For millions of people, The Queen of England is an iconic and inspiring figure. After becoming The Queen at only 22 years old, Her Majesty entered into a very public and demanding role. Since that day, she’s reigned for 66 years, and she’s reigned with grace, dignity, and poise.
Not only is Elizabeth The Queen, she’s also a daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Her roles are very demanding, to say the least. I often wonder how Queen Elizabeth does it all so well.
Well, like many strong women, The Queen inherited her confidence from none other than her mother.
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, or more commonly and fondly known as ‘The Queen Mother,’ was the mother of the current Queen of England. As the wife of a king of several countries and mother to a queen, surely she has had her fair share of moments where encouragement was needed.
The Queen Mother’s influence stretched far beyond her immediate family; Queen Elizabeth says that her mother is responsible for so much of the confidence that she’s carried throughout her reign as queen.
At a very young age, The Queen Mother shared a very prominent piece of advice with Elizabeth. She said, “Be brave.” She went on to paint a rather vivid picture, one that went on to shape the way Queen Elizabeth would meet so many trials during her reign as queen.
A former lady in waiting to The Queen Mother, Lady Penn shared perhaps one of the most influential pieces of advice The Queen Mother shared with the young queen-to-be. She told the young princess, “When you walk through a door, be brave. Walk directly through the middle of the door. Do not enter the room apologetically. You walk in as though, “You are in charge.”
Clearly, the advice stayed with the young queen. Even now, after 66 years of reigning, she is still as confident as she ever was.
Truly, The Queen’s mother did her job well by encouraging her daughter to be brave. That advice not only influenced young Elizabeth but also the world. We are thankful for a mother’s advice so true and inspiring!