*Thread* Today we continue our series on strong women of the monarchy. We waited until today for this thread as we wanted it posted on what would be the Queen Mums 120 birthday. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate her legacy today.

Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon on August 4, 1900 to Claude and Cecilia Bowes-Lyon the second youngest of ten children. Elizabeth's life would change as
on her 14th birthday Britain would declare war on Germany. Four of her brothers would serve in the army,

her eldest brother Fergus was an officer and killed in the action at Battle of Loos in 1915. Her brother Michael was reported as MIA on April 28th 1917, three weeks later the family discovered that he had been captured after being wounded he remained

in a POW camp till the end of the war. Glamis Castle was turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers, and Elizabeth helped tend the patients who were sent there.

Elizabeth and her sister would be friendly with the children of King George V and Queen Mary. During this time is when she would meet Prince Albert “Bertie”, it was love at first sight for him. In 1921 Bertie would propose to Elizabeth, unfortunately she would turn down

his proposal. Bertie confessed he wouldn’t marry anyone other than her. Once again in 1922 he would try again and once more she would say no. In 1923, Bertie would try once again and Elizabeth would finally say yes to his proposal. April 26, 1923, Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth

were married at Westminster Abbey. It would be Lady Elizabeth that would start the tradition of laying her bouquet of flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier. This gesture was done to honour her brother Fergus, and the tradition has continued for for each royal bride.

The Duchess of York would become a huge support system for the Duke, she would be his rock and help him get through his speeches. 1927 the couple would welcome their first daughter Princess Elizabeth or Lillibet. Three years later Princess Margaret would be born.

January 20th 1936, life for the York family would begin to change with the passing of King George V. Edward the Prince of Wales would take the throne but only to abdicate after 326 days. December 11, 1936 the Duke and Duchess of York were now crowned King George VI and Queen

Consort. May 12, 1937 at Westminster Abbey their coronation would take place. Elizabeth's role would continue to grow. Before the breakout of WWII, the King and Queen Consort, would complete their first tour of Canada and be the first reigning monarchs to be in America.

During WWII the King and Queen Consort became the symbols to fight against facism. Queen Elizabeth would visit the troops, hospitals, factories and areas of Britain targeted by the German Luftwaffe. When Buckingham Palace itself took several hits during the height of the bombing

Elizabeth was able to say, "I'm glad we've been bombed. It makes me feel like I can look the East End in the face.” Adolf Hitler is said to have called her "the most dangerous woman in Europe" because he viewed her popularity as a threat to German interests

After the war, the Queen Consort would continue her work and care for her husband. February 6, 1952 King George VI would pass away. Now the Queen Mother or Mum, decided that after the death of her husband that she would move to Scotland and retire from royal duties

Winston Churchill visited the queen Mum to have a talk, she came out of retirement and took her roll on as Queen Mum. August 4, 1990 on her 90th birthday the Queen Mum would be celebrated. Over 300 of her patronages that she was involved with joined the celebration.

Ten years later when she turned 100 another celebration would take place to celebrate her life. The start of 2002, would begin to be a very difficult year, the loss of her daughter princess Margaret February 12, 2002 Then on March 30, 2002 The Queen Mum would pass away at age

was the longest-lived member of the royal family in British history. April 9, 2002 was the funeral for the Queen Mum held at Westminster Abbey. She would be laid to rest at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle next to King George VI and Princess Margaret. At her request the wreath

from her coffin, would be placed on the tomb of the unknown soldier, a gesture she started 79 years earlier.
Her legacy continues to live on, she was known as a very strong woman for her time. She rationed food during the war, Hitler feared her, people loved her dry sense of

humour, and has always been one of the favourites within the royal family.