PUBLIC DUTIES

After the King's death, The Queen Mother continued her public duties in the UK and overseas. These included over 40 official visits abroad, including a 1989 visit to Canada which marked the 50th anniversary of her first visit there.

Her Majesty was Patron or President of some 350 organisations. She was Commandant-in-Chief of the Army and Air Force Women's Services, and for Women in the Royal Navy, and held other Service appointments. For many years she was President of the British Red Cross Society, and she was Commandant-in-Chief of the Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade. She was also Colonel-in-Chief or Honorary Colonel of many UK and overseas regiments, and Commandant-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School.

The Queen Mother accepted honorary degrees from many universities, and was Chancellor of the University of London for 25 years until 1980, and the first Chancellor of Dundee University. In 1978 she was appointed Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle.

The Queen Mother attended a number of official engagements marking her 100th birthday in the summer of 2000. These began with a lunch at the Guildhall on 27th June hosted by the Corporation of London. This was followed by a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral on 11th July and then a birthday pageant on Horse Guards Parade on 19th July.

On her 100th birthday, Her Majesty received, like other centenarians, a message of congratulations from The Queen.