How our future Queen rewrote the rules

A teenage Princess Elizabeth danced in jubilation on VE Day after slipping into the crowds unnoticed outside Buckingham Palace, describing it as “one of the most memorable nights of my life”.

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The future Queen Elizabeth II, then just 19, and her sister Princess Margaret, 14, joined thousands of revellers as they gathered in front of the royal residence on May 8 1945.

The princesses did the hokey cokey and the Lambeth Walk, and took part in chants of “We want the King” at the Palace railings.

They walked for miles and also danced the conga through the Ritz hotel in nearby Piccadilly.

The Queen, speaking in 1985, recalled: “My sister and I realised we couldn't see what the crowds were enjoying... so we asked my parents if we could got out and see for ourselves...”

She added: “I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.”

The Queen said: “After crossing Green Park we stood outside and shouted ‘We want the King’, and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony, having cheated slightly because we sent a message into the house to say we were waiting outside.

“I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.”

She described how she was terrified of being recognised on the streets “so I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes” but was told off by a Grenadier officer who was part of their group.