George V of England

King George V reigned as the British monarch from 1910 to 1936.¹ He became king after the death of his elder brother who had been next in line for the throne.

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 3, 1865 ²
2. Assumed throne: May 6, 1910³
3. Predecessor: Edward VII
4. Successor: Edward VIII
5. Son of: King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra
6. Spouse: Mary
7. Died: January 20, 1936 ²

Reign

He oversaw Britain's involvement in World War I and changed the name of the British royal house to Windsor from Hanover because of anti-German sentiments.¹ George V also began the tradition of the monarch's Christmas radio speech.¹

Death of George V

King George V died on January 20, 1936. Although he was in cardiorespiratory failure, the actual cause of his death was a lethal overdose of morphine given by his physician, Lord Dawson of Penn. After Dawson's death, his diary revealed that the reason behind the intentional overdose was to time the death so that it could be reported immediately the following morning by a major newspaper.⁴

Quotes

"After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself within 12 months." ⁵ —discussing his son the Prince of Wales, who would become Edward VIII of England

"My father was frightened of his mother; I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me." ⁶

"Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance." ⁶

"I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon earth through the years to come than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war." ⁷

Related Mahalo Pages

Categories