We know all about the Queen’s descendants—Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry have all been in the news for decades. But just how much does anyone really know about the king that came before? Here is everything you need to know about Queen Elizabeth’s father.
Who was Queen Elizabeth’s father?
Queen Elizabeth II’s father was Albert Frederick Arthur George, more commonly known as King George VI. The former king was born in 1895, during the tail end of the reign of his great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. King George VI was known as “Bertie” to those closest to him, due to his birth name of Albert, so named for his great-grandfather Albert, Prince Consort, husband of Queen Victoria. King George VI reigned from December 1936 until his death on February 6, 1952.
What happened to Queen Elizabeth’s father?
King George VI saw a lot happen during his 16-year reign, from World War II to the relinquishing of India as a British colony. However, during the last few years of his life, the king was stricken with health issues related to his smoking. As a result, he died in 1952 due to coronary thrombosis, which is a blood clot that has formed inside a blood vessel in the heart.
How did Queen Elizabeth’s father become king?
Many times, we think of ascension to a throne happening due to the death of a previous monarch. However, that is not how King George VI ended up in charge. King George VI was not the direct heir to the throne after his father King George V died in January of 1936. His older brother, King Edward VIII was next in the line of succession and began his reign at that time. However, Edward VIII abdicated the throne not long after, in December 1936, which gave the title to the next in line, his younger brother King George V. Edward VIII resigned his post as the King of England because he wanted to marry American Wallis Simpson, in what would be his third marriage. As king, Edward was also the Head of the Church of England, which does not support divorce.
Where is Queen Elizabeth’s father buried?
Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI has long passed away. After his death in 1952, he was originally interred in the Royal Vault, where his body remained for 17 years. However, in 1969, his remains were transferred to the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St. Georges, his current resting place.
What happened when King George died?
King George VI and his wife Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon had two children, both women, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. The king unexpectedly passed away at the age of 56 in his sleep on February 6, 1952. That night, the Accession Council held a meeting to confirm the accession of then-Princess Elizabeth as the new Monarch. At the time, Elizabeth was in the foothills of Mount Kenya and had to immediately make her return to England. She then took her rightful place on the throne.
Who told Elizabeth her father died?
Because King George VI died unexpectedly, then-Princess Elizabeth was actually away in the foothills of Mount Kenya, staying at the Treetops Hotel. Her husband, Prince Philip, actually learned of her father’s passing before she did, hearing the news from a local reporter. It was then on Prince Philip to break the news of her father’s death to the future queen. She was just 25 years old at the time.
Who becomes king when Queen Elizabeth dies?
Queen Elizabeth has many descendants that are in the line of succession for the royal throne. However, her eldest son, Prince Charles, is the designated heir to the throne when the queen dies. After Prince Charles, the next person in the line of succession is his son, Prince William.
Did King George have a lung removed?
As mentioned before, King George VI was quite a heavy smoker and suffered health issues as a result, especially toward the end of his life. As a result, in September 1951, just a few months before his death, the king underwent a total pneumonectomy (surgical removal) of his left lung. This was due the presence of carcinoma, the most common type of cancer. Next, find out 10 things that will happen when Queen Elizabeth dies.
