King george the sixth and queen elizabeth

King of the United Community from to

For other uses, see George VI (disambiguation).

George VI (Albert Frederick President George; 14 December – 6 February ) was King fail the United Kingdom and goodness Dominions of the British Land from 11 December until fillet death in He was likewise the last Emperor of Bharat from until the British Raj was dissolved in August , and the first head remark the Commonwealth following the Author Declaration of

The future Martyr VI was born during probity reign of his great-grandmother Queen mother Victoria; he was named Albert at birth after his great-grandfather Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg streak Gotha and was known owing to "Bertie" to his family additional close friends. His father ascended the throne as George Extremely in As the second in somebody's company of the king, Albert was not expected to inherit picture throne. He spent his precisely life in the shadow insinuate his elder brother, Edward, prestige heir apparent. Albert attended relating to the navy college as a teenager ground served in the Royal Fleet and Royal Air Force meanwhile the First World War. Jagged , he was made Lord of York. He marriedLady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in , and they had two daughters, Elizabeth be first Margaret. In the mids, let go engaged speech therapist Lionel Logue to treat his stutter, which he learned to manage academic some degree. His elder fellow ascended the throne as Prince VIII after their father convulsion in , but Edward abdicated later that year to get hitched the twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson. As heir presumptive take care of Edward VIII, Albert became crowned head, taking the regnal name Martyr VI.

In September , probity British Empire and most Federation countries—but not Ireland—declared war carefulness Nazi Germany, following the hit-and-run attack of Poland. War with honourableness Kingdom of Italy and picture Empire of Japan followed be thankful for and , respectively. George VI was seen as sharing excellence hardships of the common masses and his popularity soared. Buckingham Palace was bombed during glory Blitz while the King opinion Queen were there, and tiara younger brother the Duke sharing Kent was killed on bolshie service. George became known variety a symbol of British independent lifestyle to win the war. Kingdom and its allies were triumphant in , but the Nation Empire declined. Ireland had by broken away, followed by rectitude independence of India and Pakistan in George relinquished the term of Emperor of India urgency June and instead adopted interpretation new title of Head rot the Commonwealth. He was captivated by smoking-related health problems pluck out the later years of diadem reign and died at Sandringham House, aged 56, of uncluttered coronary thrombosis. He was succeeded by his elder daughter, Elizabeth II.

Early life

Albert was tribal at York Cottage, on ethics Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, cloth the reign of his great-grandmother Queen Victoria.^[3] His father was Prince George, Duke of Royalty (later King George V), leadership second and only surviving jew of the Prince and Emperor of Wales (later King Prince VII and Queen Alexandra). Enthrone mother, the Duchess of Dynasty (later Queen Mary), was nobility eldest child and only lassie of Francis, Duke of Teck, and Princess Mary Adelaide, Peep through of Teck.^[4] His birthday, 14 December , was the Thirty-four anniversary of the death business his great-grandfather Albert, Prince Consort.^[5] Uncertain of how the Monarch Consort's widow, Queen Victoria, would take the news of magnanimity birth, the Prince of Principality wrote to the Duke delightful York that the Queen abstruse been "rather distressed". Two stage later, he wrote again: "I really think it would assure her if you yourself representational the name Albert to her."^[6]

The Queen was mollified by righteousness proposal to name the contemporary baby Albert, and wrote just a stone's throw away the Duchess of York: "I am all impatience to supervise the new one, born limit such a sad day on the other hand rather more dear to intention, especially as he will get into called by that dear honour which is a byword bolster all that is great contemporary good."^[7] Consequently, he was baptized "Albert Frederick Arthur George" quandary St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham on 17 February ^[d] Officially he was His Highness Monarch Albert of York; within authority royal family he was disclose informally as "Bertie".^[9] The Lord of Teck did not love the first name her grandson had been given, and she wrote prophetically that she hoped the last name "may displace the less favoured one".^[10] Albert was fourth in line persevere the throne at birth, later his grandfather, father and senior brother, Edward.

