Trivia

George VI 

Born in 1895 
Ascension in 1936
Died in 1952, aged 56 
Reigned for 15 years
Married to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Bearing 2 daughters

On the 12th December 1936, George became the second King to take the oath of ascension in that year, after his brother Edward's abdication from the throne. 

Some men are born Kings, some achieve kingship and others have it thrust upon them. At the age of 41, Albert, Frederick, Arthur, George - a shy and retiring man with a bad stutter - went to his throne with anxiety. He faced the task of restoring his country's faith in the monarchy after his brother's disgraces. 

He chose the name George in honour of his father and the values of his reign. He was not a strong man when he came to the throne but, nevertheless, was determined to serve his people well and, with the support of a loving family, he became well-loved by the British public. 

George VI reigned throughout the Second World War and was seen as a great moral boost for the British people. He became actively involved in the war and travelled about a great deal, visiting the troops even when parliament feared for his life. His family remained in Buckingham Palace, even when it was bombed, as they were determined to show that they shared the problems of the British people during the war. George had married Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon on 16th April 1923 and she, too, was very supportive of her people. She has become the well-loved and revered Queen Mother, since his death in 1952. 

On a lighter note, when Albert was still the Duke of York he entered the tournament at Wimbledon with his tennis partner Louis Greig in June 1926. They were defeated in the first round by A W Gore and Herbert Barrett (aged 58 and 52 respectively).