Your conspiracy theory is interesting. She was quite an influence on her husband as I understand, especially in the turmoil after the abdication of his brother. She was also quite beloved of the population of Britain because she was so public during the War, especially during the Blitz. She didn't run, and they admired that.
I think she was always more popular than both her husband AND her daughter!
I loved your spider lily! Some plants seem more alien than anything on a science-fiction show ...
The Queen Mum had guts. Lots of her funny quotes are listed in Wikipedia. Apparently, her staff was almost completely homosexual, and, after her gin and tonic was continuously delayed by backstairs bickering, "When one of you young queens has finished, can you bring this old Queen a drink?"
She was, apparently, quite the wit.