During the war, Elizabeth began to take on more royal responsibilities, even at a young age. At the age of 14, she made her first public radio broadcast, addressing the children of the British Empire who were affected by the war. The broadcast, delivered alongside her sister, was a message of reassurance, and it marked her first foray into the public life that she would come to know so well.
Despite her royal status, Elizabeth lived a relatively sheltered life during the war, but she became increasingly aware of the larger political and social changes occurring around her. The royal family made several wartime visits to support British troops and the war effort, and the young princess became more closely involved in public duties.
Forming a Sense of Duty
One of the defining elements of Elizabeth’s early life was her strong sense of duty. Raised with a deep respect for tradition and service, Elizabeth was profoundly shaped by the example of her parents, particularly her father, King George VI. His stoic leadership during the war, despite his personal struggles with a speech impediment and the stress of the monarchy, greatly influenced Elizabeth. Her mother, Queen Elizabeth, was a loving and protective figure, but also one who embodied the royal ideal of duty above all else.
At an early age, Elizabeth was taught the significance of monarchy, the importance of royal duty, and the role of the monarch in serving the people. This was not merely a theoretical lesson but one put into practice through the many engagements, charitable work, and public appearances she made as a child and adolescent. shutdown123