Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 80th Birthday Ceremonial for the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, 15th July, 1980

London: Harrison & Sons Ltd. by Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Printers, 1980. Pamphlet. Here is a copy of the order of service for the 15 July 1980 80th birthday ceremonial of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, detailing the elaborate ceremonial procession of the Royal Family to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the service given within, along with a seating plan for those in the Royal procession. This program is foolscap folio size (30 x 20.3cm), printed in black on smooth, white paper and in very good condition. The paper wraps are crisp and free of tears or creases. We note only very light soiling to the front cover. The contents are immaculate, bright, clean, and free of markings.

Born to Scottish nobility, Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (1900-2002) was nevertheless an unlikely figure for her future position as Queen of England. In 1921 she married Prince Albert, Duke of York, the second son of King George V. If royal succession had gone according to plan she never would have become queen; the throne was to pass to Prince Albert’s elder brother, the eventual Edward VIII and his future children. Upon the death of George V, Edward VIII was crowned. However, less than a year into his reign his marriage to Wallis Simpson, a twice divorced American socialite, forced him to abdicate the throne. Albert was then crowned King George VI and Elizabeth served as Queen of England until the death of her husband and inauguration of her daughter who was crowned Elizabeth II in 1952. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother continued to fulfill public duties during her daughter's reign, and lived to 101 years of age.