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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ looks back at Elizabeth II's journey from Princess to Queen during the challenging and demanding years of 1940-52

• Fourteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth's first ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ broadcast on Children's Hour
• Princess Elizabeth's first Trooping The Colour from 1951
• Princess Elizabeth's 21st birthday speech

As part of plans to open up its extensive archives, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ today releases a new collection, Princess Elizabeth: The Making Of A Queen.

Made up of 19 radio and television broadcasts, spanning 12 years from 1940 to 1952, it gives audiences the opportunity to look back at how the future Queen gave heart to the country following the end of the Second World War.

Coinciding with this year's Trooping The Colour celebrations for The Queen's official birthday, the collection lets the public to take advantage of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's unique access and ability to witness defining moments in history, to make them available to audiences online.

Beginning in 1940, with Princess Elizabeth's first broadcast for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ at the age of 14 for Children's Hour, the recordings also include her speech to the Commonwealth from South Africa on her 21st birthday, the newsreel footage from the Royal wedding in 1947 and the announcement of the birth of Prince Charles.

Julie Rowbotham, Executive Producer, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive, said: "This collection provides a fascinating insight into the contribution made by Princess Elizabeth through the Second World War, and the post-war years leading up to her Coronation. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's remarkable archives enable audiences to learn much more about the time, and also the important role played by the then Princess in years that saw so much change."

This collection is the latest series to be released online which explore the cultural and political developments that shaped the 20th century.

The collection goes live today (Saturday 13 June) when it can be viewed by going online to bbc.co.uk/archive/princesselizabeth.

Through the creation of these online collections, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ hopes to release hidden treasures providing a fascinating source of socio-political history.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive, which holds nearly one million hours of TV and radio programming, serves as a reminder of how the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ evolved, and has an unrivalled record of modern British history.

Notes to Editors

Explore over 80 years of UK and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ history with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive website. Programmes, documents and images bring the past to life and reveal forgotten stories.

The collection, Princess Elizabeth: The Making Of A Queen, is the 21st collection to be released by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive and will now form a part of this permanent resource which the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has made available to UK audiences.

Trooping The Colour is broadcast live on Saturday morning, 10.30am to 12.15pm, on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One, with highlights shown on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two from 7.30 to 9.00pm.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Archive Princess Elizabeth: The Making Of A Queen collection includes the following 19 programmes:

Programmes

Children's Hour – Princess Elizabeth: A message from Princess Elizabeth on Children's Hour
Broadcast: 1940
Synopsis: The 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth sends her best wishes to the children who have been evacuated from Britain to America, Canada and elsewhere. Princess Margaret joins her to wish all children goodnight. This is the earliest recording of the future Queen in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ archives.

The 90th Anniversary of the YWCA – Speech by Princess Elizabeth: Princess Elizabeth celebrates the achievements and service of the YWCA
Broadcast: 1945
Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth addresses the Young Women's Christian Association on the event of their 90th anniversary. She pays tribute to the support the YWCA gave to women during the recent war and to the high regard in which their "Blue Cross" emblem is held by the public.

Empire Day, 1946 – Speech by Princess Elizabeth: A tribute to the people and ideals of the British Empire and Commonwealth
Broadcast: 1946
Synopsis: Aged just 20, Princess Elizabeth addresses the youth of the Commonwealth and the British Empire on Empire Day, 1946. Coming after the end of the Second World War, the speech commends the common ideals of "freedom, justice and humanity" that can be found in every corner of the Empire. The princess uses the occasion to announce her intention to spend some of the next 12 months visiting parts of the Commonwealth that she has not been to before.

The 21st Birthday of Princess Elizabeth: Princess Elizabeth's speech to the Commonwealth from Cape Town
Broadcast: 1947
Synopsis: In a speech recorded while touring South Africa and Rhodesia (today known as Zimbabwe), Princess Elizabeth expresses her thanks for messages of congratulation on her 21st birthday. She pays tribute to the people of the Empire and Commonwealth and dedicates her life to serving them.

Royal Tour of South Africa, 1947: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ television film on the royal tour of South Africa in 1947
Broadcast: 1947
Synopsis: This film shows King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) leaving London with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. The Royal Family's arrival in Cape Town marks both the beginning of their journey across South Africa and the first state visit since 1939 and the outbreak of the Second World War.

News – Announcement of the Royal Betrothal: The betrothal of Princess Elizabeth is announced
Broadcast: 1947
Synopsis: The Seven O'Clock News reports the formal announcement of Princess Elizabeth's engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. As was customary at the time, newsreader Ronald Fletcher delivers the text of the court circular before offering best wishes to the happy couple on behalf of the listeners at home.

The Royal Wedding, 1947: Newsreel of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten
Broadcast: 1947
Synopsis: Though the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was broadcast live on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio, highlights were also screened on television later that day. This mute film, which shows the Royal couple leaving Westminster Abbey and their appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, was originally broadcast with narration delivered live from the TV studios.

