Operation Candid | Queen Elizabeth II Secret Role in a Nuclear WW3

Queen Elizabeth II, one of history’s most enduring monarchs, lived through the defining conflicts of the 20th century—World War II and the Cold War.
From her wartime service as a young princess to her role as a symbol of stability during the nuclear tensions of the Cold War, her life was deeply shaped by global conflict.

In this video, we explore her contributions during World War II, top-secret plans to protect the monarchy, and Britain’s Cold War survival strategies, including the Coats Mission, Operation Candid, and the Central Government War Headquarters in Corsham.
Princess Elizabeth’s Role in World War II
When World War II broke out in 1939, Princess Elizabeth was just 13 years old. While many British children were evacuated, the royal family remained in Britain, with Elizabeth and her sister Margaret staying at Windsor Castle. Determined to contribute to the war effort, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in 1945 at age 18, training as a mechanic and military truck driver. This made her the first female member of the royal family to actively serve in the armed forces. Her experience repairing and maintaining vehicles reflected her deep sense of duty—an attitude that would define her reign as queen.
The Coats Mission: A Secret Plan to Protect the Royal Family
During the war, British military officials devised contingency plans in case of a German invasion. One such operation was The Coats Mission, named after Major James Coats. This secret plan aimed to evacuate the royal family to a secure location if London came under attack. The operation included strategies to move King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), and the young princesses to the countryside—or even abroad—if necessary. However, the royal family famously refused to leave Britain, with Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) declaring, “The children won’t go without me, I won’t leave the King, and the King will never leave.” Their determination became a symbol of British resilience.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Cold War
After World War II, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, as the world entered the tense era of the Cold War. With the growing threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union, Britain developed contingency plans to ensure the survival of its government. The Queen, though a constitutional monarch, played a key diplomatic role, fostering relationships between NATO allies and Commonwealth nations. She met with global leaders, from U.S. presidents to Soviet officials, helping to maintain international stability during a time of uncertainty.
Operation Candid: The Queen’s Nuclear War Survival Plan
During the Cold War, Britain created Operation Candid, a highly classified plan to protect the monarchy in case of a nuclear attack. The operation outlined secret locations where Queen Elizabeth and senior royals would be evacuated to maintain national leadership. Unlike other government officials who had designated bunkers, the Queen’s survival strategy relied on constant movement between secure rural locations, ensuring she remained out of enemy radar. These top-secret plans highlighted the monarchy’s vital role in maintaining British morale during potential nuclear conflict.
The Central Government War Headquarters: Britain’s Underground Bunker
Deep beneath Corsham, Wiltshire, the Central Government War Headquarters (CGWHQ)—also known as Burlington—was built as an underground command center to house government officials in the event of nuclear war. This vast 35-acre facility featured living quarters, an underground railway, a BBC studio for emergency broadcasts, and essential supplies for long-term survival. Though Queen Elizabeth was not expected to reside there, her government’s survival strategy revolved around this bunker as a last resort to ensure Britain’s continuity during a nuclear crisis.
From her wartime service as a young princess to her leadership in the face of Cold War tensions, Queen Elizabeth II was a defining figure in Britain’s modern history. Join us as we uncover her incredible journey through these pivotal moments in world history.

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Chapters:

00:45 Introduction
01:50 Background to the British Constitutional Monarchy
06:57 WW2 and The Coats Mission
17:50 The Cold War and Getting out of London
20:00 Operation Candid and The Central Government War Headquarters
25:30 Operation Python and The Floating Bunker
34:50 Queen Elizabeth's Legacy

#QueenElizabethII #WWII #ColdWar #RoyalFamily #History #BritishMonarchy #WorldWar2 #ColdWarHistory

[edn-nyuk]

one of the best QEII videos on youtube!

[erikhouston]

Yes I might be a yankee but I do appreciate a good piece of history. Cheers from America!

[SnorreSelmer]

35:22 The "comic" and later animated movie "When the wind blows" really made an impact on me. How it called out the futility of the tips given in those safety-pamphlets...

[paulconnell]

Thanks for a great show. I was 13 when Threads was shown and remember watching it. It's still the most horrifying film I've ever seen. We also read "Brother in the Land" in our English class. The early '80s could be scary times!

[gapa]

Loving your content mate. Your Cold War videos are the best on the internet. Incredible stuff. Thanks.

