In September 1939, when World War II began, the royal family including Princess Elizabeth, who would become Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Margaret became evacuees of the war and were sent to Windsor Castle. During this time, Windsor was reinstated as a wartime fortress equipped with loudspeakers, basement shelters, blackout curtains, and other things to ensure their safety during the war. Additionally, during this time, many items from the Royal Collection, including the Crown Jewels were moved from their normal storage locations to the underground areas of Windsor Castle to ensure their safety in case of any attacks.

Also, it during this wartime at Windsor Castle, in October 1940, when 14-year old Princess Elizabeth gave her first public address to the British people on BBC’s Children’s Hour in an effort to boost morale to the thousands of children who were sent to evacuate due to the war and were often separated from their parents, and in some cases even sent to other countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the US. In 1943, Princess Elizabeth continued to participate in wartime efforts by participating in the “Dig for Victory” campaign, where she planted a vegetable garden in the grounds of Windsor Castle to help combat food shortages, they were facing due to the decrease in food imports because of the war. Princess Elizabeth also spent time in Windsor Castle while she was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the war. She was promoted to Junior Commander in the ATS and trained as a mechanic.

After the war, Windsor saw Princess Elizabeth who spent so much time there as a teenager during the war, become Queen Elizabeth II and remain on the throne for 70 years. While Windsor was not a main residence for the Queen at the beginning of her reign, Windsor became her primary residence again towards the end of her life.

Console (Capt.). The Castle Guard. 30 June 1940, www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205197198. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Hawkins, Vikki. “A Princess at War: Queen Elizabeth II during World War II.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, 22 Mar. 2021, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/queen-elizabeth-ii-during-world-w.... Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Oram, Kirsty. “Royal Residences: Windsor Castle.” The Royal Family, 10 Oct. 2018, www.royal.uk/royal-residences-windsor-castle. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Royal Collection Trust. “Wartime Windsor.” Www.rct.uk, www.rct.uk/resources/wartime-windsor. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.