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WW II - Princess Elizabeth working as a mechanic
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WW II - Princess Elizabeth working as a mechanic
World War II - Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth 2nd training as a secoond subaltern in the ATS - working as a mechanic, taking out the plugs of a car
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Media ID 23418034
© Mary Evans / Pump Park Photography
Adult Conflict Defeat Global Mechanic Plugs Subaltern Taking Victory Elizabeth
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a young Princess Elizabeth of Britain, later to become Queen Elizabeth II, in her role as a Second Subaltern in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during World War II. The image shows the future monarch, dressed in her military uniform, intently working on the engine of a car, with a wrench in hand and a determined expression on her face. The year is 1945, and the world is in the throes of a global conflict that would come to be known as the deadliest in human history. The war had already seen the defeat of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, but the Allied Powers were still engaged in battles against Japan in the Pacific and Asia. Princess Elizabeth, who was then just 21 years old, had joined the ATS in 1945, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Princess Margaret, who had also enlisted. The ATS was a women's auxiliary of the British Army, and its members performed various non-combat roles, including mechanics, drivers, clerks, and cooks. Princess Elizabeth's decision to join the ATS was a bold move, defying the traditional role of royal women as mere symbols of the monarchy. Her participation in the war effort helped to boost morale and inspire the British people, who saw her as a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. This photograph is a poignant reminder of a bygone era, a time when the world was united in the struggle against tyranny and oppression. It also serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Princess Elizabeth, who would go on to become one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history, reigning for over 70 years until her death in 2022. The image captures a moment in time when the future Queen was not just a symbol of the monarchy, but a working woman, contributing to the war effort and proving that even a princess could get her hands dirty.
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