 During World War II , the King and Queen became symbols of the fight against fascism . Shortly after the declaration of war , The Queen 's Book of the Red Cross was conceived . Fifty authors and artists contributed to the book , which was fronted by Cecil Beaton 's portrait of the Queen and was sold in aid of the Red Cross . Elizabeth publicly refused to leave London or send the children to Canada , even during the Blitz , when she was advised by the Cabinet to do so . She declared , " The children won 't go without me . I won 't leave the King . And the King will never leave . " 
