Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, later known as the Queen Mother, was the enduringly popular grande dame of Royal Family, who became Britain’s most beloved symbol of courage and self-sacrifice during World War 2. In a life, which spanned longer than the 20th century, Elizabeth presided over a period of change in Britain and helped sustain the monarchy through difficult times. Not many are aware that she also broke almost 250 years of royal protocol the day she became the Duchess of York.

2018 Channel 5 documentary “The Queen Mother” notes how Elizabeth became the first commoner to marry into the Royal Family.

At the time, there was still careful distinctions between the royals and different levels of aristocracy and princes and princess were still expected to marry other blue bloods.

Royal historian Alastair Bruce said: “It doesn’t seem odd to us now but the fact she was a commoner and wasn’t a member of the Royal Family was really new and broke convention.”

Mr Bruce added: “Yet King George and Queen Mary adored her freshness of attitude.

“She had utterly beguiling eyes and impish style.

“I don’t think the King had ever really come across that before.”

British biographer and historian Philip Ziegler shockingly added that “it is probably true to say that the King liked his daughter-in-law almost more than any of his own children”.

He noted: “She was a very warm and charming presence.

“She was obviously respectful towards them but didn’t take them all that seriously.”

It has been argued that Elizabeth was the very reason Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have been allowed to marry in the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge officially became sisters-in-law last May, following Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in Windsor Castle.

However, if the Royal Family was still following hierarchal structures, this would have never happened.

Both Duchesses come from working-class families and by monarchy standards are considered “commoners”.

Meghan’s mother is a social worker and her father is a former television lighting director.

Kate’s parents worked in aviation before launching their own party supply company.

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