Connect with us

News

Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth II as a Mechanic During Second World War

Published

on

Queen

Private photos of Queen Elizabeth II when she worked as a mechanic for the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) are to be sold at auction.

The photographs belong to Major Violet Wellesley, Princess Elizabeth’s driving instructor at the ATS, who insisted that the artifacts could not be sold during the monarch’s lifetime.

The lot consists of seven black and white photographs showing the 19-year-old princess in her mechanic’s uniform. Also included is the future Queen’s war department provisional driving license.

group shot

queen

Among the photos are group shots of Princess Elizabeth with other ATS girls, and some of her under the bonnet of an army truck tending to the engine.

Wellesley, who died in 1971, gave strict instructions for the photos not to be sold off until after the Queen had died so as not to offend.

The photo archive was sent to auction by the daughter of Wellesley’s close companion, whom the driving instructor had left it to.

queen in truck

queen leaning

Accompanying the photos is an account by Wellesley that she gave to Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, a royal biographer, in 1959.

Wellesley praised Princess Elizabeth’s work ethic and for getting “thoroughly dirty” in the role.

“She insisted on being treated as an ordinary ATS subaltern and of receiving no favors whatsoever,” Wellesley said.

“I remember what a lot of enjoyment she got out of being behind the scenes for a change when the King and Queen inspected our training center.”

She said that the young royal’s driving was “outstanding” for a beginner.

driving license

The Queen’s driving license lists her name as “H.R.H Princess Elizabeth” and states she has blue eyes, is 5 foot 4 inches tall, and has light brown hair.

James Grinter, the managing director of Reeman Dansie who is holding the auction, describes Wellesley’s archive as “very special.”

“The driving license is totally unique because I believe she never had a license apart from this one, she didn’t need one, hence her cars didn’t need registration plates,” he tells the BBC.

“The sale estimate is £1,000 to £2,000 [$1,147 to $2,293] but in all honesty, it will absolutely fly.”

The auction begins on November 8.


Image credits: All photos courtesy of Reeman Dansie.

Continue Reading

Recent News

Saturn Saturn
News9 hours ago

Saturn in Sidereal Pisces-March 28,2024 to February 21st 2028 by Jade Luna

I really wanted a female president governing this cycle but the chart of America would choose the hardest path, not...

Clone Rolex Clone Rolex
Fashion1 day ago

Top 5 Super Clone Rolex for Women

Super clone Rolex watches are incredibly detailed knock-offs of popular Rolex models, crafted to look and feel just like the...

Amazon Seller Account Amazon Seller Account
Business5 days ago

Transforming Dreams into Reality: A Success Story of Purchase Amazon Seller Account

Purchase Amazon Seller Account: In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of starting their own business. However,...

Shearling Leather Jackets Shearling Leather Jackets
Fashion1 week ago

Shearling Leather Jackets That Are Worth Every Penny This Winter

When winter’s chillstarts to bite, we all crave something warm, timeless, and effortlessly stylish. Enter the shearling leather jacket—a piece...

Global Enterprises Global Enterprises
Tech1 week ago

How Cloud Encryption Safeguards Data for Global Enterprises

As global enterprises continue their digital transformation journeys, data security has become a top priority. Cloud computing offers unmatched flexibility...

Character AI Character AI
Tech2 weeks ago

The Future of Character AI: Trends and Predictions for the Next Decade

If we focus on the evolution of artificial intelligence, technology has left us speechless. Now, if we pay attention to...

Moscow Moscow
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Moscow Catwalk is Becoming Increasingly Diverse

By Jackie H. Grey Moscow Fashion Week has shown that diversity enriches the phenomenon of modern clothing. Designers from around...

Carbon Emissions Carbon Emissions
Fashion2 weeks ago

The Unseen Expenses of Fashion Industry; The Impact of Carbon Emissions, in Womens High End Apparel

Fashion is commonly seen as a way to express oneself; however it carries a cost that often goes unnoticed by...

Neon Artwork Neon Artwork
Lifestyle3 weeks ago

Neon Artwork for Parties: Transform Your Events with Stunning Neon Designs

Neon artwork has revolutionized the way we think about event decor. Once confined to storefronts and bars, neon lights have...

Personal Injury Lawyer Personal Injury Lawyer
Law3 weeks ago

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte Help You Win Your Case?

Life after an accident can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a car crash or another type of personal injury incident, you’re...