Elizabeth was Queen for fewer than 15 years, but continued as a much-cherished public figure throughout the following decades until her death at the age 101. Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born at St Paul's Waldenbury, the Hertfordshire house of her parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the ninth of ten children. She was educated at home by a governess, mainly in domestic science, painting, the piano, French and German. Her otherwise happy childhood was marred by the death of her brother, Fergus, in the first world war, and the wounding of two others. She first met Prince Albert, the Duke of York, and the second in line to the throne, as a child. He was a close friend of her elder brothers and a frequent visitor to the Strathmore and Kinghorne estate. Although he was one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, she refused his proposal of marriage twice. She later admitted she finally accepted out of duty, but later fell in love with him. They were married on 23 April 1923 and had two daughters, Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen, and Princess Margaret. In 1936, following the abdication of King Edward VIII, Albert came unexpectedly to the throne as George VI. Elizabeth became Queen Consort and last Empress of India. 'Bertie', who had a severe stammer, found public duties difficult and relied on the help of his queen. During the second world war, she gained the respect of the people of London by insisting on staying in the capital after the bombing of Buckingham Palace. Advised to send her daughters to Canada for the duration of the war, she is reported to have said: "The children will not leave unless I do. I shall not leave unless their father does; and the King will not leave the country in any circumstances." The King died of lung cancer on 5 February 1952, and her eldest daughter ascended to the throne. Elizabeth may have been expected to fade from public view, but, as the Queen Mother, she maintained her public profile throughout the rest of her long life. She was famed for her warmth, exuberance and informal approach. She died on 30 March 2002.