A viral image circulating online shows a young Queen Elizabeth II wearing a full-body robe and head covering, with social media users claiming it proves that the hijab is part of England’s historical heritage. The accompanying caption falsely suggests: “This is not a Muslim woman, this is the late Queen Elizabeth II. The idea of hijab is not alien to England but a part of its historical heritage.”
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found that the image is not related to Islamic tradition or hijab. A BBC report from Sept 2022 featured the same image, clarifying its actual context. The image shows Princess Elizabeth in 1946, at the age of 20 years, before she became Queen, participating in the National Eisteddfod of Wales held in Mountain Ash.
During this traditional Welsh ceremony, Elizabeth was invested as an honorary bard, wearing ancient ceremonial robes. Her bardic title was “Elizabeth o Windsor,” and the event marked the beginning of her lifelong connection to Welsh culture and language.
The photo’s original caption reads: “Princess Elizabeth dressed in ancient robes at the 1946 Eisteddfod.”
Conclusion
The image of Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonial robes is being misrepresented online. It has no connection to Islam or the hijab. The robes were part of a Welsh cultural ceremony, not a religious practice.
