Surprisingly Dark Facts About Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
Behind every man, there’s a great woman—but this went double for "The Queen Mother". Not only did Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon rule through her husband King George VI, she also oversaw the reign of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
Yet before that, she’d already experienced a lifetime’s worth of royal scandal. From bedroom gossip that rocked the monarchy to Elizabeth’s high-class feuds, this seemingly stately Queen hid some very dirty laundry.
Elizabeth Queen Mother Facts
1. She Was A Spoiled Baby
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon’s birth was about as aristocratic as they come. Born into a wealthy noble family on August 4, 1900, she was the ninth of a whopping 10 children, and her family spoiled their baby rotten.
Elizabeth's father even thought his darling girl looked so much like a cherub that he demanded her middle name be “Angela". But this angelic quality didn’t stick around for long.
2. She Was A Greedy Girl
As it turns out, spoiling a child doesn’t have the best results—and Elizabeth turned very naughty very quickly. Her family nicknamed her “Merry Mischief” for her impish plots, including the time the young girl telegrammed her father a message that translates to, “Send money now". Elizabeth's trickster side would serve her well in the future—just not always in the best of ways.
3. She Was Whip-Smart
In case you haven’t noticed by now, Elizabeth was one smart cookie. Although her family prized good breeding over academic achievements, Elizabeth had both in spades.
Her literature essays deeply impressed her teachers and governesses, and she passed her standard exams with distinction. Yet sadly, her glittering world soon turned dark.
Century of Queen Mother - 100 Years in 100 Minutes: A Celebration (2000), Imagicians