Behind the Crowns

This blog is for those interested in royal history, particularly the personal lives of King George V and Queen Mary. In this blog i will post a rich collection of content that brings to life the human side of these historical figures which are often misunderstood.

[behindthecrowns]

I found another photo where they are very close... some people says that George V and his wife Mary were "stiff and cold" persons, but I dont think so, or at least, not when they were out of the public's eyes.

[george-the-good]

1932 Christmas card from the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth) featuring a photograph of the Duchess with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

The couple have signed the card, and the message ‘with all good wishes for 1933’ is written in the Duke’s hand.

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI attends the Royal Command Film Performance at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, London, October 30, 1950. // British Pathé

[george-the-good]

Christening of PRINCE RICHARD OF GLOUCESTER, October 20, 1944 // RCT

‘The Duchess of Gloucester had another son a few days ago [August 26] - a Caesarian operation - and there is much discussion as to what name the child shall be given. The King favours Charles, which I think would be a good idea, but the Gloucesters apparently fancy Richard.’

Alan ‘Tommy’ Lascelles - diary entry, 31 August 1944 

photograph shows L to R. (standing): the Earl of Dalkeith, the Duke of Buccleuch, the King, the Duke of Gloucester, George II of the Hellenes, the Marquess of Cambridge. (seated): Lady Margaret Alexander (who stood proxy for General Sir Harold Alexander), Princess Margaret, Lady Sybil Phipps, the Queen, the Duchess of Gloucester with baby Richard, Queen Mary, Princess Marie Louise, Princess Elizabeth. (seated in front): Prince Michael and Princess Alexandra of Kent and Prince William of Gloucester.

[foreverinthepagesofhistoryy]

Historical Fashion Challenge 2025

Day 20: 1910s (official portraits)

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[george-the-good]

The royal box at Wimbledon during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final between Americans Jack Kramer and Tom Brown, London, July 4, 1947. Photo by Douglas Miller

Front row, L-R: Princess Margaret, Lord Templewood, Queen Elizabeth, Wimbledon Chairman Sir Louis Greig and King George VI. Greig and the King (then Duke of York) competed together in the Gentlemen’s Doubles at the tournament in 1926; Lord Templewood (aka Sir Samuel Hoare) competed against the pair in a practice session.

[george-the-good]

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at St. Nicholas’ Chapel, Bishopscourt, Isle of Man, July 1945

Here, in the quiet peaceful surroundings of this time-honoured spot, the proceedings were of a more intimate character; there were few onlookers as Their Majesties, joking and laughing, sat down to be photographed just outside the Chapel.

His Lordship placed the King in Bishop Wilson’s chair (dating back to the 17th century) and remarked ‘Your Royal Mother sat there.’

‘Yes,’ said the King, indicating that he would have preferred to stand. ‘But my Royal father stood up!’

- Isle of Man Examiner (July 6, 1945)

ABOVE: King George V, Queen Mary and Princess Mary at Bishopscourt, 1920 // © RCT

[george-the-good]

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary watch a march past of National Service Volunteers at Hyde Park, London, July 2, 1939. // RCT

[george-the-good]

The Duke and Duchess of York watch a Ladies’ Doubles match at Wimbledon, June 24, 1926. // x

Mary Browne and Elizabeth Ryan (USA) defeated Suzanne Lenglen and Julie Vlasto (France)

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI and QUEEN ELIZABETH attend Oaks Day at Epsom Racecourse, June 4, 1937.

[george-the-good]

WESTMINSTER HALL, LONDON, MAY 9, 1935

King George V, with Queen Mary at his side, addresses both Houses of Parliament on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee.

Seated either side are their sons [L-R]: the Duke of Gloucester, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the Duke of Kent.

[george-the-good]

The Duke and Duchess of York with Prince Henry at Balmoral, 1923 // © RCT

[herprivateswe]

Queen Mary on the quarter deck of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH of the 5th Battle Squadron (Grand Fleet), just after the Armistice.

[darlinggeorgiedear]

King George V (ABSOLUTELY NO Copyright Infringement Intended)

[george-the-good]

I am very glad that you have gone into the matter of her religion so carefully, and that she has promised that the children shall be brought up as Protestants and that she herself may come over to the church later... I am sure the girl takes after her mother and not her father, as his behaviour here as ambassador in the early days of the war was anything but helpful.

George VI letter to Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire, 5 May 1944

This letter relates to the engagement of William Cavendish (Duke of Devonshire’s son) to Kathleen ‘Kick’ Kennedy (daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. - U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1938-40)

[george-the-good]

Members of the Royal Family in front of a Windsor memorial to King George V. The new King unveiled the outdoor memorial (the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens) and made his first public speech since his accession. // April 23, 1937

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI arranges a group photograph after the Royal Maundy Service, April 18, 1946.

Behind the Queen and the Maundy Children are [L-R]: Princess Marie Louise, Lawrence E. Tanner, the Bishop of Lichfield and Revd. W. H. Elliott.

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FOOTAGE [no sound] // British Pathé