Shaping culture and breaking barriers
A cheerful and graceful young adult, Elizabeth made friends easily. Among her companions were the children of King George V, one of whom was Prince Albert.
The Queen Mother was born into nobility as Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900. She spent much of her childhood at St Paul's Walden, a village in Hertfordshire, and at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. She's pictured aged two years old at Glamis.
The new duchess and her husband honeymooned at Polesden Lacey, a secluded manor house in Surrey, England. The couple also spent some time in Scotland.
Elizabeth was educated at home by a governess until the age of eight. She was fond of field sports, horses, and dogs.
On April 26, 1923, Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth married at Westminster Abbey in London. Pictured is the duke's carriage procession entering Whitehall on its way to the abbey.
Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth were often seen together in the months and weeks before their marriage. Elizabeth was already displaying a natural affinity with the public, a fact evident in this early 1923 photograph where she is walking ahead of the Duke of York while meeting a cheering crowd in the courtyard of an Edinburgh factory.
In January 1936, King George V died. His oldest son, Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. But just eight months into his reign, Edward abdicated the throne to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson, which caused a constitutional crisis. Subsequently, Albert became king—a position that he was reluctant to accept.
Prince Albert, Duke of York was the second son of the monarch. He was immediately drawn to Lady Elizabeth, captivated by her striking looks and effortless charm. The couple were soon engaged.
This is the official (and very formal) wedding portrait of the Duke and Duchess of York with her parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, as well as Queen Mary and King George V. Besides her new title of HRH Duchess of York, Elizabeth also became a princess.
In a tradition that's endured for decades, the newlyweds rode in an open carriage as they made their way back to Buckingham Palace. Crowds lined the streets in their thousands to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, who duly responded with smiles and waves.
For the first 10 years of their marriage, the Duke and Duchess of York established a happy and productive family life. They carried out their royal duties admirably, which included overseas travel. The couple are pictured on a cable car at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924.
On May 12, 1937, the Duke and Duchess of York were crowned, he as King George VI, and she as Queen Elizabeth, Queen consort. Pictured is the coronation in Westminster Abbey.
A second daughter, Princess Margaret, was born in 1930. With their family complete, the duke and duchess were looking forward to a comparatively comfortable life raising their children. But fate had something different in store.
After gazing at bombed-out homes and meeting ordinary citizens who'd been left homeless or worse, injured, Elizabeth famously remarked that she felt she could "look the East End in the face."
Neither had expected to end up king and queen. For her part, Elizabeth embraced her new status, and dedicated her life and that of her family's to serving her nation. Soon this responsibility was put to the test with the outbreak of the Second World War. In September 1940, London was heavily bombed. Among the buildings damaged was Buckingham Palace itself. The king and queen decided to see for themselves the devastation caused by enemy air raids, and toured places like the East End, an area particularly targeted.
In fact, the entire royal family stood firm with the nation throughout the conflict, with the king and queen effectively becoming symbols of the fight against fascism. The queen is pictured in 1944 with Princess Elizabeth as she chats with paratroopers preparing for D-Day.
In 1951, King George VI was diagnosed with lung cancer. He eventually succumbed to the disease on February 6, 1952. Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, immediately returned to London from an overseas tour—as queen and prince consort. Shortly afterwards, Elizabeth began to be styled as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to avoid confusion with the new reigning monarch.
In fact, Elizabeth soon became as busy as queen mother as she had been as queen consort. But throughout the rest of her life she was always careful not to overshadow her daughter's reign as queen.
She soon became the royal family's matriarch and found a new sense of purpose, which included chaperoning her daughter's children.
Such was the grief at her loss that Elizabeth briefly considered retiring from public life. But an ingrained sense of duty and a stoic resolve led her to returning to the royal fold.
Queen Elizabeth II inherited her mother's love of all things equine, especially horse racing. The Queen Mother owned several Thoroughbred race horses, and mother and daughter were often seen together on race day backing their favorite steed. They are both pictured at the prestigious Epsom Derby in 1965.
Royal Ascot was and remains one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events on the social calendar. The Queen Mother rarely missed a year and was often seen arriving with other members of the royal family. She's pictured with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1990.
The Queen Mother continued to travel extensively throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and beyond. A highlight of a 1954 tour to the United States was a visit to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City (pictured).
The milestone brought together a new generation of royals. Here, Charles and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, join the Queen Mother to acknowledge her 100th year.
In later years, the Queen Mother was known for her longevity. On August 4, 2000, she celebrated her 100th birthday. On the day, more than 40,000 well-wishers gathered in the Mall to watch the Queen Mother and her two daughters step on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace. She's pictured arriving at the palace with then-Prince Charles, to whom she was particularly close.
In December 2001, the Queen Mother's health rapidly deteriorated. On February 9, 2002, her youngest daughter, Princess Margaret, died at the age of 71. Despite her frailty, she was able to attend the funeral. Her last public appearance was on March 5, 2002. On March 30, 2002, the Queen Mother died in her sleep at her home. She was 101. Pictured gathering at Westminster Abby for the funeral are senior members of the royal family.
King Charles, who was deeply saddened by her passing, is pictured standing vigil besides the Queen Mother's coffin while it lies-in-state at Westminster Hall on April 8, 2002. Tens of thousands of mourners filed past her coffin to pay their final respects.
Pictured: the procession carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to Westminster Abbey for her funeral service.
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is still applauded for her cheerful disposition and seemingly indomitable spirit, which earned her the nickname "Smiling Duchess." She remains one of the most popular— and much missed—members of the British royal family.
Sources: (Biography) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Imperial War Museum) (The Gazette)
See also: A look back at Queen Elizabeth II's life in photos
She continued her education at private schools in London. At age 13, Elizabeth passed the Oxford Local Examination (an examination for secondary school pupils) with merit.
A matter of concern, however, was the duke's relentless stammer, which affected his ability to deliver speeches and made him nervous and insecure. With Elizabeth's full support, he began seeing an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue, who helped the prince overcome his fluency disorder. The episode is portrayed in the acclaimed 2010 film 'The King's Speech,' with Colin Firth as the future King George VI, Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth, and Geoffrey Rush as Logue.
In 1926, the couple had their first child, Princess Elizabeth—the future Queen Elizabeth II. Pictured is their daughter's christening.
The newly-crowned King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, wearing her celebrated platinum crown set with the dazzling Koh-i-Noor diamond. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret look equally regal.
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1900. She became Queen consort in 1937 and for the next 65 years remained one of the most popular members of the British royal family. And she still is, over 20 years after her death. But who was Elizabeth, and why has her memory endured?
Click through and find out more about the woman they called the "Smiling Duchess."
The Queen Mother, the most graceful of royals
Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was born on August 4, 1900
CELEBRITY Royal family
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1900. She became Queen consort in 1937 and for the next 65 years remained one of the most popular members of the British royal family. And she still is, over 20 years after her death. But who was Elizabeth, and why has her memory endured?
Click through and find out more about the woman they called the "Smiling Duchess."