Obscure Book of the Day: Queen Mary: A Picture Pageant of Her Wonderful Years

The Queen Consort's Coronation Oath

This splendid book, “Queen Mary: A Picture Pageant of Her Wonderful Years,” was published in Britain by the Daily Express sometime before the 1953 death of Her Majesty. Since there’s no date of publication, I would guess that this was published around 1950, if not a bit earlier. Clearly, the Dowager Queen was still living at the time of publication.

Not only does this book chronicle the life of Queen Mary from her birth as Princess Mary of Teck to her role as Queen Mother, but also it chronicles the lives of all British women from the time of Queen Victoria through the Second World War. It speaks of famous women and everyday women and shows us how the life of the Queen Consort helped to influence people around the world.

Let’s take a look inside…

The future Queen as a baby with her mother, HSM Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck.

"Princess May" as she was known, with her brothers, and Princess Mary Adelaide and her volatile father, the Duke of Teck.

A modern woman driving her own horses, Princess May was always keenly independent.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) attend the Order of the Garter in Queen Mary's honor.

As a young woman, Mary of Teck's main duty was to keep up with her mother's correspondence. 

Mary of Teck became Victoria Mary, Duchess of York upon marrying Prince George, later King George V.

Mary was first engaged to Prince George's brother, Prince Albert Victor, who died of a sudden illness.  However, Queen Victoria was still keen that Princess May marry one of her grandsons.  Knowing that Mary would be an excellent future Queen, Victoria happily encouraged the courtship of Prince George, who would one day ascend the throne in his brother's place, and Princess Mary, 

Queen Mary and King George V with their eldest boy, Edward "David", the Great Abdicator and Kerfuffler. 

Queen Mary, prior to the 1911 coronation, still in mourning for her father-in-law, King Edward VII. 

On the splendid coronation day in 1911.

Keeping spirits raised during the Great War. 

During the First World War, Queen Mary thought nothing of helping soldiers cut down trees for much needed firewood. 

Thought broken-hearted over her eldest son's decision of "That Simpson Woman" over the crown, her Majesty was proud of her second son, "Bertie" as he ascended as King George VI.  She is proceeded at the 1936 coronation by Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II.  As I've noted before, Queen Mary broke protocol (an odd thing for someone with her love of tradition) and attended the coronation of her son.  Usually, the widow of the late King would remain in mourning and not attend the coronation of her husband's successor.  However, following the Abdication Kerfuffle (TM), Mary knew it best to show the nation that the Royal Family was in harmony and unison.

In her later years, at Marlborough House, tending to her hobby of gros point.  Seated in her garden, but still wearing diamonds and pearls. 

The book's final page reminds us that Queen Mary's life has touched everyone in the Commonwealth for the better.