ALTHOUGH the Queen Mother was 50 years a widow, she truly fulfilled her vocation in the early part of the last century. She was living proof of the saying that, behind every successful man there is a great woman.

Actually, she first met George at a children's party in 1905 when she kindly gave him the crystallised cherries off her sugar cake. Perhaps this was what led to his falling in love with her?

But, when they were of age, she didn't say yes to him for two years - and eventually answered his proposal by telegram, saying simply: "All right, Bertie".

It's well-known that King George suffered from a stutter and, here again, Queen Elizabeth came to his aid, teaching him to recite tongue-twisters, particularly, "Let's go gathering healthy heather with the gay brigade of grand dragoons" - before the English language changed forever. Her finest hour was the nation's finest hour and her unconquerable spirit in wartime strengthened everyone's resolve. The previous government had made plans for the Royal Family to be evacuated; but Queen Elizabeth sat down with the King and Winston Churchill and together they tore up the plans. On one of her wartime tours, she visited Rochdale. Civic dignitaries have been known to lay on the hospitality a bit thick, so there was the Queen having to chomp her way through endless courses of wholesome Lancashire fare until it became embarrassing. She turned to the Mayor and said: "We're always careful to observe the rationing rules at the palace."

Unabashed, he replied: "Well, Your Majesty, you'll want a proper 'do' when you come away then."

During the threat of invasion in 1940, she was asked whether the young princesses were to be shipped off to Canada. She said: "No. The children can't go without me. I won't go without the King. And the King will never go." What comes across forcibly in her character is this mixture of determination with a capacity to live life abundantly. She was marvellously energetic and full of fun. When she was in her nineties, Prince Edward came in from work and complained of being tired out. He said: "You've no idea what a ten-hour day in the theatre is like."

"Oh yes, I have," she said "I've been to the Royal Variety Performance."

Once, at lunch, the Queen Mother was sitting next to the trades union leader, Hugh Scanlon. He stuck his fork into a roast potato only to see it fly off the table. Sheepishly, he peered over his glasses to see if the Queen Mother had noticed. The potato was now on the floor. One of the corgis came along, sniffed it, turned up his nose and walked away. The Queen Mother had noticed all this, turned to her guest and said: "Oh dear, Mr Scanlon, it's not your day, is it?"

The Queen Mother was an indomitable lady who gave a lifetime's - one is tempted to say two lifetimes'- service to the country she loved. She was held in huge affection from one century to the next. She is much missed.

Published: 09/04/2002