Queen Mary

In the second episode the programme takes a look at Queen Mary. Here we see something that might had shaped the personalities of both Queen Elizabeth II and her father.

Mary was a minor royal. Technically a princess of Teck, in the Kingdom of Württemberg but born and raised in England. Her parents were without a title that lived the good life but were deeply in debt. They visited various European cities living with wealthier relations and spent time in Florence where Mary educated herself by visiting the art galleries, churches, and museums. Mary was also practical knowing how to economise and run a household.

She certainly caught the attention of Queen Victoria who saw her as a suitable match to straighten out her wayward son Prince Eddy. Mary's family were ecstatic at this. From being minor royals without a grand title, they would now marry into Queen Victoria's family.

This happy news did not last long, Eddy died but Queen Victoria was convinced that Mary would make someone a good wife so passed her on to her other son, George.

Mary revered the traditions of monarchy and always put duty and service first. She knew what it was like to be an outsider, a minor royal without a title. During the abdication crisis she saw it as her duty to provide moral support for her second son, the reserved Prince Albert and could not understand why Edward chose to marry a twice divorced American who she thought was unsuitable to be the wife of a king.

Queen Mary died in 1953 and saw her granddaughter Elizabeth ascend to the throne but not be crowned.