Became king when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. Like his father George V, he was born a second son and rather unexpectedly ascended to the throne. Like his grandfather, Edward VII, he was born as Prince Albert, and was known as Bertie in the family but took took a different name on taking the throne.
This Bertie adopted the title King George VI to express continuity and to restore confidence in the monarchy. Reigned: 1936-52. Father of Queen Elizabeth II. A natural left-hander who struggled with a stammer all his life and looked remarkably like the actor Colin Firth.
