Mary of Teck

Biography

Princess Victoria Mary of Teck was born at Kensington Palace in 1867, the only daughter of Francis, Duke of Teck, and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, a granddaughter of George III. Known in the family as May, she was taught at home, lived for a time in Florence while her indebted father economised abroad, and spoke English, German and French.

In 1891 she became engaged to Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, who died six weeks later. In 1893 she married his brother George, Duke of York; they had six children, among them the future Edward VIII and George VI. As Duchess of Cornwall and York and then Princess of Wales she toured the Empire with her husband in 1901 and India in 1905-1906.

When George V came to the throne in May 1910 she became queen consort and empress of India. She was crowned with him at Westminster Abbey in June 1911 and attended the Delhi Durbar that December. During the First World War she imposed rationing at the palace and visited wounded servicemen, and she advised the King closely on public affairs.

Widowed in January 1936, she saw her eldest son abdicate that year and supported George VI through his reign, spending the Second World War at Badminton House. A noted collector for the Royal Collection, she died at Marlborough House in March 1953, shortly before the coronation of her granddaughter Elizabeth II.