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Quick Facts
- NAME: George VI
- OCCUPATION: King
- BIRTH DATE: December 14, 1895
- DEATH DATE: February 06, 1952
- EDUCATION: Royal Naval Academy at Osborne, Royal Navy Academy at Dartmouth
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
- PLACE OF DEATH: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
- AKA: Duke of Saxony
- Nickname: Bertie
- AKA: King George VI
- AKA: Prince Albert of York
- Originally: Albert Frederick Arthur George
- AKA: Albert Frederick Arthur George Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
- AKA: Duke of York
- AKA: Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George
Best Known For
George VI served as king of the United Kingdom during World War II and was an important symbolic leader. He was succeeded by Queen Elizabeth II, in 1952.
Videos see all videos
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George VI - Visiting FDR (0:42)
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George VI - Lady Elizabeth (1:20)
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George VI - King's Speech (1:21)
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George VI - Becoming King (1:32)
George VI - Visiting FDR
King George VI was the first ruling British Monarch to ever visit the United States. On his trip they had one agenda, to win the hearts of the American people.
George VI - Lady Elizabeth
Born Elizabeth Angela Martuerite Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother Elizabeth was one of the most popular debutantes of her time. And as such caught the eye of King George VI, then the Duke of York.
George VI - King's Speech
As a boy, King George VI had a rough relationship with his father, King George V. The strain on their relationship as father and son has been seen as a cause of King George VI's stammer.
George VI - Becoming King
King George VI faced many personal challenges as King of England, including his now famous stutter. But his wife, the Duchess of York was a key figure in his life that helped him overcome the challenges.
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Play NowGeorge VI. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 02:15, May 24, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937.
George VI. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937 [Accessed 24 May 2013].
"George VI." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 24 2013, 02:15 http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937.
"George VI," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937 [accessed May 24, 2013].
"George VI," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937 (accessed May 24, 2013).
George VI [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 24] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937.
George VI, http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937 (last visited May 24, 2013).
George VI. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/george-vi-9308937. Accessed May 24, 2013.
Synopsis
George VI was crowned as king of the United Kingdom in 1937. He supported Winston Churchill completely and was an important symbolic leader for the British people during World War II, even visiting armies on the battle fronts. He was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, after he died of lung cancer in 1952.
Contents
Quotes
"I believe from my heart that the cause which binds together my peoples and our gallant and faithful Allies is the cause of Christian civilization."
"The highest of distinctions is service to others."
"Let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world."
Early Life
King George VI, born Albert Frederick Arthur George Saxe-Coburg-Gotha on December 14, 1895, in Norfolk, England, was the second son of King George V and Victoria May, the Duchess of York (Mary of Teck). His youth was not easy. Though affectionate with his mother, affection was not always returned, and his father was harsh and critical. His tutors forced him to write with his right hand, though he was naturally left handed. He developed a stammer around age 8, and suffered the indignity of wearing leg braces to correct his knock knees. Often ill and easily frightened, George VI was somewhat prone to tears and tantrums—traits that he carried throughout much of his adult life.
Military Service and Education
Though formally known as "His Highness Prince Albert of York," within the family the future king was called "Bertie," and as a young man, "Albert." In 1909, he graduated from the Royal Naval Academy at Osborne, but finished at the bottom of his class in the final exam. Despite this, Albert progressed to the Royal Navy Academy at Dartmouth and then joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman. During World War I, he served on the HMS Collingwood, and saw action at the inconclusive Battle of Juteland in May 1916. In 1919, he joined the Royal Air Force and was certified as a pilot.
After the war, Prince Albert went to Trinity College (University of Cambridge) and studied history, economics and civics. He only stayed there for one year, however, and in 1920, he was made the Duke of York and began to carry out public duties for his father. At this time, he became reacquainted with Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, whom he had met as a child through their families' close relationship. Upon seeing her again as a startlingly attractive 18 year old, Albert was smitten, but shy and awkward. After twice rejecting Albert's marriage proposal, Elizabeth finally accepted, and they were married on April 26, 1923, at Westminster Abbey. They had two children: Elizabeth, born in 1926, and Margaret, born in 1930.
Prince Albert and Princess Elizabeth were able to solidify their relationship during the first several years of marriage. Recognizing that his stammer was an ordeal for her husband and his audiences, Elizabeth sought the help of Lionel Logue, an Australian speech therapist living in London. At first reluctant, Prince Albert began seeing Logue and partaking in his unorthodox exercises. His wife often accompanied him and participated in the sessions. Prince Albert and Logue cultivated a strong relationship and, gradually, his speech improved.
Abdication and a Reluctant King
Though Albert was often berated by his father, King George V had reservations about his first son, Prince Edward (Duke of Windsor), taking the throne.
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