39. George VI

The Kings and Queens podcast

George VI (1936-52) led Britain through one of the most consequential periods in world history. His modest and undramatic style of rule in stark contrast to the controversy and drama which surrounded the short reign of his brother was required to guide Britain through the Second World War and the death of the British Empire. He was a steady hand, who overcame his own personal limitations and won the respect of the British people.

Characters

George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Emperor of India (1936-47)

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Empress of India (1936-47)

Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1936), brother of GeorgeGeorge V - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), father of George

Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1901-10), grandfather of George

Victoria - Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901), Great-grandmother of George

Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), mother of George

Wallis Simpson - Wife of Edward VIII

Princess Elizabeth - elder daughter of George and Elizabeth

Princess Margaret - younger daughter of George and Elizabeth

Prince Philip - husband of Princess Elizabeth

Prime Ministers

Stanley Baldwin (1935-37)Neville Chamberlain (1937-40)

Winston Churchill (1940-45, 1951-55)

Clement Attlee (1945-51)

Aneurin Bevan - Labour Minister of Health, co-founder of the NHS

Duff Cooper - anti-appeasement Conservative politician

Alec Hardinge - Private Secretary of George VI

Lionel Logue - Australian speech therapist

Freda Dudley Ward - Edward VIII’s former mistress

Phyllis Monkman - George’s former love interest

Sheila Chisholm - George’s former mistress

Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury

Adolf Hitler - Fuhrer of Germany (1934-45)

Benito Mussolini - Dictator of Italy (1922-43)

Richard Grigg - Historian

Credits

Wenn die Soldaten

I was glad Hubert Parry

King Oliver s Jazz Band

The Planets - Jupiter - Gustav Holst

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