George VI
King of the UK and last Emperor of India.
George VI was born Albert Frederick Arthur George on 14 December 1895 at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate, during the reign of his great-grandmother Queen Victoria. His father was Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V), and his mother was the Duchess of York (later Queen Mary). Because his birth fell on the anniversary of the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria was initially distressed, but she approved naming the baby after her late husband. He was baptised at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, on 17 February 1896. Within the family he was called “Bertie.” At birth he was fourth in line to the throne, behind his grandfather, father, and elder brother Edward.
As a child, Albert was often ill, easily frightened, and prone to tears. His parents kept a distance from daily child-rearing, typical for aristocratic families of the time. He had a stutter that persisted for years, was forced to write with his right hand despite being naturally left-handed, suffered chronic stomach problems, and wore painful splints for knock knees. Queen Victoria died in January 1901, and his grandfather became King Edward VII. Albert’s father then became heir to the throne. In March 1901, his parents left on a long imperial tour, leaving Albert and his siblings with their grandparents.
Albert entered the Royal Naval College, Osborne, as a cadet in 1909. He finished last in his class in the final exam in 1911 but still moved on to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. When Edward VII died in 1910, his father became King George V, and Albert’s brother Edward became Prince of Wales, making Albert second in line. In early 1913, he served on HMS Cumberland in the West Indies and off Canada’s east coast. He was made a midshipman on HMS Collingwood in September 1913, spent three months in the Mediterranean, and never got over his seasickness.
After his father’s death in 1936, his elder brother became King Edward VIII, but Edward abdicated later that year to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American. As heir presumptive, Albert became king, choosing the name George VI. He married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923; they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. In the mid-1920s, he worked with speech therapist Lionel Logue to manage his stutter.
In September 1939, Britain and most Commonwealth countries (excluding Ireland) declared war on Nazi Germany after t
- born
- 14 December 1895
- died
- 6 February 1952
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- King of the United Kingdom during World War II; last Emperor of India; first Head of the Commonwealth
Lore & Background
George VI was born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate during the reign of his great-grandmother Queen Victoria. He was named Albert after his great-grandfather Prince Albert and was known as 'Bertie' to his family. As the second son of King George V, he was not expected to inherit the throne. He attended naval college and served in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force during the First World War, including action at the Battle of Jutland. In 1920, he was made Duke of York. He married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. In the mid-1920s, he engaged speech therapist Lionel Logue to treat his stutter.
Reader's Guide
George VI's significance lies in his steady leadership during World War II and the transition of the British Empire into the Commonwealth. He shared the hardships of the common people, and his popularity soared after Buckingham Palace was bombed during the Blitz. His reign saw the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, after which he relinquished the title of Emperor of India. He became the first Head of the Commonwealth in 1949. His health declined due to smoking-related problems, and he died of a coronary thrombosis at Sandringham House, aged 56. He was succeeded by his elder daughter, Elizabeth II.
Did You Know?
- He was the first member of the British royal family to be certified as a fully qualified pilot.
- He played at Wimbledon in the Men's Doubles in 1926, losing in the first round.
- His birth date coincided with the 34th anniversary of the death of his great-grandfather Prince Albert.
- He was mentioned in dispatches for his actions as a turret officer aboard HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland.
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