The History Book Club discussion

This is the glossary for the book discussion on Elizabeth the Queen by Sally Bedell Smith.

This is a spoiler thread where links to helpful information regarding this book and its history may be posted. Please remember that we do not allow self promotion, ads or marketing. However, comments about any part of the book can be made here. If you are the type of reader who does not like spoilers of any kind, then beware because there could potentially be some spoilers here.

Here we add information, text, urls and images pertaining to people, events, and places mentioned in the book and chapters.

King George VI, Elizabeth's father, who ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother Edward VIII, later styled as the Duke of Windsor. He had not been prepared to be King as a second son but overcame these handicaps during his reign.

King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor), the "Golden Prince", and Elizabeth's uncle. His abdication for the "woman I love", the divorced Wallis Simpson, was a cause celebre around the world. Elizabeth became heir to the throne when her father became King.



The abdication speech as heard on the BBC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re6G1h...

The lovely "Queen Mum" as she came to be known, was at this point, Queen Elizabeth, consort to George VI. Her personality and English rose looks made her a favorite with the public throughout her long life. Here she is with her daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.

Sir Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton College was Elizabeth's most significant tutor and was described as a dramatic, racy and enthusiastic teacher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ma...

Lord Mountbatten, Prince Phillip's uncle, became in his later years, a mentor to Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales. Notice how much he and Prince Phillip resemble each other.



Sadly he was assassinated by an IRA bomb in 1979.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/da...

A young Elizabeth with her father.

Here is the knighting of Sir Henry Marten at Eton by Queen Elizabeth's father while he was tutoring the young Queen to be. Great old footage of the King, Queen Mother, Elizabeth, Margaret and Henry.

Here is a link to the AN ETON CEREMONY on British Pathé - http://www.britishpathe.com/video/an-...

Year: 1945

Some lovely photos and adds Jill.

Princess Margaret Rose, Countess of Snowden, was Elizabeth sister. Her life was filled with controversy and sadness. She died in 2002 at the age of 71

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess...

Queen Elizabeth at the Trooping of the Colour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enhJd3...

Loved the Trooping of the Colour. Great add.

I was fascinated by the description of the Laszlo portrait of Queen Elizabeth when she was seven, which was one of her mother's favorites.


I also was curious about Prince Phillip's family tree, and found a few good ones. The first is one showing his link to Queen Victoria, and the second shows his Battenberg/Mountbatten connections.

http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/wind...

http://www.royalist.info/execute/tree...

Thank you Cheryl for the family trees and that is a lovely portrait of Elizabeth.

Great add, Cheryl. You beat me to it!!! The family tree is so intertwined that one does need a chart to keep the relationships in perspective. That is why Queen Victoria was called "the Grandmother of Europe".

The Wesh Corgi will always be associated with the Queen. They are wonderful little dogs.

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http://www.akc.org/breeds/pembroke_we...

Jill wrote: "The Wesh Corgi will always be associated with the Queen. They are wonderful little dogs."

I'm not a dog person, so I wasn't sure what a corgi looks like. Thanks for posting.

Here is a very rare recording of Elizabeth's grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary giving the Empire Day Message in 1923.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JyC6q...





The resemblance of King George and his cousin Nicholas, the last Tsar of Russia is eerie.

Jill wrote: "Princess Margaret Rose, Countess of Snowden, was Elizabeth sister. Her life was filled with controversy and sadness. She died in 2002 at the age of 71.

There isn't any mention in the book of whether Princess Margaret received the same thorough education that Queen Elizabeth received. Obviously she's not the focus of the book, but I get the feeling that the Eton tutor, Sir Henry Marten, only worked with Queen Elizabeth, and George VI made sure Queen Elizabeth was prepared to rule in the way he was not prepared, but again, no mention of Princess Margaret. It seems strange to me - King George VI was second in line to the throne - wouldn't he make sure Princess Margaret was also similarly prepared 'just in case?' Or would it be unseemly to entertain such a possibility? I will be interested to also read a biography on Margaret - the Aronsen seems to be a good one:

Theo Aronson

You know Cheryl this is a good question to ask the author Sally Bedell Smith. She in fact just stopped in yesterday to answer a few questions on the Q&A with Sally thread.

Why not ask the question of Sally and see what she says. I am sure that she is closest to that kind of information. Sally sporadically stops in and any questions left for her she tries to answer.

So visit that thread and ask this question which is an excellent one considering what the family and George VI went through himself.

Sally Bedell Smith

Thanks Bentley - I did see she was on yesterday, but I missed it. Will do!

