The funeral of Queen Mary (born Princess Victoria Mary of Teck), widow to King George V, took place on 31 March 1953 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, following her death on 24 March and subsequent lying in state at Westminster Hall. Her death occurred two months short of her 86th birthday and ten weeks before the coronation of her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
Background
In her final year, Mary was profoundly affected by the death of her son King George VI, the third of her children to predecease her. She had been suffering from a gastric illness for some time and by the time of her death had been confined to bed for a month. It was reported in the press that those close to her felt that in her final month she was more accepting of the reality of her condition and felt she had fulfilled her goal of preserving the monarchy and her life was coming to a natural end. The curtains at her room were also drawn as she complained about the light in her eye.
Death
Mary reportedly had a haemorrhage on 24 March 1953. A bulletin released at Marlborough House at 11:40 am announced that there were concerns for her health condition. A second bulletin at 1:40 pm stated that her condition had "become more grave" and there was "a serious weakening of the heart action". At 7:00 pm, it was announced that Mary was losing strength but "sleeping peacefully". She died in her sleep at Marlborough House at 10:20 pm. The announcement, put out at 11:15 pm, was signed by Sir Horace Evans and Lord Webb-Johnson. Her daughter, the Princess Royal, was by her side. Her eldest son, the Duke of Windsor, had visited her twice during the day, returned to Marlborough House for a third time ten minutes after his mother's death. Both the Princess Royal and the Duke of Windsor had cut short their holiday in the United States and the West Indies as their mother's condition worsened. Mary's other surviving son, the Duke of Gloucester; her granddaughters Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret; her daughter-in-law Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; and other members of the royal family also visited her on her final day. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Windsor, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra all visited Marlborough House in the following day. A spokesperson for the Duchess of Windsor, who had not accompanied her husband to Britain, stated that she was "very distressed".
Reactions
Following the announcement, Mary's banner of arms which flew over Marlborough House was lowered. Flags flew at half-mast on government buildings and warships in Britain and across other countries in the British Commonwealth until after the funeral. Prime Minister Winston Churchill informed the House of Commons of her death at 10:45 pm. He also brought forward a motion of condolence, which was supported by the Leader of the Opposition, Clement Attlee. Tributes were also paid at the Federal Parliament of Australia. Messages of condolences were also issued by the Pope, the King of Sweden, U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, French president Vincent Auriol, German president Theodor Heuss, South Korean president Syngman Rhee, and British Commonwealth ambassadors and other officials. The BBC interrupted the Light and Third programmes at 11:25 pm to announce her demise. No further programmes were broadcast afterwards, except for news and weather forecasts. The day after her death, courts and the London Stock Exchange observed a short silence before starting business. The Royal Household observed a mourning period of one month until 25 April and the official engagements of the royal family were cancelled, though the coronation of her granddaughter Elizabeth II was not postponed per Mary's wishes. Preparations for the coronation also meant that Westminster Abbey was ruled out as the venue for her funeral. On 25 March, the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, of which Mary was colonel-in-chief, held a regimental parade dedicated to her memory.
Lying in state
Mary's coffin was placed at the Queen's Chapel in the grounds of Marlborough House on 26 March, where it was guarded by members of her household. On 29 March at noon, the Archbishop of Canterbury conducted a small service at the chapel attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother, and other members of the royal family. A wreath of lilies, roses and carnations from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh was on top, with a wreath from the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, and another from Mary's children and other daughters-in-law placed nearby.