King George VI

Albert Frederick Arthur George, in earlier years known in his family as "Bertie", was born at York Cottage, Sandringham, on 14 December 1895, the second son of future King George V and Queen Mary. Like his father, who was the second son of his parents with little prospect of succeeding to the throne as well, he was able to pursue a naval career and, unlike his brother, served in the first World War (1914-18). In 1923, he married Lady Elizabeth, who bore him daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, during the next few years. In 1936, after his father´s death, King Edward VIII abdicated in favour of a life with Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American, and George had to replace him. He felt himself unfitted for the role, as he didn´t have any preparation or special education like his brother had had. He also had a weak health and a stutter, but with the help of his family he overcame these handicaps and made the best of it. During the second World War (1939-45) his popularity grew even more when he refused to leave London during the air-raids of German bombers, as he wanted to spend these dangerous times together with his subjects. In 1947, after India had become independent, he renounced his title as "Emperor of India". King George VI died in Sandringham on 6 February 1952.   

On the left, his signature as Albert, Duke of York; on the right his signature as "George R.I." (1941; after 1947, he signed as "George R.").