New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth's marriage to Philip

I can describe how Elizabeth came to marry Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth's marriage to Philip

I can describe how Elizabeth came to marry Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The nation, and Elizabeth, rejoiced when the Second World War ended in 1945.
  2. Elizabeth had spent time during the war writing to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.
  3. They had met several times before the war, and during the conflict Philip served in the Royal Navy.
  4. They were engaged in 1947; even though the war was over Elizabeth had to save up clothing rations for her wedding dress.
  5. The couple were married in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947.

Keywords

  • Royal Navy - the Royal Navy is an army that battles on the sea; it is made up of sailors, ships and submarines

  • Engaged - engaged means when two people agree to get married

  • Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey is a church in London where many members of the royal family have got married

Common misconception

Philip was always the Prince of Greece and Denmark.

Philip gave up his titles in 1947 so that he could marry Princess Elizabeth.

This chapter in Elizabeth's life is very much like a story. Narrate it like so and use extra images and story books to help. Pupils could make their own picture books to depict the sequence of when things happened.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a wedding?
A party to celebrate someone's birthday
Correct answer: A party to celebrate two people getting married
A party to celebrate someone starting school
Q2.
How did people stay in touch during The Second World War?
videocalling
Correct answer: writing letters
Correct answer: telegram
emailing
Q3.
Where was Elizabeth during the Second World War?
Correct answer: England
Australia
America
Q4.
What was rationing?
Correct answer: When everyone was given the same amount of something
When some people were given more of something and some people were given less
When things were stopped being made
Q5.
Order these events
1 - Elizabeth was born in 1926
2 - Elizabeth's father became king of England in 1936 when her uncle abdicated
3 - Elizabeth became heir to the throne
4 - The Second World War started in 1939
Q6.
A group of soldiers who fight for a country are called...
a royal family
a United Kingdom
Correct answer: an army

6 Questions

Q1.
What ended in 1945 that Elizabeth and everyone was happy about?
First World War
Correct answer: Second World War
Third World War
Q2.
Who did Elizabeth write love letters to during the war?
King George VI
Correct answer: Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark
The Archbishop of Canterbury
Q3.
What did Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark do during the Second World War?
Serve in the British Army
Serve in the German Army
Correct answer: Serve in the Royal Navy
Q4.
Even though the war was over, what did Elizabeth use to pay for her wedding dress?
Correct answer: Clothing rations
Gold and diamonds
Lots of money
Q5.
What does 'engaged' mean?
When two people agree to fight eachother
When two people agree to dance together
Correct answer: When two people agree to marry eachother
Q6.
Where did Elizabeth and Philip marry on 20 November 1947?
Correct answer: Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace
Great Windsor Park

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