During World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Canada’s capital to address urgent wartime matters. It was in Ottawa that Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh captured one of the most famous portraits of the 20th century—a powerful and moody image of Churchill that quickly became an iconic symbol worldwide. But how did this legendary photograph come to be? And what brought Churchill to Ottawa in the first place? Read more on ottawayes.com.
Why Did Winston Churchill Visit Ottawa During World War II?
Canada played a significant role in World War II, actively fighting on the side of the Allied forces, alongside Britain, France, the United States, China, and other nations. As one of Britain’s key allies in the fight against Nazi Germany, Canada was deeply involved in the war effort. Churchill needed to meet with Canadian leaders in person to discuss military operations, provide updates, and coordinate strategies.
Churchill’s visit to Ottawa took place in 1941, immediately after he had crucial war negotiations with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt regarding the fight against Nazi Germany.
The British Prime Minister met with Canadian officials at Ottawa’s Château Laurier Hotel, where he delivered a powerful speech. During his address, Churchill:
- Mocked a 1940 French government statement, which predicted that Britain would inevitably fall to Nazi Germany.
- Announced Britain’s alliances with the Soviet Union and the United States, which had just entered the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the launch of Operation Barbarossa.
Back in 1940, Britain was on the brink of collapse under Hitler’s forces. However, thanks to Churchill’s resilience and decisive leadership, the nation continued to fight back, actively participating in military operations and resisting Nazi advances.
The Famous Photograph of Britain’s Wartime Leader
The now-legendary photograph of Winston Churchill was taken immediately after his speech to the Canadian government at Château Laurier. The man behind the lens was Yousuf Karsh, one of Canada’s most celebrated photographers of the 20th century.
Photographing the iconic leader was no easy task. When Karsh asked Churchill to prepare for the shot, the Prime Minister gruffly responded that the photographer had only two minutes—and promptly lit a cigar.
Karsh wanted to capture Churchill’s power and determination, so he politely asked him to remove the cigar. Churchill flatly refused. Thinking quickly, Karsh approached Churchill under the guise of adjusting the lighting—and suddenly snatched the cigar from his mouth. “Excuse me, sir,” he said.
Churchill was visibly stunned. His expression darkened, and his face hardened into a fierce, defiant scowl—which is exactly what Karsh captured in that moment. This powerful image became one of the most famous portraits ever taken, later appearing on the cover of Life magazine.
After the shoot, Churchill—now amused by the photographer’s boldness—smiled and offered to pose for another shot. As he left, he shook Karsh’s hand and remarked:
“You could even make a roaring lion stand still for a photograph.”