The Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born on 4 August 1900.
In April 1923, Elizabeth married Prince Albert; Duke of York and the second son of George V in the Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth was conferred the title of the Duchess of York. From this Royal union, were born two daughters, Elizabeth, on 21 April 1926, and Margaret Rose on 21 August 1930.
In 1927, the Duke & Duchess of York set on the HMS Renown for a six-month tour to Australia and New Zealand, via Jamaica, Panama, Marquesas Islands and Fiji. After having opened the Parliament in Canberra, the Royal couple departed Australia and made a courtesy visit to Mauritius.
In June 1927, the HMS Renown docked at Port Louis. The Cannon fired 21 rounds and it is believed that a third of the Colony’s population gathered in the luxuriously decorated capital to welcome the Dukal visitors.
« Mauritius went heart and soul for the young royal couple. As they were driven along the streets of Port Louis and around the Champ de Mars, thousands of people, men, women and children waved their Union Jack and shouted
« Long Live the Duke and the Duchess! »
After a stay of two days, the HMS Renown left Mauritius for Suez and Malta.
In January 1936 George V died and his eldest son ascended the throne as Edward VIII but shocked the world by abdicating to be with American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Suddenly, Prince Albert; Duke of York was thrusted into the role of king; taking the name George VI. The coronation took place on 12 May 1937 and Elizabeth became the first British-born -Consort since Tudor times.
At the death of George V1 in 1952, his eldest daughter Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, and his widow Queen Elizabeth was hence known as The Queen Mother.
A memorial to mark the third Royal visit on the island of Mauritius since 1810 has been erected in the Botanical gardens.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother died in March 2002 at the age of 101.