Photo Of Queen Elizabeth II Giving Nazi Salute As Child Shocks Britain
LONDON, July 18 (UPI) — A British tabloid newspaper has sparked controversy by publishing an old photograph of Queen Elizabeth II — then as a 6-year-old girl — appearing to give the Nazi salute around the time Adolf Hitler rose to power.
The photo was published on Saturday by the Sun. It is a black and white image taken in the early 1930’s that British officials say was taken from a private home movie.
The photo surprised some and sparked criticism from Buckingham Palace.
“It is disappointing that film, shot eight decades ago and apparently from (Her Majesty’s) personal family archive, has been obtained and exploited in this manner,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
In the photo, Elizabeth stands alongside her mother, her 3-year-old sister, Princess Margaret, and her uncle, who would later become Edward VIII. It was taken at the royal family’s residence in Scotland.
According to a report by CNN, Edward encouraged the girls to give the salute, which they did — likely not knowing what it even stood for.
The Sun article cites a British historian as saying the image is “an important historical document that asks serious questions of the Royal Family.”
“Most people will see these pictures in their proper context and time,” a royal representative said. “This is a family playing and momentarily referencing a gesture many would have seen from contemporary news reels.”
“No one at that time had any sense how it would evolve. To imply anything else is misleading and dishonest,” the representative added.
An official said Elizabeth, who became queen in 1952, gave the gesture out of total innocence and wasn’t able to attach any meaning to it as a 6-year-old child.
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