a spirit undaunted

in honor of King George VI, aka Bertie *** "… a remarkable fellow, quiet but unswerving, and filled with courage.”

[spiritundaunted]

I'll just start right here with one of my favorite pictures of Prince Albert as a young naval officer

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI, back from North Africa, meets WINSTON CHURCHILL in the officers’ mess at RAF Northolt.

Very early on the morning of June 25 [1943] the York aircraft touched down at Northolt on the completion of her return journey. She had arrived an hour ahead of schedule, much to the consternation of the Prime Minister and those others who were meeting the King on his arrival. Later in the day the War Cabinet called at Buckingham Palace to congratulate him on his safe return.

GEORGE VI by J. W. WHEELER-BENNETT (1958)

[spiritundaunted]

“Do not lose heart. Life is a great adventure, and every one of you can be a pioneer, blazing by thought and service a trail to better things.”

King George VI, in a speech on Empire Day, May 24, 1939, from Winnipeg, Canada

[george-the-good]

The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), c. 1923.

[george-the-good]

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, with Princess Elizabeth, at Dartmouth, July 23, 1939.

[ilovethemonarchy]

December 1936.

[spiritundaunted]

I love these portraits. Especially the one of Bertie.

[george-the-good]

There is a great reluctance to part with anything. On the second floor of the Palace, there are cupboards and cupboards full of clothes, dating back years.

[...] The clothes of King George VI, the Queen’s father, are still there. Various valets over the years have thought of clearing them out, but it would require permission from the Queen Mother, and no one dares suggest it.

ROYAL SECRETS by STEPHEN P. BARRY (1985)

Barry served as personal valet to Prince Charles from 1970-1982

[ifreakingloveroyals]

19 October 2017 | The first review document and the 70th Anniversary Review Document are seen during a reception following the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery during their 70th anniversary parade at Hyde Park in London, England. The KTRHA was formed by King George VI in October 1947 and are commonly known as the 'Gunners'. © Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty Images

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI meets Movietone cameraman PAUL WYAND in Arezzo, Italy, July 1944.

‘His Majesty met the various war correspondents covering his Italian visit. He walked along the line with the conducting officer, and as they reached me the King pointed and said: “I know this man.”’

PAUL WYAND - USELESS IF DELAYED (1959)

Wyand had filmed the King on multiple occasions before and during the war. He later covered the Royal Tour of South Africa in 1947 and the King’s final public appearance in January 1952.

[vox-anglosphere]

Letter from King George VI to Churchill on the eve of D-Day

[george-the-good]

Prince Albert (later King George VI) with Louis Greig, Hastings, Sussex, c. August 1918.

Photo by A.R. Coster

[quelizabethii]

Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II of England), and her family, father, King George VI, mother, Queen Elizabeth, queen Mother, and sister, Princess Margaret, toured the Sandringham Park grounds, which were being used for agricultural purposes to contribute to the war efforts, c. August 1943

[george-the-good]

KING GEORGE VI visits USS COLUMBUS, Portsmouth, November 8, 1949.

[FRONT L-R]: W. John Kenney (director of the Economic Cooperation Mission to Britain), Bruce Fraser (Lord Fraser), Lewis Douglas (U.S. Ambassador to U.K.), the King, Admiral R.L. Conolly, George Hall (Lord Hall), Admiral Algernon Willis (C in C Portsmouth) [STANDING L-R]: Captain E.R. McLean (Captain of USS Columbus), Rear-Admiral Bolger U.S.N., Rear-Admiral D.S. Cornwell U.S.N., Major-General A.M. Harper, Rear-Admiral G.R. Henderson, U.S.N., Rear-Admiral P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, Sir Harold Campbell R.N. (King’s equerry)

FOOTAGE: British Pathé [no sound]

[spiritundaunted]

H.R.H. The Duke of York (later King George VI) with the Hon. Michael Bowes Lyon at Glamis Castle in 1935.

[thesixthduke]

Royal Order

[spiritundaunted]

12th September 1933 - Duke and Duchess of York (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) landing at Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Kyleakin, 2026

[george-the-good]

Bertie’s birthday, he is 50 but does not look it.

QUEEN MARY diary excerpt - December 14, 1945, birthday of GEORGE VI

On the same day, the Countess of Southesk died, aged 52. Queen Mary relates in her diary receiving the sad news that afternoon.