Waking as Princess Lillibet

London, 1933. It was early morning, and soft yellow dawn glowed gently through the curtains and into a sumptuous bedroom. Outside a chorus of birds sang.

Many young girls dream of becoming a princess, but for a certain seven-year-old, that dream need not end upon waking. The girl opened her eyes and looked around the room. For a brief moment, she forgot where she was – she had only recently returned from a Fall break at the wild and beautiful Balmoral Estate in Scotland, and this morning was her first day back at home. She lived in Windsor Lodge, London – one of the many homes belonging to her family, who happened to be British Royalty.

They were an extraordinary family and she was an extraordinary girl – she was Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary – affectionately known as Princess Lillibet. Her blue eyes sparkled as she imagined all the possibilities of the day stretching before her.

A Wardrobe Fit for a Princess

She hurried to her wardrobe and paused, overwhelmed by options. Thoughtfully, she trailed her fingertips over the different fabrics; silk, fine wool and a variety of pretty colors, shades of pastel and floral prints. Her style was classic, elegant and quintessentially English. No matter what she wore, the princess looked impeccable.

Her lady’s maid helped select the right outfit. She considered a floral dress with a lace collar, but finally settled on a deep pink, fine wool dress with a matching cardigan. A pair of shiny black Mary Janes completed the look. With her hair styled into soft waves, the princess was polished and ready for the day.

My Sister, My Best Friend

Elizabeth joined her family for breakfast. Her younger sister, Princess Margaret, wore an identical outfit to her own. The sisters loved matching. The two were inseparable, a 1930s version of Elsa and Anna from Disney’s, Frozen.

First Work…

After breakfast it was straight to the schoolroom for lessons. The princesses were home-schooled by England’s finest tutors, learning all manner of subjects: French, English, Mathematics… They found History especially fascinating as it directly related to their own family heritage.

Elizabeth was an intelligent student, bright and quick to learn. She found schoolwork easy, but today, she stole longing glances out the window and onto the bright sunlit lawn… she loved to be outdoors, and it was such a beautiful day.

…Then Play! Ponies, Playhouses and Puppies

Once morning lessons were over, the princesses were free to play. They enjoyed spending time outdoors, and the good weather warranted a wardrobe change. The girls changed into more outdoorsy clothing: Fine tweed kilts and smart jackets with hardy leather brogues.

Naturally, they went straight to the stables where royal staff tended to their beloved horses. Elizabeth had learned to ride when she was just three and a half years old, practicing on a toy pony in her garden.  By seven, she could ride unaided. Her first pony, a Shetland named Peggy, was a treasured birthday gift from her grandfather.

The gardens at Windsor Lodge were a paradise for the sisters. The most magical feature was an exquisite playhouse, a replica of a miniature Welsh cottage designed by architect Edmund Willmut.

The princesses were always accompanied by two energetic peach-colored dogs trotting behind them. The princesses received the two corgis earlier that year as a special gift. Princess Elizabeth in particular adored the dogs and would later develop a lifelong fascination with the breed

Time For Creativity

After a blissful sunlit riding lesson it was time for Princess Elizabeth to relax with calmer indoor pursuits. Today,, many seven-year-olds play with electronic toys, some even own smartphones or tablets. But Elizabeth’s childhood happened long before television, and her hobbies reflected the times. She took singing and dancing lessons. On this particular afternoon she enjoyed watercolour painting.

The Princess and the Piano

The day passed pleasantly. Wearing an elegant floral-print dress with lace collar, the Princess sat to dinner with her family. Later, she and Princess Margaret would entertain the family with music. Perched on the piano stool, side-by-side the sisters showcased their latest duet. These were the carefree days of Elizabeth’s childhood, the days before even she knew what responsibilities lay in store. The role of heir to the throne was bestowed on her aged ten, following the abdication of her Uncle Edward VIII.

Elizabeth took the throne at 21…

With it came much responsibility. By all accounts, her childhood was everything a princess could dream. Little did she know how much her princess education would prepare her to become Queen.