In April 1926, one of the most important royal events of the 20th century took place. A little girl was born in London. Her arrival on April 21st 1926 was the start of one of the most famous royal stories in history. She grew up to be Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning Monarch that Britain has ever known.
At the time of her arrival, she was the much anticipated baby of the second in line to the throne and his hugely popular wife. There was no expectation that their child would ever reign. But there was great expectation about her arrival. Then, as now, the papers were filled with royal news and this month, as we count down to the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Central will be looking back at the royal headlines from 1926 and how the story of Elizabeth II began.
A new home for a Duke of York
The Duke and Duchess of York had decided to move home in 1926. Although no formal announcement had been made of a pregnancy, as was usual, it was common knowledge that the duchess was going to have a baby. In the first days of 1926, the papers had mentioned that Elizabeth, then 25, would no longer be undertaking public engagements and was unlikely to restart duties until the summer.
On April 1 1926, several papers reported that the couple were about to settle at Bruton Street. They were moving back in to number 17, the London residence of Elizabeth’s parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.
In ‘Echoes from Town’ published in the Nottingham Evening Post, there was confirmation that the royal couple were on the move. The paper noted that ”the London home of the Strathmores is a rather unpretentious looking place, boasting the inevitable area and basement, but roomy enough within. The Duchess of York has selected her own room at the back of the house, well away from the noise of any traffic in the street.”
That, of course, was another nudge to the reader about the arrival that everyone knew was imminent but was talking about in a very 1920s ways.
A moment of history approaches
There was more hinting going on in the Newry Reporter on April 1 1926 where the home swap of the Duke and Duchess of York was once again a hot topic of debate. The paper reported that ”the Duke and Duchess of York will give up their tenancy of Curzon Street at Easter, after which they will take up their residence at 17 Bruton Street.”
And the paper added ”it is reasonable to assume that Their Royal Highnesses, making the move early in April, will certainly be in residence in Bruton Street on and after ”the end of April or beginning of May”, a period which has a special significance for them.”
(Wiki Commons)
That was about as close as anyone got to mentioning a due date for the royal baby whose imminent arrival hadn’t even been officially confirmed. Now, as then, the Royal Family don’t share specific due dates. There is usually an understanding of when the baby might arrive. And in this case, 100 years ago, reporters had gathered enough information to hint that the baby, a third grandchild for King George V and Queen Mary, was expected as April turned to May.
The baby, as it would turn out, had other ideas. Less than three weeks later, she would be born.
Our countdown to the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II continues tomorrow.
