She may have been called into action as Queen reluctantly after the abdication of Edward VIII, but it didn't stop Elizabeth Lyons becoming probably the most popular member of the royal family.
Exalted world-wide for her friendly manner, warmth and humour, she became a friend to many but particular in Coventry and Warwickshire which she frequently visited during her lifetime.
Queen Elizabeth's resolve and dogged determindness during the war will ensure she remains in the history books forever - and not just in our affections.
She first arrived in the area in 1940, while Coventry was stepping up its war effort and before German bombers arrived to devastate the city.
| 听 |  | The ruins of Coventry Cathdral after the Blitz
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She toured Alfred Herbert and other munitions factories and the glamorous young queen boosted morale amongst workers with her words of encouragement.
She was to return in 1942 to see the ruined city for herself , paying particular attention to the bombed cathedral.
听She toured the ruins with Bishop D Neville and looked over plans to regenerate the city.
Her support made it fitting that she was guest of honour at the 50th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz memorial in 1990.
She attended a remembrance service at the new cathedral, persented a cross to German President Richard von Weisacker, and then moved to the old ruins she remembered from the war.
She unveiled a commemorative plaque, which still has pride of place the building, which reads: "Nation shall not lift sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war any more."
| 听 |  | Elizabeth House in Stratford, which was opened by the Queen Mother
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She made frequent visits to Stratford and saw performances of Henry VII and Henry V at the RSC, in 1950 with the King and Princess Margaret.
In 1974, she returned to open a section of the Upper Avon among hoards of cheering crowds.
She made her final tour of the town in 1985 when she arrived to open Stratford District Council's headquarters, Elizabeth House.
听In 1951, the Queen became the first royal visitor at Warwick Castle for centuries.
Warwick was the scene of another first in 1958 when it became the first place in the are she visited as Queen Mother.
| 听 |  | Warwick Castle, where the Queen Mother was a visitor in the 1950s
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She arrived to open the first section of Shire Hall, Warwickshire County Council's base, and opened the rest of the building in 1968.
Perhaps her favourite visit came in 1983 when she visited Warwick Racecourse.
The "First Woman of Racing" as she became known, to mark 2,000 winners and 40 years in racing for her trainer, Fulke Walwyn.
听In 1952, the then Queen made the first of two visits to the Lord Leyester Hospital to official open it after rennovation work.
She returned in 1988 to open the Queen's Own Hussars Regimental Museum in the building.
The Queen Mother was a frequent visitor to the Royal Show.
She was an enthusiastic supporter of the rural community and often presented prizes at Stoneleigh - as well as attracting more visitors to the Show Ground.
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