Photograph of, from left to right, Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), King George VI (1895-1952), Queen Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002) and Princess Margaret (1900-2002). The group portrait, full length, depicts the family posed around King George VI's desk. King George VI is seated, his face captured in profile facing right. Princess Elizabeth stands beside him, her right arm holding the back of the chair in which he sits. Queen Elizabeth faces right, her body angled three quarters towards the camera. Beside her, Princess Margaret stands, placing both hands on the table. Princess Margaret and King George VI look at each other and smile. Mabel Hankey's miniature of Queen Elizabeth, when The Duchess of York, 1917 sits on the table. The photograph was taken at Windsor Castle.

During the war years, it was important for the Royal Family to symbolise unity, stability and hope for the whole nation, as well as for troops and people across the world. In this group photograph, the family, or ‘us four’ as the king referred to them, are portrayed in plain, sombre clothing, seemingly engaged in conversation. Though the king’s despatch boxes are visible in the foreground, they are portrayed as an ordinary British family, providing a reassuring sense of calm and domesticity.