Елизабета Втора беше на 20 годишна возраст кога почна граѓанската војна во Грција, и беше политички активна и веќе во среден процес на спремање за тронот.
Можда не е директен виновник за случувањата во војната, али сигурно немаше да биде друг исход ако имаше збор. Беше едногласен поддржувач на татко и, особено кога осети дека ќе нема долг век бидејки беше страствен пушач.
The stress of the war had taken its toll on the King's health,
[101][102] made worse by his heavy smoking[103] and subsequent development of lung cancer among other ailments, including arteriosclerosis and Buerger's disease. A planned tour of Australia and New Zealand was postponed after the King suffered an arterial blockage in his right leg, which threatened the loss of the leg and was treated with a right lumbar sympathectomy in March 1949.[104] His elder daughter Elizabeth, the heir presumptive, took on more royal duties as her father's health deteriorated. The delayed tour was re-organised, with Elizabeth and her husband,
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, taking the place of the King and Queen.