HM QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER

4th August 1900 - 30th March 2002

"Icon of the Century"; "The Nation's Favorite Grandmother"; "The Richest Jewel in the Royal Family's Crown" - these are just some of the many tributes that have been bestowed upon the Queen Mother. She was the longest-living British Royal in memory, and she witnessed some of the most significant developments and historical moments of the last century. When she was born, the British Army was fighting its last great imperial war in South Africa, aeroplanes had not yet flown, and gas lamps had not been replaced by electric lighting.

On Saturday 30th March 2002 at 3.15pm one of the favorite figures in the British Royal Family died. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was aged 101 and will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives she touched through her public appearances, good humour and royal walkabouts which she herself introduced. The Queen Mother was, essentially, a family woman. Behind all the pomp and majesty which surrounded her public duties was a contented family life made sadder by the events of later years. There can be little doubt that the Queen Mother re-invented the idea of an active Royal Family. Her powerful personality brought about many changes including the now-ubiquitous "walkabout".

The ideal of the modern Royal Family only came into its own with Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert. He instilled into his many children a belief that they should serve the nation both individually and as a model family. The Queen Mother viewed things differently. She had never expected to be Queen. The abdication thrust her and her husband, unprepared, onto the national stage. From the day of her accession as George VI's Queen, she dedicated her life and that of her family to serving the nation and to supporting the shy and retiring King in his onerous duties as sovereign. Testing times were ahead. World War II brought the terrors of the Blitz to Britain also saw the King and Queen bringing comfort to those left homeless, and worse, by the Luftwaffe's bombs.

The Royal Family, including the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, stayed in London. Many others had taken the easy option and moved to safety in the country, even to Canada, but the then Queen sat out the war in the front line with her people. And the people did not forget. With the death of her husband in 1952 and the coronation of her daughter a year later many would have expected the Queen Mother to take a back seat. But she continued to work at her royal duties.

Through more than 40 foreign tours, numerous walkabouts and countless speeches, the Queen Mother brought her special touch to thousands of people.  And she supported her daughter just as she had supported her husband. Throughout her reign, the Queen was in almost daily touch with the Queen Mother The Queen Mother's easy-going manner masked a strong will and a real understanding of what the Royal Family should, and should not, be. She was patron of more than 350 organizations and she took and active interest in each one.  She believed that, if the people were to remain loyal to the Royal Family, the family should commit itself to the people. Never before had the Royal Family undertaken so many diverse commitments.

Picture shows the then Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York visiting Barkingside

Busy grandmother

As a grandmother, the Queen Mother played an active role, looking after her grandchildren when the Queen was away on official business. The Queen Mother's relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales, was altogether more complex. Initially the two enjoyed good relations. The old Queen took the young princess, whose own position as an outsider in the Royal Family mirrored hers, under her wing. Following Charles and Diana's divorce, the friendship cooled considerably. Diana went to her grave believing the Queen Mother to be the personification of the forces ranged against her.

The Queen Mother's advice and guidance helped the Royal Family though difficult and joyous times. Though it is currently undergoing a series of radical changes and cannot claim to command the vast popular support of earlier years, the present Royal Family owes a great deal to the woman who, in essence created it.