12th MAY 1937

On this day in 1937,  the coronation of King George VI took place at Westminster Abbey. It sparked the 16 year reign over the United Kingdom of a man who was not initially meant to be King. George was the second in line to the throne after his elder brother Edward. However, Edward abdicated in order to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson.

Albert Frederick Arthur George was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth. He was married to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who became better known as 'The Queen Mother" and who was much beloved by the British people right up until her death in March 2002 at the ripe old age of 102.

Their oldest daughter is the current Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth the II.

George died on the 6 February 1952 at Sandringham House, Norfolk. He was buried 9 days later at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Image available: http://willswift.com/king_george_vi.htm