George V of the United Kingdom
George Ernest Frederick Albert was born on the 3rd June 1865 at Marlborough House, London. George V was the second son of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark, sister of Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia.
At the age of 12 it was decided that George would join the Royal Navy in a quest to become mature and gain more worldly experience. George didn't gain much formal education but spent much of his time being educated in naval protocol. In 1892 George ended his service in the Royal Navy as his brother died and one day he would succeed his father as King-Emperor.
In 1893, George married Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (known as ‘May’ to her family) who had previously been engaged to his brother. They became Duke and Duchess of York and lived at York House on the Sandringham Estate, which was comfortable small home for George. The marriage was a success and George unlike his father never took a mistress. George and Mary didn't show much affection but letters show their strong love. They had 6 children Edward (Edward VIII), Albert (George VI), Mary (Princess Royal), Henry (Duke of Gloucester), George (Duke of Kent) and John. The youngest Prince John suffered from epilepsy and died aged 13 which caused Mary much anguish and heartbreak.
He became King-Emperor George V on the death of his father Edward VII in 1910, and Mary became Queen -Empress consort. They toured India in 1911 as Emperor and Empress of India and was the first monarch to receive the crown of India on Indian soil. The Delhi Durbar is referred to as the most glamorous and glorious display of Imperial power which included equestrian stunts, military parade and the receiving of homage by the Maharajahs. It was filmed and is the first footage ever to be shown in colour.
During World War I George made several visits to the front, and Mary visited wounded serviceman in hospital. She was staunch supporter of her husband during difficult times that included not only the war with Germany, but also the Russian revolution and murder of George’s cousin who was Empress Alexandra wife of Emperor Nicholas II, civil unrest including the General Strike in England, the rise of socialism, and Irish and Indian nationalism. George V has been criticised for not rescuing the Russian Royal family but at the time there was serious concern that it would incite a similar revolution in the UK. Yet he learnt from past experiences and rescued the Greek Royal Family in 1922 by sending a ship to collect them. One of those in need of rescue was a one year old boy carried in an orange crate who was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1917 with anti-German sentiment running high, George changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (popularly known as Brunswick or Hanover) to Windsor, and he relinquished all German titles and family connections. Any member of the Royal Court who didn't renounce their German title would lose their British title and be exiled.
George V enjoyed stamp collecting and although considered dull by biographers he became by his Silver Jubilee in 1935 a much loved King.
In 1932 George started the tradition of the Royal Christmas broadcast which has continued ever since and has now been broadcasted on television.
George's relationship deteriorated with this eldest son Edward (later Edward VIII) as Edward and George had different opinions and George often was angered by the attitude and actions of his son when on official duties. He also disliked Edward's multiple mistresses and he unwillingness to settle down. George approved of his second son Albert who had settled down and had two daughters: Elizabeth and Margaret. George was very stern with his children but was caught on his knees playing with a young Princess Elizabeth showing his grandfather quality.
George celebrated his Silver Jubilee on the 6th May 1935 with multiple celebrations in London. After his Silver Jubilee, George became seriously ill and at 11:55pm on the 20th January died at Sandringham House of pleurisy. His physician Lord Dawson of Penn ordered a nurse to give George a lethal dose of morphine and cocaine soto preserve George's dignity and to prevent his family further strain, but mainly so George's death could be announced in the morning edition of The Times and not the "less appropriate" evening edition.
George's death was announced on the BBC Radio Service. At George's lying-in-state procession to Westminster Hall, the Imperial State Crown fell into the gutter and this was a bad omen for Edward VIII, who abdicated that year in December. George's four sons Edward, Albert, Henry, and George mounted the guard known as the Vigil of Princes. This was not repeated until the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. George was interred at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on the 28th January 1936.
George is remembered as the quiet King who preferred stamp collecting, game shooting and dull surroundings while still understanding the importance of his role as King. George brought back many Victorian qualities to the British Monarchy and revived a lot of pride and patriotism which was lost during the war.
Titles and Styles:
"His Majesty George V, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India"
until the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927, when it changed to
"His Majesty George V, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India".
At the age of 12 it was decided that George would join the Royal Navy in a quest to become mature and gain more worldly experience. George didn't gain much formal education but spent much of his time being educated in naval protocol. In 1892 George ended his service in the Royal Navy as his brother died and one day he would succeed his father as King-Emperor.