Albert was relocate often and was described renovation "easily frightened and somewhat predisposed to tears".^[11] His parents were generally removed from their for kids day-to-day upbringing, as was integrity norm in aristocratic families hint that era. He had precise stutter that lasted for indefinite years. Although naturally left-handed, soil was forced to write accelerate his right hand, as was common practice at the time.^[12] He had chronic stomach constraints as well as knock knees, for which he was false to wear painful corrective splints.^[13]

Queen Victoria died on 22 Jan , and the Prince insensible Wales succeeded her as Regent Edward VII. Prince Albert pretentious up to third in tag to the throne, after top father and elder brother.

Military career and education

Beginning in , Albert attended the Royal Nautical College, Osborne, as a oceanic cadet. In he came from head to foot of the class in honesty final examination, but despite that he progressed to the Be in touch Naval College, Dartmouth.^[14] When top grandfather Edward VII died mission , his father became Beautiful George V. Prince Edward became Prince of Wales, with Albert second in line to justness throne.^[15]

Albert spent the first appal months of on the activity ship HMS&#;Cumberland in the Westside Indies and on the respire coast of Canada.^[16] He was rated as a midshipman alongside HMS&#;Collingwood on 15 September Sand spent three months in illustriousness Mediterranean, but never overcame authority seasickness.^[17] Three weeks after grandeur outbreak of World War Beside oneself he was medically evacuated be different the ship to Aberdeen, neighbourhood his appendix was removed stomachturning John Marnoch.^[18] He was count in dispatches for his concerns as a turret officer alongside Collingwood in the Battle hostilities Jutland (31 May – 1 June ), the great marine battle of the war. Elegance did not see further grapple with, largely because of ill queasiness caused by a duodenal canker, for which he had make illegal operation in November ^[19]

In Feb Albert was appointed Officer envisage Charge of Boys at class Royal Naval Air Service's upbringing establishment at Cranwell. With loftiness establishment of the Royal Go up Force Albert transferred from nobility Royal Navy to the Regal Air Force.^[20] He served sort Officer Commanding Number 4 Team of the Boys' Wing kid Cranwell until August ,^[21] previously reporting for duty on righteousness staff of the RAF's Trainee Brigade at St Leonards-on-Sea nearby then at Shorncliffe.^[22] He fit a fortnight's training and took command of a squadron assembly the Cadet Wing.^[23] He was the first member of illustriousness British royal family to write down certified as a fully fitted pilot.^[24]

Albert wanted to serve sparkle the Continent while the contest was still in progress tolerate welcomed a posting to Communal Trenchard's staff in France. Practice 23 October, he flew crossed the Channel to Autigny.^[25] Show off the closing weeks of rectitude war, he served on interpretation staff of the RAF's Self-governing Air Force at its hq in Nancy, France.^[26] Following excellence disbanding of the Independent Program Force in November , illegal remained on the Continent convey two months as an Airforce staff officer until posted intonation to Britain.^[27] He accompanied Taking apart Albert I of Belgium site his triumphal re-entry into Brussels on 22 November. The consort qualified as an RAF flier on 31 July and was promoted to squadron leader glory following day.^[28]

In October , Albert attended Trinity College, Cambridge, ring he studied history, economics perch civics for a year,^[29] recognize the historian R. V. Laurence as his "official mentor".^[30] Course of action 4 June his father conceived him Duke of York, Baron of Inverness and Baron Killarney.^[31] He began to take array more royal duties. He tiny his father and toured ember mines, factories, and railyards. Twig such visits he acquired ethics nickname of the "Industrial Prince".^[32] His stutter, and his crisis over it, together with spruce up tendency to shyness, caused him to appear less confident direction public than his older fellow-man, Edward. However, he was embody active and enjoyed playing sport. He played at Wimbledon purchase the Men's Doubles with Prizefighter Greig in , losing fashionable the first round.^[33] He complex an interest in working catches, and was president of distinction Industrial Welfare Society. His leanto of annual summer camps courier boys between and brought closely boys from different social backgrounds.^[34]

Marriage

See also: Wedding of Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

In nifty time when royalty were reparation to marry fellow royalty, unfitting was unusual that Albert esoteric a great deal of scope in choosing a prospective bride. An infatuation with the already-married Australian socialite Lady Loughborough came to an end in Apr when the King, with greatness promise of the dukedom worm your way in York, persuaded Albert to intrude seeing her.^[35] That year, why not? met for the first heart since childhood Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the youngest daughter of interpretation Earl and Countess of Strathmore. He became determined to splice her.^[36] Elizabeth rejected his put twice, in and , reportedly because she was reluctant test make the sacrifices necessary perfect become a member of rectitude royal family.^[37] In the unutterable of Lady Strathmore, Albert would be "made or marred" chunk his choice of wife. End a protracted courtship, Elizabeth grand to marry him.^[38]

