"The Highest Of Distinctions Is Service To Others"
Father to our dear Queen, Elizabeth II, this man unexpectedly served our country through the Second World War. With the support of his wife and Consort, Elizabeth, George VI overcame hardships --- both physical and political --- to become the King we admire today.
Born Albert Frederick Arthur George, on 14th December, 1895, this little Prince was born at York Cottage, Sandringham. Within the family he was known as "Bertie" and to others, "Albert." Bertie was the second son of George V and Victoria May (Mary of Teck). Being raised by a nanny, like most of the upper-class children of the day, his childhood was not an easy one, as Bertie developed a stammer when he was around 8 years of age plus he suffered having to wear painful leg braces to correct knock knees.
When Queen Victoria died, Bertie was now third in line to the throne.
Bertie fell in love with Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and proposed three times before she accepted. They went on many tours for the King (George V) and had two beautiful Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, whilst living, quietly, at 145, Piccadilly, London.
Life now changed too quickly for the young family! King George V died in January, 1936, and King Edward VIII (Bertie's brother) abdicated in December of the same year. Bertie now became King George VI --- a life he never expected to live but met with real determination.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth now saw England through the Second World War. They choice to stay in London, Buckingham Palace, and shared with the people the same dangers and deprivations, including food and clothing rationing. In fact, Buckingham Palace was bombed.
When the War was over, the whole Royal family stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, with Winston Churchill, and celebrated with the people the end of the war.
The stress of the War had drained King George and made him quite ill. He developed lung cancer and arterio sclerosis and Burger's disease. His married daughter, Elizabeth, and her new husband, Prince Philip, took over many of the "Royal Duties."King George VI died of a coronary thrombosis at the young age of 56, on 6th February, 1952. His funeral was on the 15th at St.George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Prince Albert, "Bertie", became the King of England when he was not expected to and did an 'amazing' job! He was a loving and caring family man, and overcame so many hurdles to become the King to steer England through the Second World War.To me personally, he was a very human King who restored the popularity of the British Monarchy.
Bertie fell in love with Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and proposed three times before she accepted. They went on many tours for the King (George V) and had two beautiful Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, whilst living, quietly, at 145, Piccadilly, London.
Life now changed too quickly for the young family! King George V died in January, 1936, and King Edward VIII (Bertie's brother) abdicated in December of the same year. Bertie now became King George VI --- a life he never expected to live but met with real determination.
When the War was over, the whole Royal family stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, with Winston Churchill, and celebrated with the people the end of the war.
The stress of the War had drained King George and made him quite ill. He developed lung cancer and arterio sclerosis and Burger's disease. His married daughter, Elizabeth, and her new husband, Prince Philip, took over many of the "Royal Duties."
King George VI died of a coronary thrombosis at the young age of 56, on 6th February, 1952. His funeral was on the 15th at St.George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Prince Albert, "Bertie", became the King of England when he was not expected to and did an 'amazing' job! He was a loving and caring family man, and overcame so many hurdles to become the King to steer England through the Second World War.
To me personally, he was a very human King who restored the popularity of the British Monarchy.
