Death of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
Elizabeth was born the ‘Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon’ on 4 August 1900.
In January 1923 she became engaged to HRH The Duke of York, Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George.
They were married on 26th April 1923 in Westminster Abbey.
They had two children, Princess Elizabeth, born on 21st April 1926, and Princess Margaret, born on 21st August 1930.
When King Edward VIII abdicated on 11th December, his brother, Albert, Duke of York, was proclaimed King George VI.
Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth – the first British-born Queen consort since Tudor times.
After her husband, the King’s, death in 1952, The Queen Mother continued her public duties in the UK and overseas.
These included over 40 official visits abroad, including a 1989 visit to Canada which marked the 50th anniversary of her first visit there.
Her Majesty was Patron or President of some 350 organisations. She was Commandant-in-Chief of the Army and Air Force Women’s Services, and for Women in the Royal Navy, and held other Service appointments.
For many years she was President of the British Red Cross Society, and she was Commandant-in-Chief of the Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
She was also Colonel-in-Chief or Honorary Colonel of many UK and overseas regiments, and Commandant-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School.
On 30th March 2002, Elizabeth died in her sleep at 3:15pm, at the Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park.
Her surviving daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, was at her bedside.
She had reached the great age of 101!
Noted for her humour and easygoing nature, the “Queen Mum,” as she became affectionately known, was one of the most popular and admired members of the royal family.
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