Princess Elizabeth | Queen Elizabeth II's journey to the throne
CHANNEL | BBC Television Service
FIRST BROADCAST | 01 February 1952
DURATION | 5 minutes 12 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1952
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 former 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.
This trip was meant to be the first part of a 30,000-mile journey across four continents. The royal couple had planned to go on to Australia and New Zealand, but King George VI died only five days after this farewell at the airport. The intended journey finally took place in 1954, after Princess Elizabeth had become Queen.
A message from Princess Elizabeth to the Nation's children.
Princess Elizabeth celebrates the achievements and service of the YWCA.
A tribute to the people and ideals of the British Empire and Commonwealth.
Princess Elizabeth's speech to the Commonwealth from Cape Town.
BBC television film on the royal tour of South Africa in 1947.
The betrothal of Princess Elizabeth is announced.
Newsreel of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
The announcement that Princess Elizabeth has had a son.
Newsreel footage of the young Princess Elizabeth busy with her state duties.
A warm Lancashire welcome for the royal couple as they visit Liverpool and Manchester.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh meet delighted crowds.
A visit to Sark, Jersey and Guernsey by the royal couple.
Newsreel of the first public appearance of Princess Anne.
An enthusiastic welcome in Athens for Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.
President Truman welcomes the royal couple to Washington DC.

King George VI's final farewell to his eldest daughter.
A report on how Princess Elizabeth was informed of her father's death.
BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.