Queen Mary was born Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes May in Kensington Palace on May 26, 1867 to Duke Francis and Duchess Mary of Teck. Young Mary was the great-granddaughter of George III and a second cousin to Queen Victoria. She and her family lived a quiet life in England, forced to exist on the money that Duchess Mary's mother the Duchess of Cambridge was able to give them. Unfortunately the money was not enough to keep the creditors away and in 1883 the family moved around Europe, settling in Italy for awhile. They went around Europe for two years before settling again in London. After this May, as she was called, became her mother's unofficial secretary. May spent much of her time corresponding with her family including her Aunt who lived in Germany. She also corresponded with her cousin (and future sister-in-law) Maude (the daughter of future King Edward VII). In 1891, at the behest of Queen Victoria, May was engaged to Queen Victoria's grandson and second in line Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence. Unfortunately Albert died shortly afterwards. Queen Victoria, however, had an idea. Albert's brother George was now next in line and the Queen suggested that May marry him instead. Although it was an arranged marriage George and May were deeply in love and on July 6, 1893 they were married. Over the course of their marriage the Yorks (they were Duke and Duchess of York until his father became King) had six children: Prince Edward in 1894, Prince Albert in 1895, May in 1897, George Duke of Kent in 1902, and Prince John in 1905. In January 1901 Queen Victoria died and May's father-in-law became King Edward VII. This led May and George to be Prince and Princess of Wales about a year later. In 1910 her father-in-law died and May became Queen Mary. As Queen she helped her husband with his new role as King. She was the Queen Consort for about 25 years before her husband died in January of 1936. Her oldest son Edward became Edward VIII after the death of George V. Shortly afterwards she was shocked and saddened to hear that her son would renounce his throne to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson. Her second son, Albert, then became King choosing to name himself King George VI. She supported her son and his wife in their new role being the first dowager Queen to go to a successor's coronation. While the new King and Queen traveled around the British Commonwealth, Queen Mary helped look after their two young daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. During World War Two the King was worried about his mother's safety and he suggested that she move somewhere in the country where it would be safer. She did what he asked and went to live with her niece, only leaving the house shortly after the war in Europe was over. She spent the remaining years of her life devoting herself to charities. She also liked obtaining jewels including the jewels of Empress Marie of Russia (Nicholas II's mother). During this time she also spent time with her great-grandchildren, Charles and Anne, helping look after them when their parents (Elizabeth and Prince Phillip) were away helping the ailing king. In 1952 her son King George VI died of lung cancer. She was sick at the time with lung cancer as well, and shortly before the coronation of her granddaughter Elizabeth she died. - IMDb Mini Biography By: crr
Mother of King Edward VIII ( Duke of Windsor ), King George VI , Mary the Princess Royal (aka Victoria, 1897-1965), Prince Henry ( Duke of Gloucester ), Prince George ( Duke of Kent ), and Prince John (1905-1919) The ocean liner Queen Mary was named in her honour. Her 28-word speech christening the liner was the only broadcast address ever made to her people by the intensely shy queen, who preferred devoting herself to her children. She had three younger brothers: Adolphus II (Cambridge) of Teck (Duke of Teck and 1st Marquess of Cambridge) (1868-1927); Francis Joseph Leopold Frederick of Teck (Prince Francis) (1870-1910), and Alexander George (Cambridge) of Teck (Prince Alexander, 1st Earl of Athlone) (1874-1957). Alexander served as Governor General of South Africa (1923-1931) and Canada (during WWII). Daughter of Franz Paul Karl Louis von Teck (1st Duke/Prince of Teck) and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (a grand-daughter of King George III, known as "Fat Mary"). As a great-grand-daughter of George III, she was the 3rd cousin once removed of her husband George V. Queen of England (1910-1936) and Queen Mother (1936-1953). She had previously held the titles of Princess Mary ("May") of Teck (1867-1893), Duchess of York (1893-1901) and Princess of Wales (1901-1910). She was engaged to marry Prince Albert Victor "Eddy", oldest son of King Edward VII . However, Eddy died of typhoid fever shortly before the marriage was due to take place; she instead married his younger brother George - whose birthday parties she attended as a child. Died from the same cause (lung cancer) as her son King George VI , although at the time it was announced that she had died from "gastric problems.". Niece of Prince George , and Princess Augusta of Cambridge . George, Augusta, Queen Victoria , and Mary's mother were the grandchildren of King George III.