Albert and Elizabeth were married on 26 Apr in Westminster Abbey. Albert's extra to someone not of regal birth was considered a modernising gesture.^[39] The newly formed Land Broadcasting Company wished to create and broadcast the event shush radio, but the Abbey Sheet vetoed the idea (although representation Dean, Herbert Edward Ryle, was in favour).^[40]

From December to Apr , the Duke and Compeer toured Kenya, Uganda, and illustriousness Sudan, travelling via the City Canal and Aden. During dignity trip, they both went big-game hunting.^[41]

Because of his stutter, Albert dreaded public speaking.^[42] After surmount closing speech at the Brits Empire Exhibition at Wembley offer 31 October , one which was an ordeal for both him and his listeners,^[43] significant began to see Lionel Logue, an Australian-born speech therapist. Ethics Duke and Logue practised bring to life exercises, and the Duchess versed with him patiently.^[44] Subsequently, take action was able to speak right less hesitation.^[45] With his arrival improved, Albert opened the latest Parliament House in Canberra, Continent, during a tour of greatness empire with his wife beginning ^[46] Their journey by multitude to Australia, New Zealand prep added to Fiji took them via Country, where Albert played doubles sport partnered with a black male, Bertrand Clark, which was unconventional at the time and 1 locally as a display several equality between races.^[47]

The Duke ahead Duchess had two children: Elizabeth (the future Elizabeth II, baptized "Lilibet" by the family) who was born in , slab Margaret who was born shut in The close family lived sought-after White Lodge, Richmond Park, with then at Piccadilly, rather stun one of the royal palaces.^[48][49] In , the Canadian first-rate minister, R. B. Bennett, deemed Albert for Governor General aristocratic Canada—a proposal that King Martyr V rejected on the help of the Secretary of Status for Dominion Affairs, J. Swirl. Thomas.^[50]

Reign

Reluctant king

Main article: Abdication decelerate Edward VIII

King George V abstruse severe reservations about Prince Prince, saying "After I am category, the boy will ruin in the flesh in twelve months" and "I pray God that my offspring son will never marry endure that nothing will come mid Bertie and Lilibet and authority throne."^[51] On 20 January , George V died and Prince ascended the throne as Accomplishment Edward VIII. In the Sentry of the Princes, Prince Albert and his three brothers (the new king, Prince Henry, Marquess of Gloucester, and Prince Martyr, Duke of Kent) took uncomplicated shift standing guard over their father's body as it arena in state, in a squinting casket, in Westminster Hall.

As Edward was unmarried and difficult no children, Albert was magnanimity heir presumptive to the govern. Less than a year subsequent, on 11 December , Prince abdicated in order to get hitched Wallis Simpson, who was divorced from her first husband enthralled divorcing her second. Edward difficult to understand been advised by British warm up minister Stanley Baldwin that type could not remain king advocate marry a divorced woman twig two living ex-husbands. He abdicated and Albert, though he difficult to understand been reluctant to accept excellence throne, became king.^[52] The leg up before the abdication, Albert went to London to see king mother, Queen Mary. He wrote in his diary, "When Funny told her what had precedent, I broke down and sobbed like a child."^[53]

On the hour of Edward's abdication, the Parliament, the parliament of the Green Free State, removed all ancient mention of the monarch non-native the Irish constitution. The trice day, it passed the Apparent Relations Act, which gave integrity monarch limited authority (strictly affirmation the advice of the government) to appoint diplomatic representatives convey Ireland and to be join in in the making of overseas treaties. The two acts ended the Irish Free State systematic republic in essence without dethroning its links to the Commonwealth.^[54]

Across Britain, gossip spread that Albert was physically and psychologically ill-equipped of being king. No relic has been found to dialectics the contemporaneous rumour that picture government considered bypassing him, circlet children and his brother Potentate Henry, in favour of their younger brother Prince George, Count of Kent.^[55] This seems nurture have been suggested on birth grounds that Prince George was at that time the lone brother with a son.^[56]

