It’s amazing what you learn from popular culture. Up until the recent series of ‘I’m a celebrity…’ I had never heard of Lady Colin Campbell, a writer who married into (and divorced out of) the British aristocracy and went on to pen ‘tell all’ books about Diana and the Queen Mother.
Until recently I had never heard her theory that Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (better known to us as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother) was not the daughter of her legal mother, but in fact the result of a ‘surrogacy’ arrangement between her father, the future Earl of Strathmore and Kingmore, and Marguerite Rodiere, a French cook who worked at one of their residences.
It’s an absurd theory. What makes me really angry is that Lady Colin must be aware of that.
The story goes that after eight successful pregnancies, Celia, Lady Glamis (the future Countess) was unable to bear any more children. Therefore, in an early version of surrogacy, they approached a member of their household to help them get two further children by proxy: Elizabeth and her little brother David. The following arguments are given in evidence:
- The Queen Mother’s middle name was Marguerite – a sure sign (apparently) of her real parentage
- The Duke and Duchess of Windsor (the Queen Mother’s brother and sister-in-law) used to refer to her behind her back as ‘cookie,’ an innuendo as to her origin
- The story is apparently ‘widely known’ in aristocratic circles
None of this even begins to stack up. Firstly, choosing a middle name is not usually seen as a practice of identifying maternity. It might well be that the Strathmores were fond of their cook and decided to honour her in their daughter’s name, or possibly more likely, through her they became aware of the name and just decided they liked it. It could of course, just be a coincidence.
The snub of the Windsors also adds no weight to this case. They are widely understood to have used this nickname because the then Duchess of York, with her soft and plump appearance, reminded them of a Scottish Cook. More than anything else, they were just looking to be derogatory.
As to whether this story was ‘doing the rounds’ in aristocratic circles, I cannot say. I do not myself mix in them. However, I would caution everyone to be wary of any historian who makes an argument based on sources that very few people have access to. Just because something happens to be the subject of gossip doesn’t make it true; gossip often is, after all, exactly that!
Anyway, this theory begs some even more obvious questions. After bearing eight healthy children, would the couple really be so desperate to have another two that they would go to such extremes? Would the proud and high-born coupling of Bowes-Lyon and Cavendish really be so prepared to contaminate their blood line?
The real reason this suggestion is so ludicrous, is the striking physical resemblance between Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her own mother. While I appreciate that this isn’t the most scientific approach in the world, let’s just stand back a minute and take a look at some pictures. I genuinely don’t believe anyone can look at these pictures and honestly take alternative theories about the Queen Mother’s parentage seriously. I can only conclude that Lady Colin Campbell’s desire to sell books far out weighted her determination to tell the truth.
This makes me very angry indeed.
Okay geeks…what do you think? Am I being too harsh? Should I give Lady C the benefit of the doubt? Or are you as angry about this as I am?
And why would they have needed to have 10 children instead of 8?
The story really doesn’t make any sense, but, sure, people will bite. 🙁
I agree. So sad what some people will do for attention / money
I can’t see any resemblance between the two, anyway the mire interesting would would be to compare the cook and Elizabeth.
quite funny to read your opinion and how you get upset, the RF won’t give a dime about what you or anybody else is thinking about them. as history (by real scientific means) shows anything is possible and everything happened in the past and happens today though modern times&techniques make things more complicated.
are you really that naive?
If you’re going to make derogatory comments about a well written and informative article at least have the courtesy to use grammar and spelling clear enough to convey what you are actually trying to say, referring to the Royal Family as ‘RF’ and using slang such as “won’t give a dime” is hardly the way to convey your opinion intelligently. Whether you agree or disagree is irrelevant, there was no need for your impolite, semi literate rant.
It certainly does – if the future Earl was still virile and sexually active (he certainly seems to have been till then, having fatehred no less than 8 children pretty fast) and his wife Cecilia was no longer medical biologically able to cope up.with the demands of his bed.
Teh story certainly does make sense – if the future Earl was still virile and sexually active (he certainly seems to have been till then, having fatehred no less than 8 children pretty fast) and his wife Cecilia was no longer medical biologically able to cope up.with the demands of his bed.
