Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother.Photo: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images
One day afterQueen Elizabethhonored her beloved late husband Prince Philip at a poignantmemorial service at Westminster Abbey, she’s now marking another somber day.
On March 30, 2002,Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother — the mother ofQueen ElizabethII and Princess Margaret — died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101. The Queen, who shared a very close relationship with her mother, honored her with a special tribute on Wednesday.
“Today marks 20 years since the death ofQueen ElizabethThe Queen Mother,” a statement read on the Queen’s official Royal Family Twitter account.
“Her Majesty inspired great affection from the public, which her daughter The Queen spoke of as, ‘the special place she occupied in the hearts of so many.’ "
The post went on to detail the remarkable life of the Queen Mother.
Her life spanned an entire century of history and change. She refused to leave London during WWII, famously saying, “I won’t leave the King. And the King will never leave.” They stayed and visited bomb-damaged areas during the Blitz.
Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images
She was also Patron or President of over 350 organizations and completed more than 40 overseas tours and visits as Queen Mother.
On the day of her death, Buckingham Palace announced the news in a statement.
“The Queen, with the greatest sadness, has asked for the following announcement to be made immediately: her beloved mother,Queen Elizabeth, died peacefully in her sleep this afternoon at Royal Lodge, Windsor. Members of the royal family have been informed.”
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At her funeral on April 9, 2002, over a million people stood for hours in the freezing cold to pay their respects to the Queen Mother who was a pillar of strength not only to her own family but also to the nation.
source: people.com
