Queen Elizabeth inspecting a Scottish Regiment, 18 January 1940

Photograph, World War Two (1939-1945), Home Front, 1940.

Although most members of the Royal Family frequently undertook morale-raising visits to troops, factories and bombed-out civilians, Queen Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), became something of a symbol during the Second World War. Her public demeanour and seemingly indomitable spirit provided much moral support to the British public.

The soldiers depicted here were destined to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), commanded by General Lord Gort VC, which had been in France since September 1939.

One of 12 photographs associated with the Royal Family.