| There were early warning signs that Buckingham Palace may have been a target for the Luftwaffe. On September 8, a 50 kilogram (110 pound) bomb fell on the grounds of the Palace, but luckily didn’t explode, and was later destroyed in a controlled explosion. In the morning, King George VI (December 14, 1895 – February 6, 1952) and Queen Elizabeth (August 4, 1900 – March 30, 2002) were minding their own business and drinking some tea, when they heard a rumble and a crash. A German raider had dropped 5 high explosive bombs on the Palace. The Royal Chapel, inner quadrangle, Palace gates, and the Victoria Memorial were all hit by the bombs. 4 members of the Palace staff were injured, 1 of whom would die. In a letter, Queen Elizabeth described how she heard the “unmistakable whirr-whirr of a German plane” and the “scream of a bomb.” Thankfully, the King and Queen went unharmed in the incident. In a poignant statement, Queen Elizabeth also said “I am glad we have been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face.” While of course King George and Queen Elizabeth were shaken by the bombing, the incident would actually go on to bolster the reputation of the Royal Family in the eye of the British public. The King and Queen were advised by the Foreign Office to immediately flee the country. Their steadfast refusal showed courage and a commitment to the United Kingdom that the public appreciated. In a statement to the nation, the Queen exclaimed “The children will not leave unless I do. I shall not leave unless their father does, and the King will not leave the country in any circumstances, whatever.” This defiance in the face of the German Blitz gave the country a much-needed boost in their war efforts, and undoubtedly forged a sense of unity throughout the United Kingdom. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1730.jpg |
| Image Size | 549.13 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 3000 x 1838 |
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| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 14, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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