George VI. King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

George, the son of George V and Victoria Mary of Teck, was born December 14 1895 in York Cottage, Sandringham, Norfolk.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Claude George Bowes-Lyon, Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, April 26 1923 in Westminster Abbey.

Family group at the wedding of George VI, when Duke of York,
and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Baptised Albert Frederick Arthur George, he was known to the family as Bertie. As it seemed unlikely he would occupy the throne, he received no specific training.

In 1913 Prince Albert became a midshipman in the Royal Navy and distinguished himself while doing active service in World War I at the Battle of Jutland with the Grand Fleet. By 1920 Prince Albert had been promoted to Commander RN, but due to medical problems, was forced to retire from the Royal Navy.

Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born in London but the birth was registered by her father as being at St Paul's Walden Bury, his seat in Hertfordshire. Lady Elizabeth received the title HRH the Duchess of York on her marriage.

On December 10th 1936 Prince Albert succeeded to the British throne on the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. He chose to reign as George VI, using his last Christian name. The coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on May 12th 1937, the day which had been appointed for the coronation of Edward VIII.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the King and Queen refused to leave London. They stayed there throughout the bombing and won enormous affection from the people. In 1948 The King underwent an operation for a circulatory obstruction of the arteries. A further operation was required in 1951 when cancer was discovered and part of the King's left lung removed.

George IV died peacefully in his sleep on February 5th 1952 after a days shooting at Sandringham.

On the accession of her daughter Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth became known as HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.