King George VI (14 Dec. 1895 - 6 Feb. 1952)
George VI was the King and Emperor of the British Empire when the war began. When war commenced, George remained in London in spite of enemy bombing raids, staying in Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. In 1940, two German bombs struck the courtyard of Buckingham Palace – prompting a statement of defiance from the Queen that she “can look the East End in the face”. This image of the Royals sharing the sufferings of regular Londoners and Britons helped to boost the morale of the country.
The King had good relations with many individuals during the war. Despite his initial reluctance to the appointment of Churchill as Prime Minister, the two men quickly developed a strong bond; some consider the greatest bond between a Prime Minister and the monarch. As well as this the King and Queen became close friends with the Roosevelts.
The Royal Family was subject to bombing, as seen, as well as to rationing. One famous event in regards to this was when the First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, commented on the rationed food and bathwater. During the war the King and Queen visited various sites across the United Kingdom to help boost morale. He also visited overseas to places such as France, North Africa, and Italy.
The King was also personally affected when the Duke of Kent, Prince George, was killed in August 1942. Prince George was the King’s younger brother, and died when his flying boat crashed amidst bad weather. He was on active service with the RAF. After the war’s end, King George addressed the United Nations at their first ever assembly in London.
For more information on King George VI:
Bradford, Sarah. King George VI (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson), 1989.
Judd, Denis. King George VI (London: Michael Joseph), 1982.
Wheeler-Bennett, Sir John. King George VI: His Life and Reign (New York: Macmillan), 1958.
The King had good relations with many individuals during the war. Despite his initial reluctance to the appointment of Churchill as Prime Minister, the two men quickly developed a strong bond; some consider the greatest bond between a Prime Minister and the monarch. As well as this the King and Queen became close friends with the Roosevelts.
The Royal Family was subject to bombing, as seen, as well as to rationing. One famous event in regards to this was when the First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, commented on the rationed food and bathwater. During the war the King and Queen visited various sites across the United Kingdom to help boost morale. He also visited overseas to places such as France, North Africa, and Italy.
The King was also personally affected when the Duke of Kent, Prince George, was killed in August 1942. Prince George was the King’s younger brother, and died when his flying boat crashed amidst bad weather. He was on active service with the RAF. After the war’s end, King George addressed the United Nations at their first ever assembly in London.
For more information on King George VI:
Bradford, Sarah. King George VI (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson), 1989.
Judd, Denis. King George VI (London: Michael Joseph), 1982.
Wheeler-Bennett, Sir John. King George VI: His Life and Reign (New York: Macmillan), 1958.