Until the end.

The writer has been the honorary British consul, Lahore.

ANYONE wishing to understand the machinery that drives Queen Elizabeth II should turn to its designer - her redoubtable grandmother, Queen Mary.

The consort of King-Emperor George V, Queen Mary came from peripheral royal stock. Her mother, the portly Princess Mary Adelaide, although a first cousin of Queen Victoria, had difficulty finding a husband. Eventually, at the age of 30, she married an impecunious German prince, Francis of Teck. Habitually short of funds, she appealed to Queen Victoria for handouts, which were usually denied.

Queen Victoria, though, despite the insularity of her royal existence, remained a shrewd judge of character. She selected her poor cousin's daughter May (later renamed Mary) to be the wife of her grandson, Prince Albert Victor. He died prematurely in 1892 (the year after he visited Lahore). Not to be thwarted, Queen Victoria arranged for his younger brother, George, to marry May.

Over time, Princess May (later Queen Mary) consciously perfected the image of monarchy. She dressed the part, carrying a queen's ransom of jewellery on her ample person. She restored the palaces and she pursued and recovered furniture and paintings from the royal collection that had been dispersed. Above all, she gave the monarchy a singular glittering pre-eminence, like the golden apex that once adorned the pyramids at Giza.

Today, after 70 years on the throne, Elizabeth II is herself a matriarch.

From 1936, when Queen Mary knew that her eldest son Edward's decision to abdicate was irreversible, she applied her prodigious energies to support her second son, now King-Emperor George VI. Of paramount importance to her was the continuity of the monarchy.

To this end, she commenced a rigorous programme of training for her granddaughter, Elizabeth, to become the next queen regnant. She organised tutorials in British history, in its constitution, heraldry, and royal traditions. She took her to stately homes, museums and art galleries. She made her an expert in royal etiquette.

She died in 1953, before Queen Elizabeth II could be crowned. In the last year of her life, though, she imparted her knowledge and unique experience of three coronations - that of her in-laws in 1902, her own in 1911, and her son's in 1937. And to dress her for the role, she bequeathed her treasure trove of jewellery to the young queen.

Today, after 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth is herself a matriarch...

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