George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert), King of Great Britain, Ireland, and British dominions, Emperor of India

b. 1865; d.1936

Second son of King Edward VII; born at Marlborough House, London.

In 1877 he and his brother, the Duke of Clarence, became naval cadets. He served in the navy until 1892 when, by the death of his brother, he became eventual heir to the throne. In the same year he married the Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. The Duke and Duchess visited Australia in 1901 to open the first Federal Parliament, returning to England by way of South Africa and Canada. In November 1901 the Duke was created prince of Wales. He succeeded his father on 6 May 1910 as George V. He was crowned on 22 June 1911; and at the end of that year he visited India, being the first British emperor to do so.

During the First World War he frequently visited the Western Front, and at home he and his wife gave up much of their time to visiting factories, hospitals, etc. On 17 July 1917 he proclaimed an alteration in the style of the royal house: in future to be known as 'of Windsor' - all German titles having been renounced. On 22 June 1921, at Belfast, he inaugurated the Parliament of Northern Ireland. In April 1924 he opened the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley.

In the period of social and economic turmoil which followed the First World War the popularity of the throne and personal affection for the King and Queen steadily increased, as was shown by the public anxiety displayed during the King's illness in 1928, the unprecedented enthusiasm which marked his silver jubilee in May 1935 and the universal grief which followed his death on 20 January 1936 at Sandringham. In 1932 he first broadcast a Christmas message to the nation, a practice continued by his son and granddaughter, and a characteristic of King George's desire to be in close touch with the people. He and Queen Mary had five sons - Edward (1894-1972) who succeeded him as Edward VIII; Albert (1895-1952), who became George VI; Henry (1900-1974), Duke of Gloucester; George (1902-42), Duke of Kent; and John (1905-19). There was one daughter, Mary (1897-1965), the Princess Royal, later Countess of Harewood.

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