Card of the Day: H.R.H. Queen Mary

When I die India will be found engraved on my heart.
Queen Mary

My affection for Queen Mary is no secret. She was a minsunderstood figure in history. During her life, she was thought by some to be cold and distant. Others thought her dull. Others still recognized that she was solely devoted to two things: the Monarchy and the preservation of Britain’s art history.

Mary of Teck had a difficult life. As a young child, she was often used as a pawn by her larger-than-life parents. Her mother, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge was a beloved figure in Britain, but privately, she was difficult, extravagant and disorganized. Her father, The Duke of Teck was loving, but given to fits of madness and anger. The Duke of Teck was bitter that he was always considered as a “lesser” member of the family and became consumed with a preoccupation about status. Both parents spent money freely, but had no means of bringing any money in. Queen Victoria—at a loss as to how to handle her cousins lack of financial control—exiled them to Italy in the hope that they would develop some fiscal responsibility. They did not. And, eventually, Queen Victoria allowed them to return to England where, upon their return, Victoria quickly became impressed with the level-headed Princess May and realized that she would make a perfect mate for the rather wild Prnce Albert Victor of Wales whose father, The Prince of Wales would be King upon the death of his mother, Victoria.

While Mary was certainly not in love with Prince Eddie, she liked the idea of being the wife of the heir presumptive because she—above all else—wanted to serve her country. Though not in love, the Prince and Princess were fond of one another. Eddie admired Mary’s passion for art and knowledge of history and world humanities as well as her rational way of thinking. Mary appreciated Eddie’s sense of fun and playfulness. But, that was not to be. Prince Eddie died unexpectedly and, as she mourned, Princess May feared that she’d have to return to her life of playing go-between for her strong-willed parents. Thankfully, she formed a friendship with her late fiance’s brother. Prince George quickly fell madly in love with Mary. Queen Victoria was all for a union between the two and hoped that the Prince would propose. He did and Mary accepted.

Upon the death of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII took the throne. He respected his daughter-in-law—the future Queen Consort—and asked her advice on matters of state. Meanwhile, Queen Alexandra was deeply jealous of the newly created Duchess of York. Alexandra didn’t like the fact that her son preferred the company of his new wife over her own companionship and started a campaign within the Royal Family to snub Mary. Mary didn’t allow this to bother her. She carried on with the same dignity and grace with which she always comported herself, and earned the affection of the British people.

As Queen Consort, Mary made sure that English traditions remained alive and she fostered the preservation of important historical objects and places. But, she also realized that times were changing. An endless source of support during the Great War and King George V’s numerous illnesses, Mary never failed to put the good of the nation before her own personal feelings. Queen Mary was instrumental in making sweeping improvements in living conditions and helped to reform the less savory parts of Royal life.

Because of her inherent reserve, she remains a mysterious figure in history, but her works and her life speak for themselves. Because of her love of the Empire and her love of foreign travel—especially to India and Italy—countless works of art have been preserved. These works of art will forever serve to remind us where we have been as a world culture and where we will ultimately go.