Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: Graciously Playing The Hand That Fate Had Dealt Her

Born in 1900 at the end of the long reign of Queen Victoria who was followed to the throne in 1901 by her son Edward VII, she participated in the coronation day of her future father-in-law, King George V, in 1910 from her privileged vantage point - a window along the procession route. She lived through two world wars, the great depression, and 1936 - the year of three kings and the abdication crisis. She witnessed history from the introduction of automobiles and space travel to telephones with transatlantic connections to mobile telephones with satellite transmitters. She cheered her country's subjects in their finest moments and cheerfully supported them in their darkest hour. Her esteem was won as the young Duchess of York who prided herself on her role as wife and mother. This esteem increased as she came to be thought of as the mother to the nation and finally the world's most famous grandmother. The actor-author Noel Coward said after meeting her, "I am at her feet. She is a woman of infinite grace of mind, charm, humor and deep-down kindness. In addition to which she looks enchanting.' Adolph Hitler called her "the most dangerous woman in Europe". She is credited with being a dignified yet caring and accessible monarch who, while maintaining her reserve - and a slight air of mystery - held the monarchy together and represented the best parts of the 20th Century. She will be missed.

Born into a life of privilege, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon lived an Edwardian childhood of the storybook kind between her family homes of Glamis Castle, Scotland, St. Paul's, Waldenbury, Hertfordshire and St. James in London. Real ponies, ornate dress up clothing for play, home schooling and a large, happy family were the elements of life that formed young Elizabeth's personality. A sense of duty was added to the mix with the start of WWI on her tenth birthday, August 4, 1910. During the war Glamis Castle was turned into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Elizabeth did her part by leading sing-a-longs, writing letters home for and reading letters from home to the injured to help keep their morale up. She was a favorite of the soldiers and after the war became a popular and sought after debutante. Her most ardent pursuer was Prince Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V and Queen Mary.

Though reluctant to enter into a life of strict royal protocol, Elizabeth finally accepted Bertie's third proposal and the couple married on April 26, 1923. The new Duchess of York joined her husband in his endless rounds of royal duties engaging a speech therapist to assist him with his stutter. It is said that the combination of the breathing exercises prescribed by the therapist and Elizabeth's loving support, public speaking, though still difficult for the Duke, became bearable. In April 1926 the Duchess gave birth to their first child, Princess Elizabeth. Four years later in August 1930 she gave birth to Princess Margaret Rose at Glamis Castle. The following were years of domestic happiness tempered with the performance of duty. Their little Princesses were adored by the English public and accompanied the Duke and Duchess on special occasions. By all appearances, life was idyllic for the Yorks at 145 Picadilly in London.

In January 1936 George V died and his eldest son, David, acceded as King Edward VIII. His coronation ceremony was planned for May 21, 1937, but it wasn't meant to be. As perfect as life may have been for the Yorks, the new King Edward VIII did not have any of the joys of family life as he'd yet to take a wife. The woman he finally chose to be his wife was a married divorcee named Wallis Simpson for whom he forsook the throne. On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated in favor of his younger brother, Albert Duke of York, who took the throne as George VI in honor of their father. Though neither the Duke or the Duchess wanted or felt prepared to lead the country, they stepped up to the task with the steely resolve of a couple who would do their duty to the best of their abilities.

It was the outbreak of WW II that transformed the new Queen from mother of the Princesses into mother of the nation. Her steadfast loyalty to her husband and subjects was crystallized when she made this famous reply upon the suggestion that the royal family take refuge in Canada for the duration of the war, "The Princesses will never leave without me. I will not leave without the King, and the King will never leave." She and the King lived in Buckingham Palace throughout the war against their ministers' advice. During the blitzkrieg when Buckingham Palace was itself bombed, Queen Elizabeth famously quipped, "I'm almost glad we were bombed - now I can look the East End in the face." During the war she and the King partook of the rationing of food, water and clothing along with their subjects. They walked among the rubble in order to bring comfort to those who lost their homes. She gave speeches encouraging women and children to do what they could by volunteering not only to knit - as she and her family had done during WW I - but also to take on civilian and military positions at home to assist the war effort. Her own daughter, Princess Elizabeth, joined the ATS and was trained as a truck mechanic. Queen Elizabeth led her family and her nation by example.

After the war, she and her family took a Commonwealth tour of Africa where she witnessed her eldest daughter's coming of age and pledging her life to their subjects. She comforted her husband when he sadly gave the hand of this same daughter, Elizabeth, in marriage to Prince Philip of Greece who was Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten by then. In 1948 the nation joined in the celebration of the Silver Wedding Anniversary of their King, George VI, and his Consort, Queen Elizabeth. In addressing the nation, George VI credited their marriage for his ability to carry out his duty. He said, "I make no secret of the fact that there have been times when it would have been too heavy but for the strength and comfort I have always found in my home." The next few years were spent doting over her grandchildren, Charles and Anne, and fretting over the failing health of her husband. She blamed the Duchess of Windsor for the abdication that thrust her ill prepared husband onto a rocking throne and the strain of leading the nation through the horrors of war on his rapidly declining health. Her coldness toward the Duke and Duchess of Windsor continued because of this. George VI met his end on February 6, 1952, dying peacefully in his sleep after a day of shooting in the country.

At 51 she was no longer Queen and no longer Bertie's wife. She was faced with the role of Queen Mother at an age when she still had the energy to continue contributing to the nation. She took on this new role by supporting her daughter through continuing her public engagements. She announced, "My only wish is now that I may be allowed to continue the work we sought to do together." She took on tours around the world, with a particularly successful tour of New York in 1954. There she famously said, "The Atlantic, once a wide gulf between us, is surely now a lake that links us." This statement proved true many years later with the devastation to the NY Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, by the support American's received from the Royal Family, Tony Blair, Prime Minister and the citizens alike.

She was considered by some to be the Patron Saint of Racing as she keenly enjoyed all aspects of it from owning her own horses to attending the races themselves and presenting the winners with their trophies. Fishing in the river Dee was another of her favorite pastimes. It is said she would picnic everyday while staying at the Castle of Mey, her private residence in Scotland. Whatever weather the day held - rain or wind or cold - she would be outdoors enjoying a picnic. She always loved to dance and Princess Diana was amazed to find her dancing under the disco lights at her grandson's, Prince Edward, 21st birthday party. She reportedly had a glass of gin each afternoon.

She continued her hectic, four-day workweek well into her eighty's. In the last 20 years she has amazed the world by her continuing dedication to duty. She remained a favorite of the public because of this and her ever-present smile. Her golf buggy became a symbol of her determination to not let people down. During the last decade of her life she suffered many ailments and became the oldest hip replacement patient. She underwent cataract surgery in 1995 and was said to be near blind at the time of her death. Against doctors orders she attended the funeral of her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, as recently as February. Her determination never dwindled.

The photographer, Arthur Edwards, praised her saying, "In almost 30 years, I never saw her in a bad mood." Prince Charles stated in 1978 that, "Ever since I can remember, my grandmother has been the most wonderful example of fun, laughter, warmth, infinite security and, above all else, exquisite taste." Upon her death he said, "Somehow I never thought it would come. She seemed gloriously unstoppable…" That is exactly what the rest of us were thinking, Charles. May she rest in peace.