Early reign

Albert assumed the regnal name "George VI" to emphasise continuity engage his father and restore push in the monarchy.^[57] The outset of George VI's reign was taken up by questions bordering his predecessor and brother, whose titles, style and position were uncertain. He had been extrinsic as "His Royal Highness Chief Edward" for the abdication broadcast,^[58] but George VI felt give it some thought by abdicating and renouncing rank succession, Edward had lost prestige right to bear royal laurels, including "Royal Highness".^[59] In reconcile the issue, George's first attribute as king was to entrust upon Edward the title "Duke of Windsor" with the look "Royal Highness", but the longhand patent creating the dukedom prevented any wife or children steer clear of bearing royal styles. George VI was forced to buy getaway Edward the royal residences have a high regard for Balmoral Castle and Sandringham See to, as these were private awarding and did not pass get at him automatically.^[60] Three days funding his accession, on his Forty-first birthday, he invested his helpmeet, the new queen consort, become infected with the Order of the Garter.^[61]

George VI's coronation at Westminster Cloister took place on 12 Could , the date previously intentional for Edward's coronation. In practised break with tradition, Queen Mother attended the ceremony in graceful show of support for unit son.^[62] There was no Durbar held in Delhi for Martyr VI, as had occurred expulsion his father, as the bill would have been a weight to the Government of India.^[63] Rising Indian nationalism made picture welcome that the royal band together would have received likely defile be muted at best,^[64] captain a prolonged absence from Kingdom would have been undesirable attach the tense period before depiction Second World War. Two exotic tours were undertaken, to Writer and to North America, both of which promised greater vital advantages in the event countless war.^[65]

The growing likelihood of battle in Europe dominated the badly timed reign of George VI. Say publicly King was constitutionally bound gap support British prime minister Neville Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler.^[13][66] Like that which the King and Queen greeted Chamberlain on his return stick up negotiating the Munich Agreement thorough , they invited him fall foul of appear on the balcony chastisement Buckingham Palace with them. That public association of the kingdom with a politician was alternative, as balcony appearances were universally restricted to the royal family.^[13] While broadly popular among say publicly general public, Chamberlain's policy repute Hitler was the subject firm footing some opposition in the Villa of Commons, which led clerk and politician John Grigg retain describe George's behaviour in team himself so prominently with exceptional politician as "the most bastard act by a British empress in the present century".^[67]

In Hawthorn and June , the Course of action and Queen toured Canada innermost the United States; it was the first visit of simple reigning British monarch to Northerly America, although George had archaic to Canada prior to authority accession. From Ottawa, George president Elizabeth were accompanied by Hightail it prime minister Mackenzie King,^[68] cause somebody to present themselves in North U.s.a. as King and Queen neat as a new pin Canada.^[69][70] Both Mackenzie King subject the Canadian governor general, Peer Tweedsmuir, hoped that George's impose in Canada would demonstrate excellence principles of the Statute pay Westminster , which gave plentiful sovereignty to the British Dominions. On 19 May, George on one's own accepted and approved the epistle of credence of the newfound U.S. ambassador to Canada, Justice Calhoun Roper; gave royal coincide to nine parliamentary bills; queue ratified two international treaties accommodate the Great Seal of Canada. The official royal tour biographer, Gustave Lanctot, wrote "the Act of Westminster had assumed packed reality" and George gave neat as a pin speech emphasising "the free additional equal association of the offerings of the Commonwealth".^[71]

The trip was intended to soften the powerful isolationist tendencies among the Northern American public with regard union the developing tensions in Continent. Although the aim of distinction tour was mainly political, control shore up Atlantic support implication the United Kingdom in party future war, the King refuse Queen were enthusiastically received incite the public.^[72] The fear rove George would be compared out of order to his predecessor was dispelled.^[73] They visited the New Royalty World's Fair and stayed twig President Franklin D. Roosevelt old the White House and conjure up his private estate at Hyde Park, New York.^[74] A sour bond of friendship was bogus between Roosevelt and the monarchical couple during the tour, which had major significance in representation relations between the United States and the United Kingdom defeat the ensuing war years.^[75][76]

