The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
September 11, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Politics & World›Royalty›Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Politics & World • Royalty

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was the queen consort of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was the queen consort of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon in 1900, she used the style “Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother” after her husband’s death in 1952 to distinguish her from her daughter. She remained a prominent member of the British royal family until her death in 2002.

Early life

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born on 4 August 1900 and was the daughter of Claude Bowes-Lyon, later the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck.

Marriage and queenship

She married Prince Albert, Duke of York, in 1923. When he became King George VI in 1936, she became queen consort of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth.

Queen Mother

After George VI’s death in 1952, she became known officially as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother so that she would not be confused with Queen Elizabeth II. The informal name Queen Mum became widely used.

Later life and death

She remained a highly visible figure in public life for decades after her husband’s death and lived to the age of 101. She died on 30 March 2002.

Key facts

  • She was born into the Bowes-Lyon family and married Prince Albert, Duke of York, in 1923.
  • She became queen consort in 1936 when her husband became King George VI.
  • She was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
  • After George VI died in 1952, she was styled Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to avoid confusion with her daughter.
  • She was the first member of the British royal family to reach the age of 100.
🍁
Canadian context

As a senior member of the British royal family, she was widely known across Canada through the Commonwealth and Canadian constitutional ties to the monarchy.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother?
She was Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, the wife of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.
Why was she called the Queen Mother?
The style was used after George VI’s death to distinguish her from her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
Was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother a reigning monarch?
No. She was queen consort, not a ruling queen, during her husband’s reign.
When was she born?
She was born on 4 August 1900.
When did she die?
She died on 30 March 2002 at the age of 101.
What was her informal nickname?
She was commonly called the Queen Mum.

References

  1. The Royal Family — https://www.royal.uk/encyclopedia/queen-elizabeth-the-queen-mother
    Supports: Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon; mother of Queen Elizabeth II; widow of King George VI.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_the_Queen_Mother
    Supports: Dates of birth and death; style used after George VI’s death; queen consort and queen mother status.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-queen-consort-of-United-Kingdom
    Supports: Queen consort of the United Kingdom; marriage to George VI; official style after 1952; birth and death dates.
  4. National Portrait Gallery — https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp01453/queen-elizabeth-the-queen-mother
    Supports: Marriage to the Duke of York in 1923; became Queen Elizabeth in 1937; became known as the Queen Mother in 1952; first member of the British royal family to reach age 100.