Who was George VI? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Albert Frederick Arthur George

Died At Age: 56

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (m. 1923–1952)

siblings: Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent, Edward VIII, Mary, Prince George, Prince Henry, Prince John of the United Kingdom, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood

children: Countess of Snowdon, Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret

Born Country: England

Emperors & Kings British Men

Height: 1.75 m

Died on: February 6, 1952

place of death: Sandringham, Norfolk, England

Diseases & Disabilities: Lung Cancer

Cause of Death: Coronary Thrombosis

City: Norfolk, England

Founder/Co-Founder: King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, Bangalore Military School

More Facts

education: Trinity College, Cambridge

awards: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
Companion of the Liberation
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order

Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit
Grand Cross of the Order of the White Eagle
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Legionnaire of Legion of Merit
Order of St. Vladimir
4th class

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1

When did George VI become King of the United Kingdom?

George VI became King of the United Kingdom on December 11, 1936.
2

What major event occurred during George VI's reign?

One major event that occurred during George VI's reign was World War II.
3

What challenges did George VI face during his reign?

George VI faced challenges such as leading the country through World War II and managing the transition of the British Empire to a Commonwealth of Nations.
4

What was George VI's role during World War II?

During World War II, George VI played a crucial role in boosting morale and providing leadership to the British people.
5

How did George VI's reign impact the monarchy in the 20th century?

George VI's reign had a significant impact on the modernization and adaptation of the British monarchy in the 20th century.

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Childhood & Early Life

George VI was born on December 14, 1895 at York Cottage, on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, UK, to Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V) and Duchess of York (later Queen Mary). Born on the 34th death anniversary of his great-grandfather, Albert, Prince Consort, he was baptized as 'Albert Frederick Arthur George', and was commonly known as 'Bertie' among friends and family.

Second child of his parents, he had an elder brother, Edward VIII; one younger sister, Mary, Princess Royal; and three younger brothers, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester; Prince George, Duke of Kent; and Prince John. He was fourth in the line of ascension for the throne, after his grand-father, father, and elder brother.

Described as a frail child, he suffered from ill health, especially chronic stomach problems, was easily frightened and prone to tears, and had developed a stammer that troubled him even after he ascended the throne. He had knock knees, for which he was forced to wear painful corrective splints, and despite being naturally left-handed, he was also forced to write with his right hand.

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Education & Military Career

George VI entered Royal Naval College, Osborne, as a naval cadet in 1909, and despite finishing at the bottom of his class in the final examination in 1911, progressed to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. After completing his education, he served on the training ship HMS 'Cumberland' in the West Indies and on the east coast of Canada for six months in 1913.

He later joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman aboard HMS 'Collingwood' on September 15, 1913, and spent three months in the Mediterranean. After the First World War started, he served as a turret officer aboard 'Collingwood' in the indecisive 'Battle of Jutland', which was the largest naval action of the war against the German navy.

He had to withdraw from the war because of a duodenal ulcer which forced him to undergo operation in November 1917. Later in February 1918, he was appointed Officer in Charge of Boys at the Royal Naval Air Service's training establishment at Cranwell.

Two months later, after the Royal Air Force was established and Cranwell was reassigned from Admiralty to Air Ministry responsibility, he moved from the Royal Navy to the Royal Air Force. Till August 1918, he served as Officer Commanding Number 4 Squadron of the Boys' Wing at Cranwell.

In August 1918, he completed two weeks of training at the RAF's Cadet School at St Leonards-on-Sea, following which he received command of a squadron on the Cadet Wing. With this, he became the first member of the British royal family to be certified as a fully qualified pilot.

In October 1918, after being posted to General Trenchard's staff in France, he flew to Autigny and served on the staff of the RAF's Independent Air Force during the last few weeks of the First World War. On July 31, 1919, he qualified as an RAF pilot and the very next day, was promoted to squadron leader.

He studied history, economics and civics under historian R. V. Laurence at Trinity College, Cambridge, for a year starting in October 1919. After his father named him Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney on June 4, 1920, he took up more royal duties such as representing his father at coal mines, factories, and railyards.

