It was the receipt of an unexpected letter from a certain Reverend Arthur A. Hall one day in 1941 which prompted Eric Coates to consider the notion of creating an orchestral suite-based on the generations of the British royal family. The "Three Elizabeths" of the title depict three figures. The first movement, "Halcyon Days,"suggests Elizabeth I (Tudor). This opens with a fanfare played by the horns, and then continues with a lively, animated figure which characterizes the Elizabethan appetite for swashbuckling adventure upon the high seas, very much as personified by the exploits of Sir Francis Drake. The opening horn fanfare returns triumphantly at the end of the movement, and in more restful guise; it then also serves to introduce the next section of the work, though in a slower tempo. This is Coates' portrait of Elizabeth of Glamis, the Queen Mother, and carries the subtitle "Springtime in Angus," in recognition of her lifelong love of the countryside of northern Scotland, and the pastoral surroundings amid which she spent her childhood years. There is a prominent and plaintive melody for solo oboe, possibly a reminder of a traditional Scottish folk ballad. Later on, a solo violin quotes the melody to which the Robert Burns setting of the poem "My Love is like a Red, Red Rose" is sung. The "Three Elizabeths" Suite concludes with a rousing march entirely typical of Coates. It is entitled "Youth of Britain," and portended the new confidence and style epitomized by Princess Elizabeth, who became Queen Elizabeth II after acceding to the British throne in 1951. An opening trumpet flourish and bold main theme are in the style of Coates' famous Knightsbridge March. The suite reaches a proudly assertive final climax, again reflecting Coates' confidence in the spirit of a new generation of the English monarchy, and also looked forward to happier times of post-war regeneration. For Eric Coates, Princess Elizabeth and the "Youth of Britain" gave hope of a new and positive future even as the darkest days of World War II approached.

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