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 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.
