GEORGE VI. ), king of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, emperor of India, second son of King George V. and Queen Mary, was born at York Cottage, Sandringham, Dec. 14, 1895. After passing through Osborne and the Royal Naval college, Dartmouth, he was gazetted midshipman in Sept. 1913. His health had broken down during a tour, earlier in that year, of the West Indies, Canada and New foundland, and for this reason he was debarred from active service during the early years of the World War ; but he served in the battle of Jutland as a sub-lieutenant, being mentioned in despatches. At the end of 1917 he was attached to the naval branch of the Royal Air Force and, in Oct. 1918, was on the Western Front, qualified as a pilot and eventually became wing commander in 1920. After the war (Oct. 1919) he entered Trinity college, Cambridge, taking an abridged course in history, eco nomics and civics.
Afterwards he continued to show a special interest in industrial questions, becoming president of the Society for Industrial Wel fare ; while his annual camp by the sea for 200 young workers and 200 public schoolboys became a regular institution. Prince Albert (as he was then known) was created K.G. on Dec. 14, 1916, duke of York in June 1920, and K.T. on April 26, 1923, on the occasion of his marriage to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne.
In 1922 and 1923 the duke represented the King at court ceremonies in Rumania, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. In 1925 he was made president of the British Empire Exhibition, Wem bley, and in June was appointed to the Privy Council. The duke and duchess visited Ulster in July 1924, and in 1924-25 toured Kenya Colony, Uganda and the Sudan.
In 1927 they visited Australia and New Zealand, the duke opening the new parliament buildings at Canberra on May 9. In July 1935 they visited the International Exhibition at Brussels, and in September the duke represented King George V. at the funeral of Queen Astrid of the Belgians. On the accession of his brother, Edward VIII. (q.v.), the duke became heir presumptive, and on Edward VIII.'s abdication on Dec. 11, 1936, he succeeded as George VI. Their majesties were crowned on May 12, The King and Queen's daughters are the Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (b. Apr. 21, 1926), heiress presumptive, and the Princess Margaret Rose (b. Aug. 21, 1930).