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April 9 2002: On the day of the funeral of the Queen Mother, we pick the best reads from around the world wide web.
Special report: the Queen Mother
The weblog: latest issues in links
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Monarchy in step with public
After thousands of mourners came to London to see the Queen Mother's lying in state, Nicola Lamb of the New Zealand Herald says the monarchy seems to be in step with the public again - which makes a change from the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, just five years ago. 'The royals have emerged from the dark days more aware of the requirements of a modern monarchy,' she says.
New Zealand Herald
A mature monarchy - Times
Our own identity - Telegraph
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Moment that should herald modernisation
Today's Independent editorial says republicans and monarchists must agree that the Queen Mother's funeral is a significant moment in the evolution of the royal family. It goes on to argue for change. 'We suspect that the British royal family would do better to emulate the bicycling monarchies' of Europe to see how a modernised monarchy can act as a national focus in much more egalitarian-minded societies than Britain.'
Independent
End of an ideal - Scotsman
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A 'magical grandmother'
Charles Rae, writing in the Sun, praises the courage shown by Prince Charles in his 'forthright, frank and open' public statement last week.
The Sun
Full text: Charles' tribute
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Hypocrisy and the BBC?
Charles' tribute was delivered to an ITV camera crew - a decision which royal sources suggested was a snub to the BBC for the alleged lack of respect in its coverage of the death. After the rightwing press criticised the BBC, the Independent columnist David Aaronovitch dismissed the row: 'The actual death found the Beeb in transition between Narnia and Britain. Fleet Street preferred Narnia.'
Independent
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A century ago
The Queen Mother was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on August 4 1900, five months before the death of Queen Victoria. The official royal website has a biography: use the pulldown to flick through it.
royal.gov.uk
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Marriage into royalty
In its profile of the Queen Mother, Hello! magazine recalls the moment when it emerged that Elizabeth was to marry Albert, Duke of York - later George VI. 'There is not a man in England who doesn't envy him,' a prominent diarist said at the time. 'The clubs are in gloom.'
Hello
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Motherhood
Time magazine carries its original report from May, 1926, when the then duchess gave birth to Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II. 'When his Majesty was awakened at Windsor by the telephone message which announced the birth of his first granddaughter, pleasurable excitement definitely ended his slumbers.'
Time
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Abdication
It was the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 that led to the coronation of Albert as George VI, and the future Queen Mother being thrust into the spotlight as queen. This is how the Guardian reported that event at the time.
Guardian Century
Letter on Wallis Simpson removed - Sydney Morning Herald
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Wartime spirit
This is London chronicles the decision for which Elizabeth was probably most famous - refusing to leave London during the second world war. 'Now I can look the East End in the face,' she is reported to have said.
This is London
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Enduring popularity
In summer 2000, the Queen Mother celebrated her 100th birthday. Drinkers at the Union Flag in Bury St Edmunds downed red, white and blue drinks in her honour, reports the East Anglian Daily Times.
East Anglian Daily Times
Tributes from world leaders on 100th birthday - About.com
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A cohesive force
South Africa's Independent Online website has an AFP article suggesting the Queen Mother had an important role in holding the monarchy together. It praises her 'sophisticated media skills'.
Independent Online (South Africa)
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A brand manager in chiffon
International Herald Tribune fashion writer Suzy Menkes praises the Queen Mother's 'century of brand management'. She puts her success down to an early decision to stay 'utterly oyster' - 1920s slang for keeping mum. 'While the younger royal generation has let it all hang out ... she has let her life unroll like a silent movie, where the clothes, the hats and the jewels have become costumes symbolising majesty and continuity.'
International Herald Tribune
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A dissenting voice
The Weekly Worker is a dissenting voice. In an article headlined 'Abolish the monarchy', it criticises our 'fawning' attitude to the Queen Mother, and suggests that her longevity and popularity has been a stroke of good luck for an increasingly remote ruling class.
Weekly Worker
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