When did the Queen serve in the armed forces?

Question

The quesion says it all.

:)

Answer 1

Princess Elizabeth wasn't very old during the war. Victory in Europe day was just two weeks after her 19th birthday.

  In the last few months of the war, she persuaded her father to let her join the The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a mechanic and an ambulance driver. She went through the basic training (the first time she had been to school with other students).

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Despite the cynicism of one blogger, the royal couple did have the advantage of sleeping in Windsor Castle, but they spent a great deal of time in Buckingham Palace as well. The German's were deliberately targeting the palace. The heaviest bombing occured when Elizabeth was 14 years old. At one point a bomb dropped just 80 yards from where her parents were sitting, and destroyed the royal chapel. The decision not to evacuate the family to Canada (or even Scotland) was a truly patriotic gesture, not just an empty piece of propoganda.

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There is scene in the movie, "The Queen" where Elizabeth is driving through the countryside reflecting on her thoughts and her jeep breaks down. She gets out and opens the hood. Most people in the audience assume that this is a futile act, but she calls for help and correctly diagnosis the problem and asks for assistance.

  The scene is, of course, pure fiction. It's unlikely that Elizabeth could diagnose a car problem 50 years after her training. Also, the queen is never completely alone. She would have someone trailing her at a discreet distance.

Answer 2

She has never served n the armed forces,  during WW2 occasional photo shoots were arranged showing her driving an ambulance or holding a spanner this was supposed to be good for morale

Answer 3

She was a 2/Lt in the ATS - predecessor to the Women's Royal Army Corps - in 1944-5, and seems to have enjoyed the experience.

Yes, it was a combination of good propaganda and showing willing, etc, but at least she put on uniform and got her hands dirty, unlike Margaret Thatcher, who was also of military age at the end of the war, and did not.

Answer 4

At the age of 16,Elizabeth was required by law to sign at a labour exchange. She wanted to join one of the Women's Services and had to wear her father down in order to get her way. She eventually became A Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service--"No. 230873,Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor."She learned vehicle maintenance,map reading,how to drive in convoy,among many things.The War ended at the same time her training ended.

As Queen ,she is head of all the military services.It was a good thing that she insisted on getting some training;in the 1940's this was a rarity since women often did not see war duties,many entering as nurses,not soldiers.

Answer 5

During the Second World War, when she was an Army driver, and learned to serve vehicles in the Army Motor pool. This was when women were not permitted to engage in combat roles. However, every woman who serve in support freed a man to serve in combat.

Answer 6

WW  II  She was actually a Mechanic

Best of luck

Answer 7

According to the movie, "Bertie and Elizabeth," produced by the BBC Masterpiece Theater Queenie did real good during WWII, but especially her parents were very brave and did not abandon Buckingham palace during the air raids.  Their exemplary behavior was especially appreciated by the British people, and greatly contrasted the self-centered attitude of Edward, who abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

And I'm an American!  But I love movies on the British Royalty!

Answer 8

She served during WW2 as a mechanic in the army's motorpool.  Well, that is what we get on this side of the atlantic.  Thanks!

Answer 9

It may surprise you that Princess Elizabeth served as an ambulance driver and helped carry the wounded off the ships and drive them to area hospitals. She was also trained as a mechanic  on jeeps, and trucks.

Answer 10

During World War 2.

Answer 11

served?! lmao

All she did was pose in a few pictures, they stayed in Buckingham palace because after all it's a castle... a place to protect you (duh).

Its the same story with the current *cough* princes... It's all just a big publicity stunt to make them look something they are quite obviously not... Normal everyday people, instead of posh, snobbish spongers which they will ALWAYS be.

Answer 12

WW11 .

Answer 13

long before prince charles,but charles is the toughest man we have ,have you seen all the medals he has earned,wow 4 thumbs down,isnt my answer factual enough

Answer 14

She served in  during the second world war.  there are photos of her changing a tyre on a jeep that was issued nationwide during the war.  I am not sure whether it was the ATS or the Womens Land Army but it was one of the two.

Prince Phillip was in the navy.