George VI of the United Kingdom

The highest of distinctions is service to others.

George VI of the United Kingdom (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor) (14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was the British monarch from 1936 to 1952. He ascended to the throne after his brother Edward VIII abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson. He served as monarch as the British Empire experienced the Great Depression, World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War. He also oversaw the beginning of decolonization, serving as the last Emperor of India and the first head of the Commonwealth of Nations. He was succeeded by his daughter Elizabeth II, and is the grandfather of the United Kingdom's current head of state Charles III.

In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution.

Quotes

• You've been pretty unlucky with the weather, Mr Piper.
  • On seeing John Piper's dark views of Windsor Castle painted during the last war. Given in Times Literary Supplement, 7 October 1994, page 25.

• In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create, at once, a new mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to this new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, which will rank next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution.
  • Announcement made on 24 September 1940, establishing the George Cross medal to reward civilian acts of the highest courage.

• We are not a family, we are a firm.
  • On the Royal family, quoted by A. B. Baxter in Destiny Called to Them (Oxford University Press, 1939)

• The highest of distinctions is service to others.
  • Taken from the British Royal Family History website, [1]

Quotes about George VI

• King George VI was always remarkably well informed, and I made a point of reading the latest telegrams before my weekly audience with him. A conscientious, constitutional monarch is a strong element of stability and continuity in our Constitution.
  • Clement Attlee, address to the Oxford University Law Society (14 June 1957), quoted in The Times (15 June 1957), p. 4

• The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave.
  • Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in a public declaration in the early years of World War II. Sourced from the British Royal Family History website.

• During his stay in London King was presented to King George VI at Buckingham Palace. His Majesty, wearing the uniform of an admiral of the fleet, received King in a sitting room where he was at work on papers. Whiskey or tea was offered, and as King had given up spirits for the duration of the war, he gladly accepted the tea, which was ready. The King reminisced agreeably about his cruises in the Royal Navy, and asked the admiral about his own with such tact that the audience, in retrospect, resembled a chat between a couple of old sailors.
  • Ernest King and Walter M. Whitehill, Fleet Admiral King: A Naval Record (1952), p. 405-406