Death of King George VI

How the death of the late British monarch was captured on a series of archive films. George VI, "Bertie", was not the first in line to the throne, and did not want the role of Monarch. He preferred a quieter life with low profile public service, his nervousness of public profile reflected in his lifelong stammer, which he significantly overcame, thanks to help from speech therapists and the support of his wife Elizabeth. However, he led "us four", the family which stepped into the role of Royal Family, on the abdication of Edward VIII, and within a few years they restored and enhanced beyond expectations the image and respect for the British Royal Family, especially through their visibility as Britain came under attack in World War Two.

There is a famous line which summed them up, when the Queen was asked whether the two Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, should be evacuated to Canada as invasion seemed imminent, and the Blitz worsened. She replied "The children will not leave without their mother, their mother will not leave without the King, and the King will never leave". The pressure of the role, and its inevitable need to adapt with dignity to a new order at home and abroad after the war took its toll on the health of the shy and withdrawn man. His death followed a long illness from lung cancer but came unexpectedly. It can be seen from this footage that, whatever he was like as a monarch and an individual, the shock and the grief at his death, was genuine among his fanily and the people of Britain.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• King
• George
• VI
• death
• Britain
• monarchy
• royal
• family
• history

[yeovil50]

One of our greatest Monarchs - I have just watched the King's Speech, and made me dealth a little bit further into George VI and really makes me proud to be British . Those that do not want a monarchy anymore have no idea, how important the monarchy is to our national identity.

[islandsylph]

Edward's abdication was the best move for the Royal Family, so that George could be placed on the throne. He and his family stayed in London during the war, never leaving behind the people who were being bombed. He was one of their great monarchs and I doubt there will be another like him. Very sad that he smoked so much that he passed away too early as a result.

[zimnaya]

Unlike the people of Russia and of France, it is not the custom of the English to apply epithets or sobriquets to their sovereigns although some of the earlier Plantangenets are exceptions. If it were the custom then surely King George would be known as "the Great & Good" because that is what he truly was.

[arsovatiticus]

@HalfBornUnicornFetus A vast number of British people have no respect for the Royal family and monarchy

[arsovatiticus]

@yeovil50 This is the 21st century - the monarchy is an acronistic relic - a parasitic useless institution which is propped up by the vast retinue of supporters within the system. We should take a leaf from the French. Get rid of it along with all the system that supports inherited privilege.

[Hamilton7776]

@yeovil50 I agree with you 100 percent. We have such a republican media that we hardly ever hear the good things about the Monarchy. Did you know for instance that Prince Albert (Husband of Queen Victoria) was President of the Society for the extinction of Slavery, child work Laws and Dueling, while most politicians where Pro-slavery.

[islandsylph]

@hh2fan I agree. They had class and classical features. Americans are just used to people wearing hoards of makeup to look artificial.

[burnley5960]

@islandsylph He was a fine King and a great loss

[Whitbywatcher]

When the time comes, all British tv and radio stations will close down as a mark of respect, and quite right too - our Queen has dedicated her whole life to the service of this nation and the other nations where she is head of state, she has never put a foot wrong, never been controversial, always acted with the utmost dignity, she represents everything that is good and decent.

[silverstartrucker]

Now in 2011 the BBC would not be able to shut down in the event of the death of whoever...times have changed...

[ElijahsImpact]

@TheSirRoberto It won't happen though. I'm not hugely into the Royal family but I agree with you, but I don't think it will happen.