Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was well-known for her love of a regular tipple and even managed to escape her security team in Derby in 1977 before she was found in a bar
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was beloved for her quick witted sense of humour and her no nonsense attitude – qualities which, at the time of her death in 2002, had her nicknamed the ‘Best Loved Royal’. Born on August 4, 1900, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the-then Prince Albert in 1923 at Westminster Abbey, and the couple became The Duke and Duchess of York. They had no expectation of the future that lay before them.
The Duke and Duchess welcomed their first daughter, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, in 1926 and the family was later completed by younger sister, Princess Margaret Rose in 1930. Aside from the unflappable support she offered her husband when he suddenly acceded the throne, the Queen Mother was famous for her love of a drink – which led to one scary moment for her security team!
In 1977, the Queen Mother paid a visit to Derby to open the Assembly Rooms – and it is fair to say that the trip went anything but smoothly.
The family of former Derby police officer, Ian Parker, has revealed some brilliant anecdotes from his three decades spent in the force, including his memorable encounter with The Queen Mother.
Ian’s daughter, Jane Hart, told the Derby Telegraph: “They lost her! There was this operation to make sure she was OK and to make sure everything went smoothly. It was a big occasion, and I remember him feeling very proud and privileged to be taking part and getting involved with it.
“They were leading her around, and they were proud to have her come to the city. But they couldn’t find her. He told the story to me, and you could tell he was still feeling nervous about telling it years on because of what they must have gone through.