New Queen exhibition honors the 'incredible' wartime service of Her Majesty

The new Queen exhibition is a poignant collection of photographs exploring her enduring commitment to the armed services

A new Queen exhibition honors Her Majesty's service during times of war
(Image credit: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

At the Imperial War Museum in London, Crown and Conflict: Portraits of a Queen in Wartime is a new exhibition of poignant photographs exploring the tireless commitment the Queen has shown during times of war.  


Her Majesty the Queen is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, with 2022 packed full of Platinum Jubilee 2022 celebrations to mark her 70th year on the throne.

Throughout those 70 years, the Queen has been a guiding figure through times of war and unrest, and she has shown an unwavering commitment to her country during times of conflict. Her commitment to her service included the then Princess Elizabeth answering the call of duty with the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.

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Aged just 19, Princess Elizabeth joined the auxiliaries, training as a driver and mechanic with the rank of Second Subaltern, before being promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain.

In doing so, she became the first female royal to serve on a full-time, active basis.

Since then, Her Majesty has always been a presence for the armed services and this will be honored in the new exhibition, Crown and Conflict: Portraits of a Queen in Wartime at the London Imperial War Museum.

The collection is made up of newly digitized photographs including an image of a young Princess Elizabeth dressed in overalls and cap while working on a vehicle during her time in the Auxiliaries, and another captured with her father King George VI, and mother Queen Elizabeth during a visit to forces in 1944.

The Queen has remained an active presence among the armed forces

(Image credit: RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In addition to these, newer images will show the Queen carrying out official duties such as meeting with members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and leading the annual Service of Remembrance.

Crown and Conflict: Portrait of a Queen in Wartime, runs until January 8, 2023.

Jack Slater
Freelance writer

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.


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