27. How Bertie Became King George VI

Welcome to the One Year Anniversary of the DBE Podcast, A Cuppa Tea with the DBE. And as we are still riding the waves of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, a very special guest joins us - Susan Webb, author of the children's book, Bertie: The Best Stuttering King. 

We talk all things Jubilee, Princes Albert and Edward, Colin Firth and The King's Speech, and much more! 

To learn more about Susan or buy her book, you can find her in the following places:
Website: https://susanmwebb.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanMWebb
Instagram: @authorsusanmwebb



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The Daughters of the British Empire is a 501(c)3 nonprofit American society of women of British or Commonwealth birth or ancestry. We share and promote our heritage while supporting local charities and our senior facilities across the United States. 

We are a diverse group of women standing together in friendship and charity, joined by a common bond - the Commonwealth of Nations, learning and growing together. 

If you would like to learn more about the DBE, or are interested in becoming a member, you can find us online at www.dbenational.org.

Theme music: https://megamusicmonkey.com/free-music-royal-tea-party-song-30-second-creative-commons/ 

Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome to episode 27 of A Cuppa Tea with the DBE. 

Tomorrow is July 4th and that means it’s been one year since this podcast released its first episode. 

One year of sharing stories and hearing from special guests who have become new friends, and I do have a very special guest and new friend joining me today. 

But first, pour yourself a cup of tea, and get comfortable… 

We are still riding the waves of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee but today we’ll also be talking about the Queen’s father, King George VI. 

On December 14, 1895, 34 years to the day after the passing of Prince Albert, Prince George, Duke of York (the future king George V), and his wife, Mary of Teck, welcomed their second son into the world. Unsure of how Queen Victoria would take the news, the Duke’s father (who would become Edward VII), suggested that Prince Albert be the boy’s namesake. This mollified the Queen and the child was baptized Albert Frederick Arthur George; Bertie to his family. 

Accounts of his childhood describe him as being often ill, easily frightened, prone to tears, knock-kneed, and, worst of all, left-handed, with chronic stomach ailments and a terrible stammer. 

Queen Victoria died in 1901 and Bertie’s grandfather became King Edward VII. 

In 1909, Albert attended the Royal Naval Academy, Osborne, and the following year, his grandfather died, making his father King George V and him second in line to the throne. 

Though Albert did see battle during World War I, his service was complicated by his ongoing stomach issues, seasickness, appendicitis, and an intestinal ulcer, further perpetuating his sickly demeanor. 

After the war, in 1920, Albert met, for the first time as an adult, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and though she rejected his proposals in both 1921 and 1922, she agreed the third time and the two were married in 1923. 

Of course, as we discussed in the last episode, they had two children - Elizabeth and Margaret born in 1926 and 1930, respectively. 

In 1936, George V died leaving Edward as king, despite him being quoted as saying, “After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in 12 months,” as well as stating, “I pray God that my eldest son will never marry and nothing will come between Bertie and Lillibet and the throne.” 

Edward VIII abdicated the throne after only 325 days before there was even a coronation ceremony. 

Albert was reluctant to take the throne and rumors spread across Britain that he was physically or psychologically fit to do so. But, on May 12, 1937, the proposed day for Edward’s coronation ceremony, it was Albert who was crowned king. 

He took the regnal name of George VI and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now that the scene has been set, it’s time to meet my most delightful guest - Susan Webb, author of the children’s book, Bertie: the Best Stuttering King.