Britain’s Queen Mum

The “Queen Mum”:  Woman With the Common Touch

Britain’s “Queen Mum,” remains the most popular royal of modern times thanks to her warm and gracious personality.

The daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore, Elizabeth married Prince Albert, the Duke of York, in April 1923.  The second son of George V, Albert was crowned George VI in 1936, making Elizabeth Queen Consort.

Described by Hitler as the most dangerous woman in Europe because she so effectively boosted morale during World War II, Elizabeth refused to leave Buckingham Palace for her own safety during the Blitz.

When German bombs actually hit the palace, she pretended to be pleased, saying:  “It makes me feel I can look the East End in the face.”

After George VI’s death, the Queen Mum continued to fly thousands of miles each year to attend to her royal duties.

Even in old age, she was still remarkable active and rumored to down a bottle of gin a day.

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon died in 2002 at the age of 101, ranked 61st in the Top 100 Britons Poll.

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