COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

Queen Mother's Century

Issue Date: 18 August 1999





Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother

The 20th century has seen some of the human race's greatest achievements and greatest tragedies and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother has seen all of them happen.

When she was born in London on 4 August 1900, mankind was still trying to master flight, and boats and trains were still the fastest ways of seeing the world. Yet in the last 99 years Her Majesty has witnessed two World Wars, seen undreamed of advances in technology, medicine and science and watched man walk on the moon. This has been a century of possibly the greatest changes we as a world have ever experienced.

Born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon to parents Lord and Lady Strathmore, Her Majesty spent much of her childhood at the family home of St Paul's Walden-Bury. The first World War broke out on her birthday and the horrors of this conflict directly affected her family. Her elder brother Fergus was killed and brother David was wounded. She had known her future husband Prince Albert since childhood, but it was not until January 1923 that they decided to marry and Westminster Abbey was the venue for this Royal Wedding. The couple had two daughters, Princess Elizabeth born in 1926 and Princess Margaret in 1930.

The abdication crisis of 1936 thrust Prince Albert (who assumed the name George VI) into the role of sovereign and his wife became Queen Consort. The coronation took place on 12 May 1937. During the Second World War, The King and Queen refused to leave London and their home Buckingham Palace was hit nine times during air-raids. The King's ill-health finally caused his death in 1952 and his daughter Princess Elizabeth became Queen. After a period of mourning and sorrow, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother continued her life of public duty which she fulfills to this day. Her Majesty enjoys relaxing with her family at Balmoral and has always enjoyed horse racing and fishing.

Despite a hip replacement operation, Her Majesty continues to fulfill her public engagements and has won the affection and admiration of people across the world with her outstanding warmth, charm and spontaneous smile.

Entering her 100th year, Her Majesty's world-wide popularity remains undiminished and we wish her well for the future.

First Day Cover



Technical details:

Layout and Design: Derek Miller
Printer: Cartor Security Printing Ltd
Process: Lithography
Perforation: 13 per 2 cms
Stamp size: 30 x 48 mm
S/S: 145 x 70 mm
S/S stamp: 30 x 48 mm
Watermark: Crown Agents
Pane: 50 (2 x 25)



Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited