King George VI visiting the Surrey Docks.

King George VI visiting the Surrey Docks. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: H3773

Description: During the war, King George VI (1936-52) visited troops, munitions factories, docks and bomb-damaged areas to raise support for the war effort. Rather than fleeing London for the safety of North America, the royal family remained at Buckingham Palace during the Blitz, which was itself bombed in September 1940. While surveying the damage the Queen famously said: 'I'm glad we have been bombed; I feel I can look the East End in the face.' The actions of the King and Queen during the war years greatly added to the prestige of the monarchy, which had suffered greatly from the controversy surrounding the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936.

Creator: Unknown

Date: September 1940

Credit line: Southwark Library collection