Historical Figure
George V of the United Kingdom (d. 1936)
b. 1865
King of the United Kingdom from 1910 to 1936
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Biography
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
In Their Own Words (5)
How's the Empire?
On the morning of his death; quoted in Kenneth Rose, King George V (1983), ch.10 , 1983
You dress like a cad. You act like a cad. You are a cad.
Allegedly said to his son, Prince Edward. Quoted by Christopher Warwick in Abdication (Sidgwick and Jackson, 1986) , 1986
They make me look like a stuffed monkey.
Allegedly said about two postage stamps issued in 1911. , 1911
After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months.
Statement to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, referring to his son, Edward, Prince of Wales , 1969
I said to your predecessor: 'You know what they're all saying, no more coals to Newcastle, no more Hoares to Paris.' The fellow didn't even laugh.
Said to Anthony Eden on 23 December 1935 following the furore that erupted over the Hoare-Laval Pact. , 1935
Timeline
The story of George V of the United Kingdom (d. 1936), told in moments.
Born at Marlborough House, London. Second son of the Prince of Wales. Nobody expected him to become king.
His elder brother Prince Albert Victor died of pneumonia at 28. George, a career naval officer who'd sailed the world for over a decade, was suddenly heir presumptive.
Became King-Emperor upon his father Edward VII's death. Inherited the largest empire in history and a constitutional crisis over the House of Lords.
Renamed the royal house from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor during World War I. Anti-German sentiment made a German dynasty name untenable. Kaiser Wilhelm joked about attending a performance of "The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha."
Delivered the first Royal Christmas broadcast by radio. 20 million people listened. The tradition continues to this day.
Died at Sandringham House, Norfolk, age 70. His last verified words: "How is the Empire?" His physician later admitted hastening the king's death with injections of morphine and cocaine so the news could appear in the morning papers rather than the evening tabloids.
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