Elizabeth was born on the 4th of August in 1900 into the family of Earl Stratmore whose surname is even more ancient than the family of Windsors - the most famous in Great Britan. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Bose Lion, and she was the nineth daughter of Earl Stratmore.
She was an impful of life in her childhood. In the castle of her parents, which was transformed into hospital in 1914, life was passing steadily. A young living girl couldn't keep from going to dance sometimes into a public place, even to restaurants. Elizabeth was always in the centre of all parties, and full of grace, blue-eyed with a sense of humour she gained sympathies of her admirers. Perhaps it wouldn't be right to call her a shining beauty, but she was so natural and charming, that easily could tempt many young men. Among them there was James Stuart, a handsome fellow and a hero of war, who was called to London to be Prince Albert's servant Berty, the second son of the king.
Berty, shy, awkward and unattractive, suffering from stammer, didn't worry her much. King's elder son David attracted her attention. David was handsome, interesting to talk to and free from prejudice. Elizabeth fell in love with all her heart. They spent together wonderful evenings and rode horses. They were happy. That wonderful, fairy-tale period Mother Queen would never forget. But quite occasionally Berty, not David asked his parents to go to Elizabeth's parents with only one request: to let him marry their daughter Elizabeth. King George assisted him, because he liked her. It happened in March 1921. But Elizabeth rejected him. Many people thought that she did so because Elizabeth didn't want to be a princess.But the real reason of her refusal was David, whom she loved greatly. And then Berty, suffering from stammer and shyness, asked his brother David to go to Liz and convinced her with his eloquence to accept his preposal. David agreed to do that. Elizabeth met him with delight: she was greatly dissappointed, because what she heard was something awfull for her: "My brother Berty, Duke of York, is that man who wants to marry you", - said David to Elizabeth. She, full of shy, ran away, muttering the words of appology and hardly keeping back her tears. These two running refusals had a deep effect on Berty. Lucky for him, his mother decided to help her son. Ostensibly by chance, she stayed at the castle of the obstinate countess and put the question squarely. Later on third eloquence was refused too. - Elizabeth was still taken a fancy to David. She hoped that one day David would come back to her. But one day Elizabeth learned that David was carried away by Freda Dadly Word, a beautifull and devorsed woman. The pride of Elizabeth was wounded. Besides she was afraid of being placed in an absurd position, falling in love with the man who rejected her and the same time another man wanted to marry her. So at last she pronounced those cherished words, she was ready to become his wife. So in January 1932 Elizabeth Bose Lion accepted Prince Albert Frederich George, duke of York's proposal. After a splendid wedding party in June 1932 dukes of York moved into their new house - White lodge in Windsor Park.
It
wasn't a secret for all that Elizabeth didn't love her husband. Nevertheless
she treated him respectfully touched by his faithfulness and the signs
of worship.
In April 21st, 1926 their first child was born. That was a girl.
She got the name of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.
Duke of York, Berty, his first serious state work received in May
1927, when he became an envoy of the English King at the opening
ceremony of the Australian Parliament. The young man tried to win his painful
stammering and succeeded in it. His speech became distinct and decisive.
As for Elizabeth that visit to Australia brought her enormous popullarity.
John Willer Benket writes in his book "King George V": "In reality the success
of that visit to Australia was due to Elizabeth's lively charm.
She was more communicative than the duke, she made him forget about his
fear, because she was so radiant."
The duke and the duchess moved into a typical bourgeois house in London in Picadilly. In August 1930 the second daughter of Elizabeth, princess Margaret Rose was born.
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