Princess Victoria Mary of Teck

Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (later Queen Mary, the indomitable matriarch we are introduced to in the first episodes of "The Crown"), and her mother Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. Taken circa 1891.

Queen Mary was informally known as “May” in her younger years, after the month of her birth. Her mother’s nickname in noble and royal circles was not so sweet, however. She was referred to as "Fat Mary", a rather cruel shot at her plus-size figure.

Princess Mary Adelaide was herself a granddaughter of King George III, and first cousin of Queen Victoria. In her own time, she was referred to by the public as "The People’s Princess", thanks to her kind and personable manner, and very generous charitable donations to a wide variety of causes.

Her generosity, combined with her and her hubsand’s costly personal spending, meant that they racked up big debts, and at one point had to flee the country to avoid the bailiffs.