1985 The Life and Times of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Commemorating the Life and Times of The Queen Mother

Date: 7th June 1985
Stamps: 12c The New Queen Consort, 1937; 30c At Buckingham Palace with all her grandchildren on her 80th birthday; 40c On her 83rd birthday at Clarence House and $1.50 Holding baby Prince Henry after his christening in 1984
Miniature Sheet: The Life and Times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother $1 The Queen Mother and Prince Charles in the Royal carriage built in 1902 for King Edward VII’s coronation and Princess Diana rode in it with Prince Charles after their wedding.

Type: Official First Day Cover
CDS: 07 JUN85B HAMILTON BERMUDA
Cachet: The Life and Times of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother BERMUDA 7th June 1985 OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER
Address: Mangrove Bay, Somerset

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Type: Official First Day Cover
CDS: 07 .JUN85B PEROT POST OFFICE BERMUDA
Cachet: The Life and Times of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother BERMUDA 7th June 1985 OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER
Address: Postmaster General Bermuda

Liner

BERMUDA

The Life and Times of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born on 4th August 1900, the ninth child of the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Much of her childhood was spent at the family seat of Glamis Castle in Forfarshire, Scotland. As a child, Lady Elizabeth was outgoing and gregarious. From her earliest years she learnt to mix with and make welcome the many guests of the family; characteristics that have since endeared her to countless millions throughout the world. Although unusual for a girl of her social position at that time, she attended a day school for a short period.

At her “coming out party” in 1918 the charming young Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was to prove one ofthe most popular young ladies in London’s high society. She met Prince “Bertie”, Duke of York and the younger brother of the Prince of Wales in 1920 and, to their parents’ great delight, they announced their engagement in January 1923. They were married on 26th April of the same year, the Duke of York being the first king’s son to marry in Westminster Abbey since 1382. The bride wore a wedding dress in deep ivory to match the rare old lace, lent to her by Queen Mary, which bordered her veil. The crowds enthusiastically welcomed the bride, naming her the “smiling Duchess”. After their honeymoon, the couple settled down at the White Lodge in Richmond Park. Their round of royal duties gradually grew, one notable assignment being the opening of the British Empire Exhibition in 1926.

Two highlights of those early years were the births of the Princesses, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in 1926 and Margaret Rose in 1930.

In 1936, following the abdication of King Edward VIII, the Duke of York assumed the burden of kingship, taking up the heavy responsibilities for which he had not been prepared. His own words at the time of his coronation perhaps sum up the resolve which he brought to bear on the situation “With my wife and helpmeet by my side I take up the heavy task which lies before me”.

The family moved to Buckingham Palace and one ofthe many challenges facing the new Queen was to bring the huge and rather cold building m0re into the 20th century. One practice she abolished was having the royal children curt’sey when they greeted her.

Despite the “clouds of war” gathering over Europe, in 1938 the Royal Couple visited Paris and then America in May 1939 – the first British King and Queen to visit that continent.

During the war years, the two Princesses stayed at Wmdsor, whilst the King and Queen spent much of their time in London, playing a vital part in the encouragement of the beleaguered inhabitants, even visiting bomb sites. Buckingham Palace itself was to receive a direct hit from an enterprising German pilot who flew right up The Mall. The King and Queen escaped harm, but it was considered necessary to build a concrete shelter for their safety. Victory came on 8th May 1945, when, from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. the King and Queen received the rousing cheers of a celebrating populace. In 1947 the Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece on 20th November. 1948 was the year ofthe Royal Silver Wedding celebrations and the Queen became a grandmother for the first time. Both the King and Queen broadcast to the nation, rededicating themselves; the Queen’s theme being the true significance ofhome life. The King’s health had not stood up to the strain ofwar years and in 1952 the nation was to grieve his passing but also celebrate the accession of a new Queen; Elizabeth II.

Since that time. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother has continued in public life as one ofthe most active, popular and best-lowd members of the Royal Family. 1985 marks the Queen Mother’s 85th birthday and this commemorative set is part ofan omnibus issue in which some 20 countries are participating. The whole omnibus builds up a picture ofthe Queen Mother’s lifetime, family and service and on the souvenir sheet Her Majesty is shown in some form of conveyance bringing out the wide range of transportation which her life entails.

The designs show Her Majesty The Queen Mother:-

Souvenir Sheet (S1) – In a coach with Prince Charles on the occasion of her 80th birthday celebrations.
12c – The New Queen Consort, 1937.
30c – At Buckingham Palace with all her grandchildren on her 80th birthday.
40c – On her 83rd birthday at Clarence House.
S1.50 – Holding baby Prince Henry after his christening in 1984.

Technical Details

Designers: Clive Abbott (stamps); Tony Theobald (Souvenir Sheet); Leslie Curtis (First Day Cover)
Printer: The House of Questa
Process: Lithography
Values: 12c, 30c, 40c, S1.50, and on Souvenir Sheet only S1.00
Stamp size: 30:56 x 38 mm
Stamps on Sheet: 50 (2 x 25): with motifs in gutter
Souvenir Sheet size: 75 x 90 mm, bearing S1.00 stamp
Paper: Crown Agents Spiral Script
Release date: 7th June 1985

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Benham First Day Covers

Type: Benham First Day Cover
CDS: 07 .JUN85A HAMILTON BERMUDA
Cachet: The Life and Times of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother BERMUDA 7th June 1985 OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER
Envelope: Benham ‘Silk’ Collection 9 / Benham (A. Buckingham Ltd) 22/28 High Street, Hythe, Kent

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Type: Benham First Day Cover
CDS: 07 .JUN85A HAMILTON BERMUDA
Cachet: The Life and Times of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother BERMUDA 7th June 1985 OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVER
Envelope: Benham ‘Silk’ Collection 9 / Benham (A. Buckingham Ltd) 22/28 High Street, Hythe, Kent