Before she became one of Britain’s most beloved royal figures, the Queen Mother’s love life was filled with heartbreak, royal interference, and a surprising turn of fate.
Though she ultimately married Prince Albert, the Duke of York—later King George VI—her heart once belonged to someone else.
What unfolded was a story of love, manipulation, and destiny that shaped the British monarchy in ways no one could have predicted.
A Love That Wasn’t Meant to Be
In her early twenties, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was deeply in love with James Stuart, a dashing First World War hero and the son of the Earl of Moray.
Those close to her, including her dresser Mabel Stringer, recalled how the two were inseparable, completely smitten with one another.
Even Lord Charteris, a respected courtier, confirmed that Stuart was the true love of her life.
However, fate had other plans. James made the fateful mistake of introducing Elizabeth to his royal employer, Prince Albert, also known as Bertie.
Almost immediately, Bertie fell head over heels for Elizabeth.
Unfortunately for Stuart, his love story with Elizabeth was about to be deliberately derailed by forces beyond his control.
A Royal Plot to Remove a Rival
Bertie’s feelings for Elizabeth were so strong that he confided in his mother, Queen Mary, about his desire to marry her.
But there was one problem—Elizabeth was still deeply committed to Stuart.
Determined to secure Elizabeth for her son, Queen Mary began orchestrating a plan to remove Stuart from the picture entirely.
As part of a carefully calculated move, Stuart was offered an opportunity to work in the oil industry overseas.
It seemed like a promising career move, but in reality, it was a carefully designed scheme to get him as far away from Elizabeth as possible.
In January 1922, unaware of the extent of the manipulation, Stuart said his goodbyes and left for the oil fields of Oklahoma.
By the time he returned to England in 1923, Elizabeth was engaged to Bertie.
A Reluctant Bride-to-Be
Though Bertie was devoted to Elizabeth, she was far less certain about their future.
He proposed to her twice—once in 1921 and again in 1922—but she turned him down both times.
Desperate to escape the pressure, she fled to Scotland, where she found herself surrounded by a string of admirers, including Lord Glenconner, the future Duke of Richmond, and several other eligible bachelors of the time.
But Bertie refused to give up. Encouraged by Queen Mary’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering, he gathered the courage to propose for a third time in January 1923.
This time, Elizabeth finally said yes. The engagement was swiftly announced just days later, ensuring she had no chance to change her mind.
A Marriage That Made History
On April 26, 1923, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the Duke of York in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Some skeptics, including Elizabeth’s own sister and father, questioned whether she had made the right choice.
Her father, Lord Strathmore, was not particularly fond of royalty and had his doubts about the match.
But what started as a reluctant union blossomed into one of the greatest love stories in royal history.
When Bertie unexpectedly became King George VI in 1936 after the abdication of his brother, Elizabeth stood steadfastly by his side.
Together, they led Britain through World War II, providing a symbol of resilience and strength during the nation’s darkest days.
Their love and dedication to duty left an indelible mark on the monarchy, culminating in their greatest legacy—their daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
Though her path to the throne was anything but conventional, the Queen Mother’s journey proves that love, fate, and a little royal intervention can shape history in ways no one can foresee.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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