Uniform worn by Princess Elizabeth, Women's Royal Army Corps, 1949-1953 (fabric)

Uniform worn by Princess Elizabeth when she held the honorary commission of Brigadier in the Women's Royal Army Corps, 1949-1953. Made of wool barathea by Sandon and Co Ltd, Savile Row, London. When the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) was founded in 1949 as a successor to the wartime Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) became an Honorary Senior Controller and later Honorary Brigadier. She resigned these appointments on becoming Queen in 1953. Queen Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), who had been Commandant-in-Chief of the ATS since 1940, was appointed Commandant-in-Chief of the WRAC in 1949. Above the left breast pocket are the following medal ribbons: Royal Order of Victoria and Albert; British War Medal 1939-45; King George V Silver Jubilee Medal 1935; and King George VI Coronation Medal 1937.