8 chikdren becoming 10 was, not the goal, but the result.
Surely we all know THAT?
I think it’s perfectly possible that The Queen Mother and her brother David was not the daughter of Celia Strathmore .
Forget the so called photograph evidence ; I look like people I’ve never even met !
The Earl of Strathmore himself , told his attendant Dr Ayles who was with him on his death bed when he died abided 89 at Glamis Castle , the Elizabeth and David Bowes-Lyon were the natural children of himself and the family cook, Marguerite Rodiere because Lady Strathmore had wanted more children, but had been unable to conceive them , in fact , she’d retired into a kind of marriage blanche with Lord Strathmore by then . The upper classes of the period , people like Diana Duff-Cooper, for example , often not only preferred to not indulge in the carnal side of marriage ,but also thought it a “purer” kind of relationship and chose their husband’s mistresses for them so that marriages between important families could be arranged and yet the husband could enjoy the affections of someone of lower station.
The Queen Mother actually thanked the actress , Boo Laye , for fulfilling carnal duties with her beloved Bertie that she herself would not / could not .
Really, all you people who are morally offended and aghast , need to do more research on this period in time before expressing outrage !
Elizabeth and David Bowes-Lyon were referred to as “ The Benjamin’s” by the whole family . Anyone who knows the Bible will know that a “Benjamin” was a child born out of wedlock , between a master ) Benjamin ) and his maids servant .
The whole thing was living in plain sight really – the lower classes had no clue what went on at the turning of th 20th century and is appears by the comments that they still don’t !
The Queen Mother was beautiful – and an exceptionally gorgeous child. She so resembled her own mother, Cecelia. The nasty gossip liars should be ashamed.
I know so little about the Royals of Great Britain. The idea that the Queen Mother’s mother may be the biological daughter of Marguerite Rodiere struck me as preposterous. I am reading a novel called “The Queen’s Secret” by Karen Harper who makes this assumption. You probably know of this book. However your theories seem to negate Harper’s allegation, especially the inclusion of photographs. Can you tell me more?
Joseph
I’m not the biggest royal geek, but I’m a nosy yank, getting lost in the internet during our pandemic. Just wanted to say I’m impressed by your research with reasoned evidence to back it up. I’m convinced, though I didn’t know about before reading… gives me hope that the internet’s future won’t be a complete wasteland. Cheers from Pittsburgh, PA!
That’s really encouraging, Jeannie. Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
Interesting Genealogy link showing the suriving children of the Earl of Strathmore.
Note the 7 year gap between Elozabeth Marguerite and the sibling just above her, and the under 2 yesr age difference between her and the brother David given as the cook’s offspring….
If the family is open about it why on earth should we make a song and a dance….
https://gw.geneanet.org/frebault?lang=en&pz=henri&nz=frebault&p=claude+george&n=bowes+lyon
The two youngest children of the Strathmore family, David and Elizabeth, were known as “ the two Benjamin’s” in the family . Anyone will tell you that a “ Benjamin” in biblical terms , was the natural offspring of the master of the house ( Benjamin) , conceived with one of the maid servants , with the permission of the mistress of the house , because she had no desire or no ability to conceive any more children . Another term for such children born into the British Aristocracy, was a “ Jacket” . I think it’s altogether perfectly possible that Elizabeth Strathmore aka The Queen Mother was the product of her father and the cook at Glamis Castle , Marguerite Rodiere . In fact , Elizabeth herself was christened Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon .
Remember , this is no criticism of the British Royal Family , the Queen Mother was not herself born royal and such things were very common in aristocratic families at the time we are discussing – ie the late Victorian, early Edwardian period . Women often chose their husbands mistresses for them , many women did not enjoy the carnal part of marriage . The Queen and Princess Margaret whilst being the children of The Queen Mother & George VI , were probably conceived by “ Turkey baster” the late QM had the same distaste of sex as many gentlewomen of her generation and shared the affections of her husband , Bertie , with an actress called Boo Laye .
Yes, it may sound absolutely shocking but remember …..
“The past is another country , where they do things differently” .
Who are we to judge ?
Also. The Queen Mother never gave a straight answer to the question”where were you born?”