King George VI; Queen Elizabeth II; Princess Margaret; Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

1 portrait of Princess Margaret

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© Cecil Beaton / Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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King George VI; Queen Elizabeth II; Princess Margaret; Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1942
9 5/8 in. x 7 5/8 in. (243 mm x 195 mm)
Given by Cecil Beaton, 1968
Photographs Collection
NPG x12136

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist or producer associated with 1113 portraits, Sitter associated with 360 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Pepper, Terence, Beaton Portraits, 2004 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 February - 31 May 2004), p. 72 Read entry

    His study of the Royal Family looking at their photographs album immediately humanised the subjects and helped to underline the key role that the nation’s First Family could play in a country at war.

  • Pepper, Terence, Beaton Portraits, 2004 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 February to 31 May 2004), p. 72

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1942back to top

Current affairs

The Oxford Committee for Famine Relief is founded in Oxford with the aim of sending food through the Allied blockade of Nazi-Occupied Greece. The organisation continued after the war to relieve suffering as a result of the war in Europe, and eventually to help distressed peoples internationally. It gradually became known as Oxfam, after its telegraph address, and is now one of the largest international development and aid agencies.

Art and science

Desert Island Discs is broadcast for the first time. Each week a famous guest is invited to select which eight pieces of music they would choose to take if they were castaway on an island. The show is still going and is the longest running music programme on radio.
Enid Blyton publishes her first Famous Five children's book: Five On A Treasure Island.

International

The Allied forces sign the 'Declaration by United Nations', pledging the signatories to fight together until the end of the war and establishing an international organisation with the aim of upholding world peace and security with Sir Gladwyn Jebb as the first Secretary General.
In Berlin, senior Nazis plan the 'Final Solution' to exterminate European Jews, and start building death camps to carry it out.

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