Royalty at the 1948 Olympic Games

Royalty from around the world joined the British Royal Family for the 1948 Summer Olympics in London on this day in 1948, 75 years ago. The 1948 Olympics were the first held since the 1936 Berlin Olympics due to the Second World War.

King George VI was joined by Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and members of the British Royal Family as well as Foreign Royalty for the splendid Opening Ceremony at Wembley Stadium, where the King Declared the Games open.

The Duke of Edinburgh attended several sporting events, and was also seen with his cousin, the Duchess of Kent, and Princess Alexandra.

One of the leading guests was Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran, who was also received by the King at Buckingham Palace.

Crown Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands were also present, just a few weeks before her accession to the Dutch Throne.

Crown Prince Olav, Crown Princess Martha, Prince Harald, Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid of Norway sat immediately behind the British Royal Family at the Opening Ceremony and also attended other events.

Prince Bertil of Sweden and Prince Axel of Denmark were also among the Foreign Royalties present in London for the Olympics.

65 years later, the late Queen presided over the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

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