In 1893, George married Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (known as ‘May’ to her family) who had previously been engaged to his brother. They became Duke and Duchess of York and lived at York House on the Sandringham Estate, which was comfortable small home for George. The marriage was a success and George unlike his father never took a mistress. George and Mary didn't show much affection but letters show their strong love. They had 6 children Edward (Edward VIII), Albert (George VI), Mary (Princess Royal), Henry (Duke of Gloucester), George (Duke of Kent) and John. The youngest Prince John suffered from epilepsy and died aged 13 which caused Mary much anguish and heartbreak.
He became King-Emperor George V on the death of his father Edward VII in 1910, and Mary became Queen -Empress consort. They toured India in 1911 as Emperor and Empress of India and was the first monarch to receive the crown of India on Indian soil. The Delhi Durbar is referred to as the most glamorous and glorious display of Imperial power which included equestrian stunts, military parade and the receiving of homage by the Maharajahs. It was filmed and is the first footage ever to be shown in colour.
During World War I George made several visits to the front, and Mary visited wounded serviceman in hospital. She was staunch supporter of her husband during difficult times that included not only the war with Germany, but also the Russian revolution and murder of George’s cousin who was Empress Alexandra wife of Emperor Nicholas II, civil unrest including the General Strike in England, the rise of socialism, and Irish and Indian nationalism. George V has been criticised for not rescuing the Russian Royal family but at the time there was serious concern that it would incite a similar revolution in the UK. Yet he learnt from past experiences and rescued the Greek Royal Family in 1922 by sending a ship to collect them. One of those in need of rescue was a one year old boy carried in an orange crate who was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1917 with anti-German sentiment running high, George changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (popularly known as Brunswick or Hanover) to Windsor, and he relinquished all German titles and family connections. Any member of the Royal Court who didn't renounce their German title would lose their British title and be exiled.
George V enjoyed stamp collecting and although considered dull by biographers he became by his Silver Jubilee in 1935 a much loved King.
In 1932 George started the tradition of the Royal Christmas broadcast which has continued ever since and has now been broadcasted on television.
George's relationship deteriorated with this eldest son Edward (later Edward VIII) as Edward and George had different opinions and George often was angered by the attitude and actions of his son when on official duties. He also disliked Edward's multiple mistresses and he unwillingness to settle down. George approved of his second son Albert who had settled down and had two daughters: Elizabeth and Margaret. George was very stern with his children but was caught on his knees playing with a young Princess Elizabeth showing his grandfather quality.
George celebrated his Silver Jubilee on the 6th May 1935 with multiple celebrations in London. After his Silver Jubilee, George became seriously ill and at 11:55pm on the 20th January died at Sandringham House of pleurisy. His physician Lord Dawson of Penn ordered a nurse to give George a lethal dose of morphine and cocaine soto preserve George's dignity and to prevent his family further strain, but mainly so George's death could be announced in the morning edition of The Times and not the "less appropriate" evening edition.
George's death was announced on the BBC Radio Service. At George's lying-in-state procession to Westminster Hall, the Imperial State Crown fell into the gutter and this was a bad omen for Edward VIII, who abdicated that year in December. George's four sons Edward, Albert, Henry, and George mounted the guard known as the Vigil of Princes. This was not repeated until the funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. George was interred at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on the 28th January 1936.
George is remembered as the quiet King who preferred stamp collecting, game shooting and dull surroundings while still understanding the importance of his role as King. George brought back many Victorian qualities to the British Monarchy and revived a lot of pride and patriotism which was lost during the war.
Titles and Styles:
- 3 June 1865 – 24 May 1892: His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales
- 24 May 1892 – 22 January 1901: His Royal Highness The Duke of York
- 22 January 1901 – 9 November 1901: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and York
- 9 November 1901 – 6 May 1910: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
- in Scotland: His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay
- 6 May 1910 – 20 January 1936: His Majesty The King
- and, occasionally, outside of the United Kingdom, and with regard to India: His Imperial Majesty The King-Emperor
"His Majesty George V, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India"
until the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927, when it changed to
"His Majesty George V, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India".