The Birth of Prince Charles: The announcement that Princess Elizabeth has had a son
Broadcast: 1948
Synopsis: A late-night news item broadcasts the announcement from Buckingham Palace that Princess Elizabeth "was safely delivered of a prince". Newsreader John Snagge confirms that both mother and baby are doing well, before offering "royal congratulations" on behalf of the listeners.

News – Princess Elizabeth at Coventry and Oxford: Newsreel footage of the young Princess Elizabeth busy with her state duties
Broadcast: 1949
Synopsis: Devastated during the Blitz, Coventry welcomes Princess Elizabeth, who has arrived to mark the regeneration of the city. She inaugurates a new civic scheme, lays the foundation stone of a shopping centre and visits an open-air display of cars and aircraft. This newsreel also shows the princess receiving an honorary degree at Oxford University, where she watches a masque performed by the dramatic society and a horse.

News – Royal Visit to Lancashire: A warm Lancashire welcome for the Royal couple as they visit Liverpool and Manchester
Broadcast: 1949
Synopsis: The Royal train pulls into Lime Street station and crowds of jubilant Liverpudlians throng the streets as Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh make their way to the docks for the opening of a new lock. A reception at the town hall follows and then a visit to Liverpool's new cathedral. Manchester played host the following day with a civic tour and a factory visit, which topped off the busy programme of events.

News – Royal Visit to Alderney: Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh meet delighted crowds
Broadcast: 1949
Synopsis: The entire population of Alderney turns up to greet the Royal couple when they visit the island as part of their tour through the Channel Islands. Princess Elizabeth gives a speech in which she commends the bravery of the islanders under German occupation during the Second World War.

News – Channel Islands Welcome Royal Visitors: A visit to Sark, Jersey and Guersey by the Royal couple
Broadcast: 1949
Synopsis: Cheering crowds line the streets as the Royal couple continue their tour of the Channel Islands. During visits to Jersey, Guernsey and Sark, they meet islanders and discover more about their way of life. On the tiny island of Sark, Prince Philip voices his admiration for the conduct of the islanders during the war.

News – Princess Anne's First Journey: Newsreel of the first public appearance of Princess Anne
Broadcast: 1950
Synopsis: Princess Elizabeth makes a public appearance just one month after the birth of her second child and only daughter, Princess Anne. Accompanied by Prince Charles, the mother and child make their way to King's Cross to board a train taking them to Balmoral.

News – Princess Elizabeth in Athens: An enthusiastic welcome in Athens for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh
Broadcast: 1950
Synopsis: In the brilliant sunshine of Athens, the Royal couple are welcomed by King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece at the start of their week-long visit to the city. The streets are lined with cheering crowds and officials in national dress as the Royal couple tour Athens and go sightseeing at the Acropolis. The report ends with stunning images of the Parthenon at sunset.

Trooping The Colour: Princess Elizabeth takes the salute for the first time
Broadcast: 1951
Synopsis: King George VI is unable to attend Trooping the Colour due to ill health, so his place is taken by his daughter, Princess Elizabeth. The princess, riding side-saddle, wears a modified version of the regiment's uniform. The young Prince Charles rides alongside his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), and his aunt, Princess Margaret, in a horse-drawn carriage. The colour trooped is that of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Princess Elizabeth in Washington DC: President Truman welcomes the Royal couple to Washington DC
Broadcast: 1951
Synopsis: After an extensive tour of Canada, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Washington DC and get a warm welcome from President Harry S Truman on behalf of the people of the United States. Princess Elizabeth's response stresses the friendly ties between the United States and the British Commonwealth and their mutual commitment to freedom and peace.

News – The King and Queen see the Royal Departure: King George VI's final farewell to his eldest daughter
Broadcast: 1952
Synopsis: As Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh prepare to fly to Kenya on a tour of the Commonwealth, they are waved off by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) and Princess Margaret, as well as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. After suffering an illness during the previous year, King George is greeted enthusiastically by the crowds. This would be his last public appearance.

The Death of George VI: John Snagge announces the death of King George VI
Broadcast: 1952
Synopsis: John Snagge reads the formal announcement from Sandringham that King George VI has died peacefully in his sleep. Expressing sympathy for the Queen and the Royal Family on behalf of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, he concludes by informing listeners that the rest of the day's publicised schedule has been cancelled, aside from news bulletins and essential shipping forecasts.

News – Princess Elizabeth in Kenya: A report on how Princess Elizabeth was informed of her father's death
Broadcast: 1952
Synopsis: Frank Gillard provides an eye-witness account from Nairobi, Kenya, where Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have just brought their holiday to an abrupt end following the announcement of the death of King George VI. With their outpost being so remote, the sad news has taken some time to reach the Royal party, but arrangements are made for the new Queen to return home immediately.

DM