Author Topic: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (nee Bowes Lyon) (Read 276796 times)

TimM · « **Reply #570 on:** June 23, 2011, 04:35:08 PM »

There is a story about George VI that makes me smile.

In 1944, when the Normandy invasion was being planned Winston Churchill wanted to personally be there. He even said he would enlist as a sailor to do so. Of course, having the Prime Minister so close to the action was unthinkable, because of the risks. However, no one could talk him out of it.

George VI settled the matter. He basically said: "Okay, Winston, if you're going, I'm going." Having the King place himself in such a dangerous position was out of the question to Churchill, so he backed down.

I've always liked this story.

Robert_Hall · « **Reply #571 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:42:37 PM »

Good story, Tim. Thank you sharing it. Not heard it before.

Clemence · « **Reply #572 on:** February 21, 2012, 11:18:38 AM »

I just watched ''Bertie and Elizabeth'' and really couldn't believe that something like what happened in the play could ever trully happen: is it possible that when the King met again, at last with his brother the Duke of Widsor the latter treated him in such a way that ruined his health? Sorry if there's something relative somewhere in here but I didn't find it!

feodorovna · « **Reply #573 on:** February 21, 2012, 02:56:56 PM »

Quote from: Clemence on February 21, 2012, 11:18:38 AM

I just watched ''Bertie and Elizabeth'' and really couldn't believe that something like what happened in the play could ever trully happen: is it possible that when the King met again, at last with his brother the Duke of Widsor the latter treated him in such a way that ruined his health? Sorry if there's something relative somewhere in here but I didn't find it!

I can't help but feel that there's some artistic licence going on here and more than a little speculation. In the scene to which you refer, Bertie and David are alone so how could anyone know about a conversation which may, or as I suspect, may not have taken place. I wouldn't have put it past David to make an attempt to upstage Bertie, it might have given him a perverse sense of power, something in which he was now sadly lacking, but I think the main thrust of the conversation would have been another attempt to obtain recognition and HRH for Wallis. As to that conversation causing the ruin of Bertie's health-No, it wasn't. His health was already ruined from years of smoking, and maybe drinking, too. However, being once again in the presence of his glamorous brother probably raised his stress levels higher than had WW11. Of course, Elizabeth always blamed Bertie's early death on David, but whilst his behaviour MAY have contributed to Bertie's blocked arteries and lung cancer, I don't believe it to have been the cause.

feodorovna · « **Reply #574 on:** February 21, 2012, 02:57:56 PM »

Quote from: Clemence on February 21, 2012, 11:18:38 AM

I just watched ''Bertie and Elizabeth'' and really couldn't believe that something like what happened in the play could ever trully happen: is it possible that when the King met again, at last with his brother the Duke of Widsor the latter treated him in such a way that ruined his health? Sorry if there's something relative somewhere in here but I didn't find it!

Clemence · « **Reply #575 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:53:11 AM »

This is all so sad ... thanx for your answer!

Suzanne · « **Reply #576 on:** February 20, 2013, 04:57:48 PM »

My review of Counting One's Blessings: The Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth: The Queen Mother

An essential addition to any royal library - I love the Queen Mother's observations and writing style.

http://www.royalhistorian.com/counting-ones-blessings-the-selected-letters-of-queen-elizabeth-the-queen-mother-edited-by-william-shawcross-review/

Eric_Lowe · « **Reply #577 on:** February 20, 2013, 06:38:36 PM »

I suspect more not yet published...

Kalafrana · « **Reply #578 on:** February 21, 2013, 02:22:00 AM »

George VI's stress levels would not have been nearly so high had he not had to become king, and I've always assumed that that was what the Queen Mother was alluding to. Smoking may have been the main cause, but all that stress certainly did not help.

Ann

CountessKate · « **Reply #579 on:** February 21, 2013, 02:42:38 AM »

Quote from: Kalafrana on February 21, 2013, 02:22:00 AM

George VI's stress levels would not have been nearly so high had he not had to become king, and I've always assumed that that was what the Queen Mother was alluding to. Smoking may have been the main cause, but all that stress certainly did not help.

Ann

The UK Medical Research Council study which provided the convincing statistical proof that tobacco smoking increased the risk of lung cancer was not published until 1956, after George VI's death, and it took some time for accepted attitudes towards this activity (long promoted by the industry as actually healthy) to change. The Queen Mother may have believed that this continuing stress contributed towards her husband's lung cancer even when it became clearer it didn't (though it would hardly have helped his general well-being).

Eric_Lowe · « **Reply #580 on:** February 21, 2013, 07:57:47 AM »

Indeed. George VI inherited a changing world that he needs to adapt and especially hard when he was not prepared for it. Elizabeth was more of the take charge type and slip into her role much more easily.