The portrait shows Prime Minister Winston Churchill with a posture and facial expression which rings very poignant for the time, as the U.K. was battling Germany and its allies during World War II. Karsh, recounting the events later, said the prime minister had refused to put down his cigar, and its smoke was interfering with the image. Just before taking the photograph, Karsh said, "Forgive me sir," while snatching the cigar from his mouth. According to the photographer, "By the time I got back to the camera, he looked so belligerent, he could have devoured me". Following the photo Churchill stated, "You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed," giving the picture its name.