[davidsmith]

Minor point - at 6.02, the face on the recruiting posters wasn’t HM King George V - it was Field Marshal Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener. The very first bomb dropped on the UK by a Zeppelin was, by sheer chance, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. If didn’t cause any damage but left a crater which filled with water and was known as Wolferton Splash and where HM King George VI enjoyed shooting game birds. HM The Late Queen Elizabeth II disliked travelling by helicopter and avoided it whenever possible. Her mother, in contrast, loved them.

[JimmyStewartjimmy]

I often wondered what happened to the Cival Defence, and now, at 81, I find out with this video. It was disbanded after the end of the Cold War. You learn something every day.

[twentyrothmans]

Thanks, Andy!
Splendid research. Her Majesty was one thing, but we certainly need a safe place very deep underground for our politicians.
My own protection protocols have been thought out, and rehearsed. If the balloon goes up, I'll neck a litre of overproof single malt.
As an aside, was back for another visit at Das Klo in Berlin last week, ran into a bloke and his wife - he was celebrating his 60th. Ex Army, he'd been in Berlin in the old days. Gary, if you're reading this, hope you had a good one.

[j.granger]

The UK would be in better shape now if Queenie had direct rule. The UK would still have steel, coal, and an auto industry. More importantly, a navy.

[edalder]

"Threads" is the scariest horror movie that I have ever seen.

[Jamesy]

Fantastic work as always Andy. It’s really coming across how much continuous effort you’re putting in to improve on your skills, which is reflected in the amount of features you’re coming up with. Impressive as ever, love what you’re doing.

I’ve never been able to bring myself to watch Threads as the reality is too terrifying to consider.

[saabt]

Best channel on Youtube. Please keep making this high quality content, it's much better than 99% of what else is out there. Thanks!

[MartiniHenry]

Thanks Andy, a fantastic video, very well researched as usual. As well as RY Britannia, there was a contingency for the Queen to use one of Caledonian MacBrayne's ferries, MV Hebrides & her two sister ships had been designed with decontamination facilities. Thanks once again, Steve

[MAXERNEST]

Threads was the scariest thing my generation ever saw with regards to at the time a real possibility it could happen, it was more striking in its message as it was set in Sheffield my old home town, i knew the locations depicted in the film so well., some of my friends had parts as extras in the production, also i remember the protect and survive info, 1940 style info for a modern nuclear strike was a joke, hiding under the stairs would be futile. :} there were no bunkers for us , only to face a nuclear winter .

[holgerandersengrn]

Another super interesting video, a bit frightening — thank you for it and for your great work. Even though I live in Denmark, I clearly remember the circumstances. In the late 1970s, I was part of the Royal Life Guards, tasked with protecting our Queen in the government bunker.

[frankknudsen]

Your knowledge and insight into events and the mechanisms of the monarchy in the past and its direct relativity to the present are crystal clear, and I truly appreciate your content and continuing efforts. Thanks ever much

[michenorman]

Strange to think that the BBC used to be a trusted and reputable news channel

[steve]

Brilliant! Great work Andy, keep it up! I always look forward to your videos!
Frightening that I feel we are slipping back to those threatening days of the cold war where the whims of a mad man either east or west of us could potentially dictate the future of civilisation.
I'm old enough to just remember the final years of the Cold War, I remember in my very early years worrying about nuclear bombs even though I was probably too young to properly understand the threat they posed.
Alas, current events will make for good future "YouTube" videos if the format still exists!😆

P.S Threads is one of those films that imprints in your mind😱Will never forget!

[mikebillett]

Another great video Andy, I grew up in Corsham in the 70's and we knew about Burlington, although never fully understodd the importance until the documents were released. Some of the braver kids used to go into Box Railway tunnel and talked of how they found a railway platform in there that serviced Burlington, some urbex explorers (trespassers) have made videos recently where they go into Burlington...
Thanks for making this... 10/10

[charleskiel]

Another great video Andy. But I belive that the UK bunker at Corsham is more like the United States nuclear bunker in Greenbrier, West Virginia than the NORAD complex as Greenbrier was set up to be the emergency seat of the US Congress.

Interestingly enough, you can tour Greenbrier today and stay at the beautiful resort inwhich the bunker sitz.