King George and Queen Mary:Part 1 of 4 - The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy

A four-part portrait of Elizabeth II's grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, which examines the lasting legacy of the couple who rescued the monarchy from potential disaster, and whose influence persists to this day.

Episode one focuses on King George V. George could not have been a more unlikely moderniser. Born and brought up in the Victorian age he was conservative to his fingertips. Yet in the face of unstoppable social change after the First World War he turned out to be a remarkable innovator, creating the House of Windsor, embracing democratic reform, and reinventing many of the royal traditions that we know today. When he celebrated his silver jubilee in 1935 the monarchy was more popular than ever.

But as a parent King George V was far less successful - he bullied his children and alienated his eldest son and heir, Prince Edward. As one courtier remarked at the time, 'the royal family are like ducks, they sit on their children'. By contrast, King George had a loving relationship with his granddaughter, and much of Queen Elizabeth's style and commitment to duty can be traced back to this early influence.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• George V Of The United Kingdom
• Mary Of Teck

[Sissy2525]

Thank you for uploading this series, My Digital Realm. I was following the discussion on Unofficial Royalty and was so hoping you would put it up so that others could watch too. You are the master!

[MyDigitalRealm]

@Sissy2525 My pleasure Sis !

[kendahke]

I must say, this royal couple has to be my favorite. Queen Mary was an impressive woman.

[ZodiacBubblegum]

@324wilson I agree he is far more important than history so far has judged him. Perhaps his old fashioned, regimented and conventional nature is to 'blame' for this. He was a great King and Mary one of my personal favourite Queen consorts.

[324wilson]

George V would have to be one of the most shrewd and yet most forgotten monarch in history.