Great...just leave your question on the Q&A thread and when she pops in again...she will see it and try to respond.

President and Mrs. Truman were very taken with the young Elizabeth when she and Phillip visited the United State and the President called her a "fairy princess".

The Earl of Athlone, Queen Elizabeth's great uncle, who when told that Prince Charles had been born said "Glad it's all over........horrid business" Very Victorian indeed.

The article(s) announcing the death of Elizabeth's father, King George VI.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/18...

And a picture of Elizabeth at Sagana Lodge in Kenya shortly before receiving the news of her father's death.

As queen, the very first honor that she bestowed was the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor for military service. Presented to Private William Speakman of the King's Own Scottish Borderers for his valor in the Korean Conflict.. Read more about it in the article cited below.

http://www.britains-smallwars.com/kor...

Prince Charles and Princess Anne at approximately the age related to the chapters we are now reading.

The BBC announcement of the birth of Prince Charles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/princess...

Jill wrote: "Prince Charles and Princess Anne at approximately the age related to the chapters we are now reading.

"

Great photo and even at an early age you can see the differences in personality. Good size too - you can see them so clearly.

Jill wrote: "The BBC announcement of the birth of Prince Charles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/princess..."

I really enjoyed listening to this.

Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip resumes royal engagements after heart procedure

By Associated Press, Published: January 17

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II’s husband has returned to official duties following a heart procedure that saw him spend Christmas in hospital.

Prince Philip attended a fundraising dinner at Cambridge University Tuesday to support its Scott Polar Research Institute — his first official engagement since the procedure.

Philip was admitted to Papworth Hospital with chest pains just before the holidays and underwent a successful coronary stent procedure.

After spending four nights at Papworth recovering from the procedure, the 90-year-old was soon back on his feet, joining the rest of the royal family at their traditional New Year’s Day church service just days after his release.

The health scare was the most serious suffered by Philip, who is known to be active and robust but had expressed a desire to scale down his royal engagements upon his 90th birthday.

Tuesday’s dinner was held 100 years to the day since English explorer Robert F. Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole

The prince, wearing a dark suit, joined the explorer’s two granddaughters and other guests including Prince Albert of Monaco at the event supporting polar exploration.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Bravo, a strong fellow.

Yes, he carries on and I for one wish him many more years of great health. Both of them have had the good fortune to live longer and healthier than at least one of their parents and to have also had a long life together.

Prince Phillip: then



And now:

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Time flies. It is odd but the younger photo looks like the other Windsors and a bit like Elizabeth through the eyes.

They are all related so its not surprising. Phillip was probably the most handsome of the lot and even in old age, you can still see it. I used to think that Prince Charles looked like his father but as he aged he begin to look more like the Hanover side of the family.

Then:


Now:

I don't know; I see a lot of Prince Phillip as he grows older even down to his eyebrows. He appears to have a darker coloring/skin tone and hair color as a youth.

My impression is based on the fact that he is built like the Hanovers....not very tall and a tendency to be slightly overweight (sometimes). But yes, he does favor his father as well.

Here is the Queen wearing the Order of the Garter.



Only the reigning monarch can award this honor. To read more about it, go to the link cited below.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/monarchUK/hon...

The Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah Mitford, one of the controversial Mitford sisters. Her sister Unity was a devoted follower of Hitler and her other sister Diana was married to Oswald Mosley, leader of the Blackshirts, a British neo-Nazi group.

Goodness, England has more bells and whistles and various costumes and regalia; quite splendid paraphernalia. I do not think anybody does it better. Look at those plumes.

I think they may be the Prince of Wales plumes and are the heraldic badge of the Prince.....usually three ostrich feathers(or used to be). Back in the day when a woman was presented at court she wore the Prince of Wales plume in her hair.

Absolutely splendid (smile)

The Crown Jewels of England are among the most fantastic collections of precious and historic stones in the world. Read about them here:
http://www.royal.gov.uk/the%20royal%2...


Here is an example and it is amazing.

I was totally amazed when I read how much everything weighed! Oh heavens. And the heat! That poor woman!

It is probably why she had to walk so slowly.

Does the Queen ever use these jewels for ceremonial purposes today? Or are they used only on coronation day?

It depends....certain crowns are only used for the coronation while others are worn at the Opening of Parliament and other State occasions. The collection is displayed at the Tower of London and, having seen it, I can safely say that it dazzles the eye. More information is found at this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Je...

The Queen never fails to carry a handbag, no matter what the occasion...it has become her trademark.

Ever want to know what the Queen carries in that ubiquitous handbag? This might help answer the question.

http://lisawallerrogers.wordpress.com...