Queen Elizabeth II’s First Broadcast was During a “Children's Hour” Programme

Princess Elizabeth delivers her first radio broadcast in 1940. Beside her was Princess Margaret. Image from Royal Collection Trust. 

From September 1939 until 1945, Great Britain was plunged in World War II. Many of London's children were sent away to the countryside for their safety. As early as September 1939, children from all parts of the country were evacuated and by 1940, the British government sent these children to dominion countries, including Canada. However, German torpedoes aimed at Allied ships meant that it was better to keep the children in the homeland, thus, only about 13,000 were sent abroad.  It even suggested that Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret  be evacuated to Canada, but Queen Elizabeth rejected the idea. "The children won't go without me. I won't leave without the King. And the King will never leave," she said.  

At an early age, Princess Elizabeth displayed her courage and showed her dedication to her service to the nation right when the nation needed her the most. Queen Elizabeth II was only 14 years old when she  made her first-ever radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. This was at the height of the Battle of Britain and many families throughout the country have been evacuated. Her broadcast was well-received that it marked the beginning of a regular feature for children evacuees. 

Here are the transcripts of the future queen’s first-ever broadcast.

In wishing you all 'good evening' I feel that I am speaking to friends and companions who have shared with my sister and myself many a happy Children's Hour.

Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you as we know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all.

To you, living in new surroundings, we send a message of true sympathy and at the same time we would like to thank the kind people who have welcomed you to their homes in the country.

All of us children who are still at home think continually of our friends and relations who have gone overseas - who have travelled thousands of miles to find a wartime home and a kindly welcome in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America.

My sister and I feel we know quite a lot about these countries. Our father and mother have so often talked to us of their visits to different parts of the world. So it is not difficult for us to picture the sort of life you are all leading, and to think of all the new sights you must be seeing, and the adventures you must be having.

But I am sure that you, too, are often thinking of the Old Country. I know you won't forget us; it is just because we are not forgetting you that I want, on behalf of all the children at home, to send you our love and best wishes - to you and to your kind hosts as well.

Before I finish I can truthfully say to you all that we children at home are full of cheerfulness and courage. We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war.

We know, everyone of us, that in the end all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace. And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.

My sister is by my side and we are both going to say goodnight to you.

Come on, Margaret.

Goodnight, children.

Goodnight, and good luck to you all.