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George VI of the United Kingdom

George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor) (14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was the third British monarch of the House of Windsor, reigning from 11 December 1936 until his death. As well as being King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the British dominions beyond the seas, George VI was the last Emperor of India (until 1947) and the last King of Ireland (until 1949).

George VI succeeded the throne unexpectedly after the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. He was most famous for his role in World War II as a symbolic leader for the British Empire's fight against Nazi Germany.

Birth and family

George VI was born on 14 December 1895 at York Cottage, on the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. His father was Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V), the second but eldest surviving son of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark. His mother was the Duchess of York (later Queen Mary), the eldest daughter of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge. He was baptised at St Mary Magdalene's Church near Sandringham and his godparents were Queen Victoria, Empress Frederick, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Princess Augusta Sophia, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Duke of Connaught, Prince Adolphus of Teck, and the Duchess of Fife.

On 23 June 1894, the Duchess of York gave birth to her eldest son Edward, who was third in line to the throne. The future George VI was the second son of his parents, and was thus fourth in line for the throne at birth.

George VI was born on the anniversary of the death of Prince Albert, the Prince Consort. Uncertain of how Albert's widow Queen Victoria would take this news, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) wrote to his son, Prince George, Duke of York, that the Queen had been a little distressed and he said: 'I really think it would gratify her if you yourself proposed the name Albert to her'. This mollified the baby's great-grandmother, who wrote to the baby's mother, the Duchess of York: 'I am all impatience to see the new one, born on such a sad day but rather more dear to me, especially as he will be called by that dear name which is a byword for all that is great and good.' However, his maternal grandmother Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge did not like the first name the baby had been given, and she prophetically wrote that she hoped the last name "may supplant the less favoured one".

Although George VI was the son and grandson of kings of the United Kingdom, his accession was the result of a play of circumstances. His father, the future George V, was the younger of the two sons of the then Prince of Wales, and was not expected ever to become king. However, his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, who had been expected to eventually ascend the throne, died unexpectedly at a young age, on 14 January 1892, of influenza which developed into pneumonia. It was this that resulted in the Duke of York later becoming King George V.

Again, George VI himself was the second son of his parents; and indeed, his elder brother became king, as Edward VIII, upon the death of their father George V. However, Edward VIII chose to abdicate his crown to marry a divorcee; it was by reason of this unforeseeable abdication, unique in the annals of England, that George VI finally came to the throne.

Early life

As a child, Albert often suffered from ill health and he was described as 'easily frightened and somewhat prone to tears'. His parents, the Duke and Duchess of York, were generally removed from their children's upbringing, as was the norm in royal families of that era. Unfortunately this allowed the Royal nanny to have a dominating role in their young lives. The nanny doted over Albert's brother, Prince Edward, while neglecting Albert. Albert developed a severe stammer that lasted for many years as well as chronic stomach problems. He also suffered from knock knees, and to correct this he had to wear splints, which were extremely painful. He was also forced to write with his right hand although he was a natural left-hander.

Growing up, he was completely outshone by his elder brother, whose dominance was one of the most important influences on his early life. Prince Edward had, according to almost everyone who ever knew him, an extraordinary and magnetic charm. No one felt his charms more strongly than the younger members of his family. In the isolation of their lives, he was the most attractive person they ever knew. In childhood they followed his leadership, while as young men they ardently admired him.

As a great grandson of Queen Victoria, he was styled His Highness Prince Albert of York from his birth. In 1898, Queen Victoria issued Letters Patent which granted the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales the style Royal Highness. Thus Albert was then styled His Royal Highness Prince Albert of York.

Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901. The Prince of Wales succeeded her as King Edward VII. The Duke of York became the new Prince of Wales. Prince Edward was then second in line for the throne, and Prince Albert was now third in line.

Military career and education

In 1909, Albert joined the Royal Navy and served as a naval cadet. Despite coming in at the bottom of the class, Albert moved to Dartmouth and served as a midshipman. He was still in the Navy when Edward VII died on 6 May 1910. His father became King George V. Prince Edward was created Prince of Wales on 2 June 1910. Albert was now second in line for the throne.

Albert served during World War I (1914 – 1918). He saw action aboard HMS Collingwood in the Battle of Jutland (31 May – 1 June 1916). The battle was a tactical victory for the German Empire but a strategic victory for the United Kingdom. In 1917, Albert joined the Royal Air Force but did not see any further action in the war. [1]

After the war, Albert studied history, economics and civics for a year at Trinity College, Cambridge, from October 1919. [1]

In 1920, Prince Albert was created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney. He then began to take on royal duties, representing his father, King George V.

Marriage

Albert had a great deal of freedom in choosing a prospective wife. In 1920 he met Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the youngest daughter of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and set his sights on marrying her. She rejected his proposal twice and hesitated for nearly two years reportedly because she was reluctant to make the sacrifices necessary to become a member of the royal family; it has been alleged, however, that she had intended to marry Edward, who turned her down. Albert would be 'made or marred' by his choice of wife and after a long and determined courtship she agreed to marry him. In an interview (for which she was later reprimanded by George V), however, Lady Elizabeth denied having turned down Albert: "Do you think I am the sort of person Bertie would have to ask twice?" They were married on 26 April 1923 in Westminster Abbey. The newly-formed BBC wished to record and broadcast the event on radio, but the Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Thomas Davidson, vetoed the idea because "men in public houses may listen to the ceremony with their hats on". Lady Elizabeth was styled Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York after their marriage.

The Duke and Duchess of York had two children:

• Elizabeth II (born April 21, 1926)

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