Loading Page...

Why did the royal family stay at Buckingham Palace during ww2?

In September 1940, five high explosive bombs were dropped on the Buckingham Palace. Rather than flee the city, the King and Queen decided to remain at Buckingham Palace in solidarity with those living through the Blitz. The Queen reportedly said, “I'm glad we have been bombed.



King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) famously stayed at Buckingham Palace during WWII as a powerful act of solidarity and public morale. Despite being advised to evacuate to Canada or the English countryside for safety, the King and Queen insisted on remaining in London to share the dangers of the Blitz with the common people. This decision became even more iconic after the Palace was bombed multiple times, leading the Queen Mother to say, "I'm glad we've been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face." Their presence served as a symbol of British defiance and "Keep Calm and Carry On" spirit. While they spent their days working at the Palace to maintain a sense of government stability, they did often travel to Windsor Castle at night to sleep in a more secure, less targeted location, though the public image remained one of constant residence in the capital.

People Also Ask

Rather than move away from the danger, the King and Queen decided to remain at Buckingham Palace in solidarity with those living through the Blitz.

MORE DETAILS

During the Second World War, which broke out in 1939, the palace was bombed nine times. The most serious and publicised incident destroyed the palace chapel in 1940. This event was shown in cinemas throughout the United Kingdom to show the common suffering of the rich and poor.

MORE DETAILS

A new biography of Queen Elizabeth II has revealed the monarch was suffering from bone marrow cancer before her death.

MORE DETAILS

While her will isn't public, there have been reports on which British royal family members inherited Queen Elizabeth's estate and fortune, and which were left out completely. Read on for what we know about Queen Elizabeth's inheritances.

MORE DETAILS

There is a long history behind the British royal family becoming the one based on the constitutional monarchy. Firstly, a king who united the regions of England emerged around the 9th century. Then, in 1066, William I started the Norman dynasty. This dynasty led to the current British royal family.

MORE DETAILS