Biography of King George VI of the United Kingdom 1895-1952

Adelaide Mail 1925 November 21. 21st November 1925. Death of [his grandmother] Queen Alexandra (deceased)

Peaceful End of a Good Woman

Universal Tributes Of Love And Esteem

Alexandra, Dowager Queen of England, who was 81 years of age, and has been in feeble health for the past three years, was seized with a heart attack on Thursday morning about 11 o'clock and passed away at 5.25 on Friday afternoon.

('The Sun" Cable Service) London. Today. A high authority states that the first seizure which Queen Alexandra suffered occurred at 11 a.m. on Thursday, before she had risen. The dangerous nature of the condition was immediately realized. Queen Alexandra had wonderful vitality and met the crisis with all her courage, but was handicapped by her advanced age, coupled with her weak health for the past three years, which enfeebled her. The seizure followed a slight attack last week, of which the public were not informed.

Oxygen Administered

Despite the repeated administration of oxygen to Queen Alexandra, at 4.15 p.m. yesterday she was rapidly losing her strength, but was fighting death gallantly. She had not then realised the worst. She spoke to the King and Queen.

Last Moments

Sandringham was shrouded in a thick fog, which darkened the windows, at the time of the Queen's death. The scene in the death chamber was tragically impressive. Their Majesties, the [his aunt] Queen of Norway (age 55), [his aunt] Princess Victoria (age 57), and the [his aunt] Princess Royal (age 58) arrived dressed in black. Prince Henry sat silently waiting and speaking little, though repeatedly questioning the physicians and expressing a hope for improvement. Queen Alexandra was in a most serious condition at 1 o'clock, but she rallied and appeared to recognize the family grouped at her bedside. She smiled sweetly and then an expression charged with poignant meaning illuminated her pale face. She immediately sank into unconscious ness, in which she died.

Official Bulletin

An official bulletin states that the [his father] King (age 60) and [his mother] Queen (age 58) and members of the family were at the bedside. Queen Alexandra died at 5.25 p.m.

Prince Delayed

The railway station master at Sandringham broke the news of Queen Alexandra's death to the [his brother] Prince of Wales (age 31) and the Duke of York (age 29), who arrived there at 6.45 p.m. Fog delayed the train carrying the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, who were stunned on learning the news in the station waiting room. Their faces showed the intensity of their grief. They entered a motor car, which crept slowly through the fog to Sandringham. Lady Charlote Knollys (age 90), the lady in waiting; was lying ill in another; wing of the House, was among the first to be informed of Queen Alexandra's death.

Queen's Favorite Sister

Queen Alexandra's favorite sister the Dowager-Empress of Russia, is seriously ill at Hvidore, in Denmark. She has repeatedly expressed a wish to see Queen Alexandra.

Place of Burial

If is understood that Queen Alexandra will be buried in the vault alongside her husband and the Duke of Clarence in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, which has been the Boyal family's burial place' for 150 years.

The funeral arrangements have not yet fceen decided, pending the King's wishes but a state funeral in London is certain.

Lord Mayors Message

The King sent this message to the Lord Mayor:— 'I regret to inform you that my beloved mother has passed away." The Lord Mayor replied:— "On behalf of the London citizens I beg Your Majesty to accept our profound sympathy and condolences. The death of your illustrious mother removes a much revered and universally beloved public personality."

Great Press Tributes:

"According to 'The Westminster Gazette' the secret of the popular affection and esteem that Queen Alexandra enjoyed for 60 years was her personal charm and her devotion to her domestic and public duties. In any other walk of life she would have been known as an ideal mother. The extent of her private benefactions will never be known.

Her heavy personal sorrows were thrust bravely aside when public duty claimed her, and she was a gracious and majestic Queen Consort.

'The Daily News' says that Queen Alexandra leaves a memory of a gracious and winning personality, and a name that will always be held 'in honor among her adopted people.'

''The Dally Mail' says: — 'His people Empire-wide tender heartfelt sympathy to the King: in the hour of the greatest bereavement a man can know 'Queen Alexandra's life has been great and good, untouched by a breath of gossip or criticism. She was devoted to the welfare of her people, and was filled with affection and love for her own family and also for all sufferers. Queen Alexandra's wedding, as the first Royal marriage to evoke Empire-wide interest, was a landmark in Imperial history.'

The 'Daily Herald' says that the nation visualises Queen Alexandra as a good wife and good mother, whose most acute affliction was the death of her eldest son. Happily there was another to take his place.

Public Sorrow

Queen Alexandra's peaceful death was announced as Londoner were proceeding homeward along the streets. Immediately hushed expressions of sorrow were general. The news reached the Sandringham Rail way Station as the train was running in. Men removed their hats and women sobbed The Prince of Wales leaped on to the platform before the train stopped and vram followed by the Duke of York, who raised his hat slowly in response to the by standers' sympathy.