Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was born on 4th August 1900, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. On the death of her husband she became Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

Marriage

She married HRH Prince Albert, Duke of York (son of George V and Queen Mary), in Westminster Abbey on 26 April 1923. He later succeeded as King George VI.

Coronation

Their coronation took place in the Abbey on 12th May 1937.

Funeral

She died on 30th March 2002. Massive crowds watched the coffin procession through the streets from St James's Palace to Westminster Hall, where she lay in state for four days. Together with The Queen's wreath her crown, containing the famous Koh-i-noor diamond, lay on a purple velvet cushion on top of the coffin which was draped with her personal standard [flag]. On 9th April the coffin was conveyed on a gun carriage to the Abbey. The Abbey's tenor bell chimed 101 times, one for each year of her life. After the service the coffin was taken by car to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle where she was buried alongside George VI and their daughter HRH Princess Margaret.

Further reading

The Order of Service for the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (PDF, 306 KB)

"The Queen Mother Herself" by Helen Cathcart, 1979

Born

4th August 1900

Died

30th March 2002

Wedding

26th April 1923

Funeral

9th April 2002

Oil study of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, wearing a blue dress and holding binoculars
Artist's proof by J. Jonas for an oil study of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster

Soldiers stand around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in Westminster Abbey
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster