Coronation of King George VI

May 12th 1937 was an important date in modern British history for more than one reason. The year before HM King George V died in his bed after a period of illness in the presence of Queen May, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York.

Moments after the death of King George V his wife bowed too and kiss the ring of her eldest son and now sovereign King Edward VIII, followed by the Duke of York and they both proclaimed "God save the King".

Before the year was out King Edward VIII was "forced" to abdicate the throne in favour of his younger brother due to his love for the American Wallace Simpson. One of the first acts of King a George VI was to ennoble his brother as His Royal Highness The Duke of Windsor.

The plans for the coronation of King Edward VIII were well underway by this time so the decision was made that the coronation of King George VI would occur on the same day - May 12th 1937.

The Coronation was the first in British history to have present an existing crowned Queen at the Coronation of a new King and Queen. HM The Dowager Queen Mary was at Westminster Cathedral to show her support for her son after a rather turbulent year for the British Monarchy.

A few things went astray during the Coronation which makes this one stand out. The Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang almost placed the crown on the kings head backwards while one assisting bishop stool on the kings train while another one converted up the Oath with his thumb while the King was reading it allowed. Furthermore the Coronation was attended by Crown Prince Michael of Romania in stead of his father King Carol II of Romania.

If the aforementioned differences were not enough this was the first Coronation to be recorded on television cameras and recorded for broadcast on the radio.

The full story about the Royal history during 1936 / 7 is well worth reading in great detail and I would direct you to a range of texts which are listed on Wiki.

This day my thoughts are with the memory of HM King George VI, who died before his time and lead our great country through the Second World War and whom I would have loved to have met, and HM Queen Elizabeth, whom I had the honour of meeting when she was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. May they rest in peace.