The Queen and her family are commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of her mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, on Wednesday.
The Queen Mother died peacefully on March 30, 2002, at the age of 101, with her only surviving daughter, the monarch, by her side.
The Queen has had an emotional week, having attended her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh’s, memorial service at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday – the same location as her mother’s funeral. Huge crowds gathered to watch the Queen Mother’s coffin be transported from St James’ Palace to Westminster Hall on April 9, 2002.
The Queen and her mother were extremely close, and Her Majesty is said to have confided in her many times over the years. The two were well-known for their mutual passion for horses and horse racing.
She was born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900, and became Queen consort after her brother-in-law, King Edward VIII, abdicated. The young monarch was said to have strengthened her bond with her mother after the untimely death of her father, King George VI, in 1952.
The Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where she had lived for many years. Her health had been deteriorating, and she had been sick with a cold in the months before she died. Her death came just seven weeks after Princess Margaret, her youngest daughter, died.
The Queen Mother, a popular member of the royal family, was known for her cheerful demeanor, earning her the moniker “smiling duchess.” She remained active in her duties and committed to her public life until a few months before her death. The beloved matriarch lived 50 years longer than her late husband.
On March 30, 2002, Buckingham Palace issued the following statement: “The Queen has requested that the following information be made public as soon as possible: her beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth, died peacefully in her sleep this afternoon at Royal Lodge, Windsor. Members of the royal family have been made aware of the situation.”
