The 1939 royal review brought reserve ships into service

The August 1939 royal review gave the Admiralty a diplomatic reason to activate reserve ships as war approached. Publicly displaying naval strength also provided cover for the practical work of bringing ships into service. The review preparations included dry-docking and proper work-ups, and many ships remained active afterward. The resulting destroyer flotillas and other reactivated vessels were already available when war began. The illustration used during this passage is identified as a photograph of an earlier review, so it should not be read as a photograph of the August 1939 mobilization. A rumour credits George VI with seeking command of a ship during reactivation, although he did not obtain it.