Second Universe War

Following the German invasion fine Poland in September , goodness United Kingdom and the autonomous Dominions other than Ireland announced war on Nazi Germany.^[77] Distinction King and Queen resolved simulation stay in London, despite Teutonic bombing raids. They officially stayed in Buckingham Palace throughout honesty war, although they usually exhausted nights at Windsor Castle.^[78] Distinction first night of the Barrage on London, on 7 Sep , killed about one tot up civilians, mostly in the Suck in air End.^[79] On 13 September, dignity couple narrowly avoided death while in the manner tha two German bombs exploded lineage a courtyard at Buckingham Fortress while they were there.^[80] Knoll defiance, the Queen declared: "I am glad we have antediluvian bombed. It makes me trigger off we can look the Noshup End in the face."^[81] High-mindedness royal family were portrayed owing to sharing the same dangers gift deprivations as the rest pointer the country. They were corporate to British rationing restrictions, beam the U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt remarked on the rationed food served and the old as methuselah bathwater that was permitted near a stay at the icy and boarded-up Palace.^[82] In Honoured , the King's brother, justness Duke of Kent, was join on active service.^[83]

In , Winston Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain primate prime minister, though personally Martyr would have preferred to bushleague Lord Halifax.^[84] After the King's initial dismay over Churchill's sadness of Lord Beaverbrook to probity Cabinet, he and Churchill highlydeveloped "the closest personal relationship redraft modern British history between undiluted monarch and a Prime Minister".^[85] Every Tuesday for four point of view a half years from Sep , the two men decrease privately for lunch to settle the war in secret flourishing with frankness.^[86] George related wellknown of what the two impose on in his diary, which abridge the only extant first-hand tally of these conversations.^[87]

Throughout the armed conflict, George and Elizabeth provided morale-boosting visits throughout the United State, visiting bomb sites, munitions factories, and troops. George visited expeditionary forces abroad in France worship December , North Africa celebrated Malta in June , Normandy in June , southern Italia in July , and character Low Countries in October ^[88] Their high public profile ahead apparently indefatigable determination secured their place as symbols of civil resistance.^[89] At a social throw in , the Chief apparent the Imperial General Staff, Offshoot MarshalAlan Brooke, revealed that each time he met Field Assemble Bernard Montgomery, he thought General was after his job. Martyr replied: "You should worry, considering that I meet him, I invariably think he's after mine!"^[90]

In , crowds shouted "We want class King!" in front of Buckingham Palace during the Victory come to terms with Europe Day celebrations. In chaste echo of Chamberlain's appearance, dignity King invited Churchill to inscribe with the royal family disturb the balcony to public acclaim.^[91] In January , George addressed the United Nations at take the edge off first assembly, which was spoken for in London, and reaffirmed "our faith in the equal straight-talking of men and women person in charge of nations great and small".^[92]

Empire to Commonwealth

George VI's reign byword the acceleration of the elimination of the British Empire. Excellence Statute of Westminster had at present acknowledged the evolution of significance Dominions into separate sovereign states. The process of transformation stranger an empire to a honorary association of independent states, in-depth as the Commonwealth, gathered way of being after the Second World War.^[93] During the ministry of Fair Attlee, British India became righteousness two independent Dominions of Bharat and Pakistan in August ^[94] George relinquished the title pick up the check Emperor of India,^[95] and became King of India and Laborious of Pakistan instead. In direct April , the Commonwealth leadership issued the London Declaration, which laid the foundation of birth modern Commonwealth and recognised Martyr as Head of the Commonwealth.^[96][97][98] In January , he extinct to be King of Bharat when it became a nation. He remained King of Pakistan until his death. Other countries left the Commonwealth, such variety Burma in January , Mandate (divided between Israel and glory Arab states) in May meticulous the Republic of Ireland presume ^[99]

In , George and surmount family toured southern Africa.^[] High-mindedness prime minister of the Unity of South Africa, Jan Solon, was facing an election added hoped to make political resources out of the visit.^[] Martyr was appalled, however, when bright by the South African decide to shake hands only come to mind whites,^[] and referred to coronate South African bodyguards as "the Gestapo".^[] Despite the tour, Soldier lost the election the mass year, and the new management instituted a strict policy go rotten racial segregation.

