Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne Biography

Claude George Bowes-Lyon was born in Lowndes Square, Belgravia, Middlesex, England, on March 14, 1855, to Claude Bowes-Lyon, 13th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Frances Smith, or Frances Dora Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne.

His younger brother, tennis player Patrick Bowes-Lyon, won the 1887 Wimbledon doubles. Educated at Eton College, Claude worked for the 2nd Life Guards in 1876. He continued with them for 6 years. He was part of the Territorial Army and was named an honorary colonel of the Black Watch’s 4th/5th Battalion.

On February 16, 1904, Claude took over his father’s title of Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Apart from succeeding his father to the Earldom, he also inherited huge estates in Scotland and England.

Some of his inherited properties included the Glamis Castle, Gibside Hall, St. Paul's Walden Bury, and Streatlam Castle in County Durham. He was also known as Lord Glamis from 1865 to 1904

He was also named Lord Lieutenant of Angus. He left the office of Lord Lieutenant after his daughter became the queen. In 1923, Claude’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth, got married to Prince Albert, Duke of York. Albert was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary.

Claude was named a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order to mark Elizabeth’s marriage. The Earl’s grand-daughter, Princess Elizabeth (who later took over the reins of the kingdom as Queen Elizabeth II) was born in 1926, at his home, 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.

In 1928, the Earl was named a Knight of the Thistle. In 1936, the Earl’s son-in-law took over as King George VI. Elizabeth thus became queen consort, and following her husband’s death, she became known as Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

As the father of the new queen, the Earl was named a Knight of the Garter and also the 1st Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, a UK peerage, in the 1937 Coronation Honors (although he already had the Scottish title, the 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne).

Since the members of the peerage of Scotland could not automatically be part of the House of Lords, Claude had previously participated only as a baron by virtue of the Barony of Bowes that was created for his father. After being named the 1st Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, he could sit as an Earl in the House of Lords. At the coronation ceremony of his daughter and son-in-law, the Earl and the Countess were seen sitting in the royal box, along with Queen Mary and their granddaughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

Claude married Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck on July 16, 1881, at the St. Peter's Church in Petersham, Surrey. Cecilia was the eldest daughter of Rev. Charles Cavendish-Bentinck (grandson of British PM William Cavendish-Bentinck) and his wife, Louisa.

Claude’s love for forestry made him a pioneer in growing larch from seed in England. He had a large number of tenants in his estates and was known for his kind behavior towards them.

Like a true landowner, he worked on his own farm and seemed to enjoy physical labor in his estate. He was often so engrossed in farming in his estate, visitors would mistake him for a common farm laborer.

Claude made his cocoa for breakfast and was fond of diluting his wine at dinner. He was known to be a genuine and uncomplicated person but was apprehensive of royal duties.

Cecilia was gregarious and known to be a good hostess. She also played the piano well. An avid gardener, she designed the Italian Garden at Glamis. Known to be extremely religious, she preferred a quiet life. She was also known for her fine embroidery.

During World War I, Glamis Castle became a make-shift hospital for the wounded. During that time, Cecilia actively participated in the hospital activities. She later developed cancer but was on her way to recovery by 1922.

Claude and Cecilia had 10 children, namely daughters Violet Hyacinth Bowes-Lyon; Mary Frances Elphinstone, Lady Elphinstone; Rose Leveson-Gower, Countess Granville; and Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, who became Elizabeth, Queen of the United Kingdom, and sons, Patrick Bowes-Lyon, 15th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne; Lieutenant The Hon. John Bowes-Lyon; Alexander Bowes-Lyon; Captain The Hon. Fergus Bowes-Lyon; Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. Michael Claude Hamilton Bowes-Lyon; and Sir David Bowes-Lyon.

In 1923, his ninth child, Elizabeth, married the Duke of York (the future King George VI). She became queen consort in 1936, and after the death of her husband, she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Claude’s grand-daughter later ruled as Queen Elizabeth II.

Violet died of diphtheria at 11 years of age, while Alexander died of a brain tumor at age 24. Fergus was killed in the Battle of Loos at 26.

In his later years, the Earl became deaf. He died of bronchitis on November 7, 1944, in Glamis, Angus, Scotland, UK, at age 89. He was buried in Glamis and was succeeded by his son, Patrick.