George VI of the United Kingdom

Reign

The beginning of George VI's reign was taken up by the questions surrounding the ex-King Edward VIII. George VI decided to create his brother, now reverted to his previous title of Prince Edward, as the Duke of Windsor. He also issued letters patent entitling Prince Edward to be styled His Royal Highness, but preventing any wife and children from being so. George VI was also forced to buy the royal homes of Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House from Prince Edward, as these were private properties and did not pass to George VI on his accession.

Related Topics:
Duke of Windsor - Balmoral Castle - Sandringham House

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The growing likelihood of war erupting in Europe would dominate the reign of King George VI. Initially the King and Queen took an appeasement stance against Hitler, supporting the policy of Neville Chamberlain. The King and Queen greeted Chamberlain on his return from negotiating the Munich Agreement in 1938, and invited him to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with them, sparking anger among anti-appeasement MPs including Winston Churchill.

Related Topics:
Europe - Appeasement - Neville Chamberlain - Munich Agreement - 1938 - Buckingham Palace - Winston Churchill

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In 1939, the King and Queen visited Canada and the United States of America, the first reigning monarchs to do so. The aim of these visits was mainly political, to shore up Atlantic support for Britain in any upcoming war. The King and Queen were warmly received by the American people and stayed at the White House with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Related Topics:
Canada - United States of America - White House - President - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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When war broke out in 1939, George VI with Queen Elizabeth resolved to stay in London and not flee to Canada, as had been suggested. The King and Queen officially stayed in Buckingham Palace throughout the war, although they often escaped to Windsor Castle to avoid bombing raids. George VI and Queen Elizabeth narrowly avoided death when a lone German bomber despatched to bomb Buckingham Palace attacked. The bomb exploded in the courtyard, shattering windows in the palace.

Related Topics:
1939 - Windsor Castle

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Throughout the war, the King and Queen provided morale-boosting visits throughout the UK, visiting bomb sites and munition factories. On VE Day, the Royal Family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the end of the war in Europe.

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