The Second World War saw many European governments forced into exile. The Dutch government fled to London in 1940 and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was able to provide moral support for Dutch people living in occupied Europe through continued radio broadcasts. The relationship between the British and Dutch Royal families deepened during this turbulent time.

In 1941, George VI and Queen Elizabeth entertained exiled European Heads of State at Buckingham Palace. Here, pictured from left to right: Queen Marie of Yugoslavia; Hana Benešova (wife of the President of Czechoslovakia); Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands; Jadwiga Raczkiewicz (wife of the President of Poland); King George VI; King Peter II of Yugoslavia; King Haakon VII of Norway; Queen Elizabeth; Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz, President of Poland; Edvard Beneš, President of Czechoslovakia.