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Edward VIII
[1936]
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George VI
[1936-1952]
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Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, was
born 14th December, 1895 at York Cottage Sandringham. He was the second son of
the Duke and Duchess of York, (later King George V and Queen Mary). He was 18 months younger than his popular, outgoing elder brother,
and so he did not expect to become King. |
York Cottage thumbnail |
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The Newfoundland 1911 Coronation set
for King George VI showed the Royal family including Prince Albert |
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At the age of 13, Prince Albert was considered to be the most
nervous candidate ever interviewed for the Royal Navy. He attended the naval colleges for
junior cadets at Osbourne and then Dartmouth from 1909 to 1912. He served on the
cadet training ship HMS Cumberland, and then as midshipman on HMS Collingwood. During World War 1,
as sub-lieutenant on the Collingwood, he took part in the Battle of Jutland and
was mentioned in despatches by Admiral Jellicoe.
For much of World War 1, Prince Albert was in hospital ships
or on shore with stomach problems. In 1918, after an operation for a duodenal ulcer, he was
attached to the new Royal Navy Air Service. The RNAS was later incorporated with
the Royal Flying Corps to create the Royal Air Force. In 1918, Prince Albert
served with the RAF in France. On return to England he qualified as an air pilot in 1919.
After the RAF, Prince Albert attended Cambridge University
for a special short course in history, economics and civics. |
George became Duke of York in 1920 - this was a title
traditionally conferred on the second son of the King.
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1923 Princess Elizabeth is born |
As Duke of York, Prince Albert visited many parts of
Europe and the British Empire as his father's representative. He also
undertook a great deal of work to promote children's and industrial welfare.
Public speeches were a nightmare for Prince Albert as he
suffered from a serious speech impediment - this was partially and gradually
improved from 1926 when he began a new speech training regime.
In 1923 he married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the 9th child of the Earl and
Countess of Strathmore, at Westminster Abbey. Their main residence was at White
Lodge in Richmond Park, and then at 145 Piccadilly.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born, on 21 April, 1926, (later Queen
Elizabeth 2) - his second daughter, Margaret Rose, was born on 21 August, 1930. |
Prince Albert / King George VI was a keen philatelist - his
albums in the Royal Collection are coloured blue.
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