Cecilia Nina Bowes-Lyon

 Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne

& Grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II 

Cecilia Nina Cavendish-Bentinck was born in Belgravia, Westminster as the
eldest daughter of the Rev. Charles Cavendish-Bentinck (grandson of British
Prime Minister William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland) and his
wife, Louisa (née Burnaby).

Love and marriage

On 16 July 1881, she married Claude Bowes-Lyon, Lord Glamis, at
St Peter's Church, Petersham, Surrey, and they had ten children.
Claude inherited his father's title of Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne in 1904,
whereupon Cecilia became Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

Children

* The Hon. Violet Hyacinth Bowes-Lyon 17 April 1882 17 October 1893

* Lady Mary Frances Bowes-Lyon 30 August 1883 8 February 1961

* Patrick Bowes-Lyon, Lord Glamis 22 September 1884 25 May 1949

* Lieutenant The Hon. John Bowes-Lyon 1 April 1886 7 February 1930

* The Hon. Alexander Francis Bowes-Lyon 14 April 1887 19 October 1911

* Captain The Hon. Fergus Bowes-Lyon 18 April 1889 27 September 1915

* Lady Rose Constance Bowes-Lyon 6 May 1890 17 November 1967

* Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. Michael Claude Hamilton Bowes-Lyon
1 October 1893 1 May 1953 59 years Known as Mickie,

* Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon 4
August 1900-30 March 2002 (also known as Elizabeth, the Queen Mum)

* The Hon. Sir David Bowes-Lyon 2 May 1902 13 September 1961

She was the maternal grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II and
one of her godmothers too. 

In contrary to what was used in such high class circles, Lady Cecilia
breastfed her children herself. She also educated her youngest children
and she teached them reading, writing and painting. 

Hobby

The Strathmore estates included two grand houses and their surroundings:
Glamis Castle and St Paul's Walden Bury. Cecilia was a gregarious and
accomplished hostess who played the piano exceptionally well.

Her houses were run with meticulous care and a practical approach and
she was responsible for designing the Italian Garden at Glamis.

She was deeply religious, a keen gardener and embroiderer, and preferred a
quiet family life.

Duty

During World War I, Glamis Castle served as a convalescent hospital for the wounded,
in which she took an active part until she developed cancer and was forced into
invalidity. 

In October 1921 she underwent a hysterectomy,and by May 1922 was in recovery.
In January 1923 she celebrated the engagement of her youngest daughter,
Elizabeth, to the King's son, Prince Albert, Duke of York, later George VI. 

When asked by pressmen for a photograph during the Edward VIII abdication
crisis, she reportedly said, "I shouldn't waste a photograph on me."

At the coronation of their son-in-law and daughter, the Earl and the
Countess were seated in the royal box, along with the immediate royal family.

Death

She suffered a heart attack on 28 April 1938, during the wedding
of her granddaughter, Anne Bowes-Lyon, to Thomas, Viscount Anson.

She died 8 weeks later, aged 75, at 38 Cumberland Mansions, Bryanston Street,
in London. Lady Strathmore outlived four of her ten children. She was buried on
27 June 1938 at Glamis Castle.

Source pictures: Wikipedia