From Princess May To Queen Mother
Queen Mary celebrated her birthday on Wednesday. She is now seventy years cid, and a very wonderful lady whom everyone loves and admires.
She was born at Kensington Palace on May 26, 1867, and was christened VICTORIA MARY AUGUSTA LOUISA OLGA PAULINE CLAUDINE AGNES—but she was always known as May, and " Princess May " was a very popular figure in Kensington Palace.
Her parents were the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and, though they were royalty, they were not at all rich.
The Duchess of Teck was a very kind lady. She was probably the first royal personage to give practical help herself to the poor. She was truly charitable, and was the first Royal lady to do charitable social work in the East End of London. She brought up her daughter to believe in charity and kindness and always to think of others.
The little Princess May grew up, learned her lessons, and there are still many poor people alive who remember her visiting their cottages when the Princess lived in Richmond. They remember her as a sweet, graceful girlserious-faced but with a ready, cheerful smile—who used to come and read to the sick people and help anyone she could.
Her family moved to Italy, and she went there too. Here she learned singing and Italian and studied music and history. Later, when her family returned to London, she took her place in Royal Society and she fell in love with the young Duke of York (who was, of course, our late King, George V). They were married in 1893. Queen Victoria was delighted, and everyone was very glad, for " May and George " were very popular with the people.
They were very happy and, as everyone knows, Queen Mary is one of the greatest Queens England has ever known.
God bless the Queen!