Their marriage ceremony passed off in opposition to the backdrop of post-war austerity, with Britain nonetheless recovering from the destruction and shortages attributable to the Second World Battle.
But the wedding of the 21-year-old princess and the previous Greek prince supplied a uncommon second of celebration and optimism.
Their relationship had largely been saved out of public view, regardless of having deepened a number of years earlier after Philip spent Christmas at Windsor Citadel in 1943 whereas serving as a naval officer aboard HMS Wallace.
A royal historian mentioned, “What many individuals neglect is that this was not a whirlwind romance. By the point the engagement was introduced, Elizabeth had admired Philip for years and had shaped a remarkably sturdy impression of him whereas she was nonetheless an adolescent, when she was as younger as 13.”
The supply added: “Regardless of issues in some royal circles about Philip’s background and suitability, Elizabeth’s dedication by no means actually wavered. These round her may see she believed he supplied one thing very totally different from the extra typical figures who moved inside royal society.”
Throughout Philip’s Christmas go to to Windsor in 1943, Elizabeth, then 17, is claimed to have advised her governess that he was “the one.”
The King’s personal secretary later noticed the younger couple “frisked and capered away until close to 1 am.”