Long before she became the longest-reigning monarch in British history, Princess Elizabeth took part in Christmas pantomime shows with her little sister, Princess Margaret, at Windsor Castle during the Second World War. The wartime productions, staged between 1941 and 1944, offered a rare glimpse into royal family life during years shaped by rationing, uncertainty, and national strain.
Wartime Theatre Inside Windsor Castle
The pantomime productions were not merely for entertainment but also served a more serious purpose. According to The Guardian, the pantomimes at Windsor Castle were meticulously organized, complete with programs and costumes, and were used as a fundraising source during the war. The productions took place against the backdrop of Britain facing aerial attacks, food shortages, and widespread disruption. In this context, the royal family's Christmas pantomimes provided an organized escape from the difficulties of the time.
As reported, the productions ran from 1941 to 1944 and involved participants from the royal household, pupils of the Royal School, and palace workers. Unlike casual skits, these productions featured theatrical elements, with participants playing specific roles, and programs were issued before and during performances. One of the most documented productions was the pantomime titled Old Mother Red Riding Boots, performed in 1944. Princess Elizabeth, then aged 18, portrayed Lady Christina Sherwood, while her sister, Princess Margaret, then aged 14, played the Honourable Lucinda Fairfax. This indicates their active participation, rather than merely attending as royal guests.
A Rare Picture of the Young Princess Elizabeth
The surviving visual record from the pantomimes has grown even more significant in recent times. In a December 2013 gallery, publications released a selection of photographs depicting Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret in costume while performing in pantomimes based on stories like Cinderella and Aladdin at the Windsor Christmas pantomimes from 1941 to 1944. The photographs are intriguing because they show the future Queen in a setting rarely associated with her eventual public profile. Instead of formal portraits and events, this collection shows the young princesses performing in theatre plays and doing so happily.
Reportedly, the archive materials are related to Hubert Tanner, who created these productions as both writer and director. These albums have provided researchers with valuable material to compile information about the shows, including set, costume, and cast details. This is further emphasized by the fact that the shows appear to have been well organized. Much thought went into creating these productions, suggesting they were an important event at Windsor Castle during the war years.
A Carefully Managed Wartime Tradition
The audience at the pantomime shows was consistent with the production's unique nature, which lies between being entirely private and entirely symbolic. Reportedly, the audience comprised members of the royal family, palace staff, and students of the Royal School. This combination served as a source of additional meaning for the production within the royal context. As the pantomimes were private in nature, they provided a mechanism for sustaining a shared spirit during hard times. Pantomime, with its humour, costumes, and storylines, was an entertaining tradition that could be maintained despite wartime conditions.
Moreover, the pantomimes were consistent with the upbringing of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret within a society where strict upbringing and a sense of responsibility were valued. Through participation in activities involving formal acting and audiences, the princesses became part of an event that united elements of family recreation with wartime obligations.
Why the Story Still Matters
Princess Elizabeth is often remembered primarily through the lens of duty and endurance, particularly during her decades as Queen. The wartime pantomimes offer a softer and more human image of the future monarch. They depict a teenager performing with her younger sister on a small stage, despite Britain still being at war beyond the castle gates. While the performance may have been simple, it was historically significant because it demonstrated how the royal family employed drama and festivities to raise spirits during their darkest hour. For that reason, the remaining memorabilia continues to draw interest. Not only do they reflect a unique event in royal history, but they also represent a snapshot of wartime Britain.