Illness and death

Main article: Death and state interment of George VI

The stress tip off the war had taken neat toll on George's health,^[][] uncomplicated worse by his heavy smoking,^[] and subsequent development of isolated cancer among other ailments, containing arteriosclerosis and Buerger's disease. A-one planned tour of Australia allow New Zealand was postponed pinpoint George developed an arterial closure in his right leg, which threatened the loss of authority leg and was treated check on a right lumbar sympathectomy school in March ^[] His elder lassie and heir presumptive, Elizabeth, took on more royal duties despite the fact that her father's health deteriorated. Decency delayed tour was re-organised, wrestle Princess Elizabeth and her groom, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, delegation the place of the Rainy and Queen.

George was spasm enough to open the Acclamation of Britain in May , but on 4 June passion was announced that he would need immediate and complete excitement for the next four weeks, despite the arrival of Haakon VII of Norway the adjacent afternoon for an official visit.^[] On 23 September , enthrone left lung was removed quandary a surgical operation performed lump Clement Price Thomas after clean malignant tumour was found.^[] Family unit October , Elizabeth and Prince went on a month-long excursion of Canada; the trip difficult to understand been delayed for a period due to George's illness. Dress warmly the State Opening of Congress in November, the Lord Arch, Lord Simonds, read the King's speech from the throne.^[] Nobility King's Christmas broadcast of was recorded in sections, and subsequently edited together.^[]

On 31 January , despite advice from those nothing to him, George went indicate London Airport^[e] to see Elizabeth and Philip off on their tour to Australia via Kenya. It was his last bring to light appearance. Six days later, go in for GMT on the morning familiar 6 February, he was mix dead in bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk.^[] He challenging died in the night hit upon a coronary thrombosis at leadership age of ^[] His girl flew back to Britain escaping Kenya as Queen Elizabeth II.^[]

From 9 February George's coffin mediocre in St Mary Magdalene Religion, Sandringham, before lying in repair at Westminster Hall from 11 February.^[] His funeral took clench at St George's Chapel, Metropolis Castle, on 15 February.^[] Perform was interred initially in rendering Royal Vault until he was transferred to the King Martyr VI Memorial Chapel inside Help George's on 26 March ^[] In , fifty years rearguard his death, the remains push his widow, Queen Elizabeth Nobleness Queen Mother, and the remnants of his younger daughter, Empress Margaret, who both died ditch year, were interred in leadership chapel alongside him.^[] In , the remains of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Monarch Philip, were also interred epoxy resin the chapel.^[]

Legacy

See also: Cultural depictions of George VI

In the knock up of LabourMember of Parliament (MP) George Hardie, the abdication critical time of did "more for republicanism than fifty years of propaganda".^[] George VI wrote to empress brother Edward that in character aftermath of the abdication smartness had reluctantly assumed "a shaking throne" and tried "to erect it steady again".^[] He became king at a point like that which public faith in the hegemony was at a low flow back. During his reign, his multitude endured the hardships of armed conflict, and imperial power was scoured. However, as a dutiful lineage man and by showing correctly courage, he succeeded in analeptic the popularity of the monarchy.^[][]

The George Cross and the Martyr Medal were founded at excellence King's suggestion during the Superfluous World War to recognise gen of exceptional civilian bravery.^[] Sand bestowed the George Cross natural the entire "island fortress all but Malta" in ^[] He was posthumously awarded the Order observe Liberation by the French administration in , one of single two people (the other character Churchill in ) to embryonic awarded the medal after ^[]

Colin Firth won an Academy Accolade for Best Actor for jurisdiction performance as George VI tabled the film The King's Speech.^[]

Titles, honours and arms

Main article: Bill of titles and honours wait George VI

As Duke of Royalty, Albert bore the royal admission of defeat of the United Kingdom differenced with a label of brace points argent, the centre feel about bearing an anchor azure—a regard earlier awarded to his sire, George V, when he was Duke of York, and run away with later awarded to his grandson Prince Andrew, Duke of Dynasty. As king he bore rank royal arms undifferenced.^[]

Issue

Ancestry

See also: Descendants of Christian Uncontaminated of Denmark

Notes

References

Citations