While he appeared less impressive than his elder brother Edward due to his shyness and stammer, he was more physically active and was named President of the Industrial Welfare Society for improving working conditions. He earned the nickname 'Industrial Prince' and, between 1921 and 1939, he was instrumental in bringing out boys from different social backgrounds to the annual summer camps.

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Marriage

George VI became infatuated with married Australian socialite Sheila, Lady Loughborough, during his early youth. However, his father persuaded him to stop seeing her by endowing him with the Dukedom of York. In 1920, he was re-introduced to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, whom he had not seen since his childhood.

Immediately infatuated with her, he proposed to her twice; first in 1921 and second time 1922. But, she rejected her proposal both the times, as she was reluctant to make the sacrifices necessary to be included in the royal family. After she finally agreed to his proposal, they were married on April 26, 1923 in Westminster Abbey.

George VI and his wife Elizabeth had two daughters, Princess Elizabeth, born on April 21, 1926, and Princess Margaret, born on August 21, 1930. Princess Elizabeth later became Queen Elizabeth II and married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

Reign As King

While George VI was second in the line of ascension after his elder brother Edward at the time of his father's death on January 20, 1936, King George V wanted 'Bertie' to inherit the throne. Many close to King Edward disapproved of his womanizing and reckless behavior, and after he decided to marry twice divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson, it was clear that he would have to abdicate the throne.

After Edward's abdication on December 11, 1936, Albert reluctantly took the throne assuming the reign name 'George VI' with the hope of restoring confidence in the monarchy following the tumultuous events since his father's death. His coronation occurred at Westminster Abbey on the same day his elder bother's coronation was supposed to take place, May 12, 1937, with his mother, Queen Mary, in attendance to show her support.

With his early reign overshadowed by the impending Second World War, he took two overseas trips to France and to North America to gain strategic advantage. During his visit to Canada and the US with the Queen in May and June 1939, he gave Royal Assent to nine parliamentary bills and ratified two international treaties with the Great Seal of Canada.

During the trip to America, he stayed with the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House and at his private estate at Hyde Park, New York. On the trip, he developed a deep friendship with Roosevelt. While the tour was a major political success, helping in building the alliance for the coming war, the common people also welcomed the royal couple with great enthusiasm.

After the Second World War broke out, the King and the Queen decided to stay in London, sharing the same fate as the civilians, and were also subject to rationing restrictions. Despite narrowly escaping death during German bombings on September 13, 1939, they continued to visit bomb sites, munitions factories, and troops to provide moral support.

He was against the appointment of Winston Churchill as Prime Minister in 1940, but later developed close friendship with him, and regularly lunched together while discussing the War. During the Victory in Europe Day celebrations, he invited Churchill to appear with the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the public.

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The last Emperor of India, he became the King of India and King of Pakistan, after the two countries became independent in August 1947. He eventually ceased to be the King of India when it became a republic in 1950, but remained King of Pakistan till his death.

Death

George VI suffered from several illnesses, including arteriosclerosis and Buerger's disease, and was treated with a right lumbar sympathectomy in March 1949 for an arterial blockage in his right leg. He also developed lung cancer due to heavy smoking, and had his left lung removed in September 1951 after a malignant tumour was found.

On February 6, 1952, he was found dead in bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk. He died of coronary thrombosis, in his sleep. His coffin rested in St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham for two days before lying in state at Westminster Hall from February 11.

Facts About George VI

George VI was an avid stamp collector and had one of the most impressive collections in the world.

He was known for his love of animals, particularly his corgis, and was often seen walking them around the royal grounds.

George VI was a talented painter and enjoyed creating works of art in his spare time.

He had a great sense of humor and was known for his witty remarks and jokes among his close friends and family.

Despite his royal status, George VI was known for his humility and down-to-earth nature, often preferring simpler pleasures over grand extravagance.

George VI Biography

You wanted to know

When did George VI become King of the United Kingdom?

What major event occurred during George VI's reign?

What challenges did George VI face during his reign?

What was George VI's role during World War II?

How did George VI's reign impact the monarchy in the 20th century?