King George V was the second son of Prince Edward, later King Edward VII, and the second grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
From the time of his birth Prince George was known as HRH Prince George of Wales, as his father was then The Prince of Wales. Prince George was forced to give up his naval career when his elder brother died of pneumonia, and was created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney by Queen Victoria on May 24th 1892.
When his father ascended to the throne on January 22nd 1901 at the death of Queen Victoria, Prince George became HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York.
On November 9th 1901, George was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester by his father who wished to prepare his son for his future role as king.
Birth and Parents
Prince George was born on June 3rd 1865 at Marlborough House, London, the second son of Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and his wife Alexandra, the eldest daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark. Prince George was baptised George Frederick Ernest Albert in the private chapel of Windsor Castle on July 7th 1985 by Charles Longley, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
At the time of his birth during the reign of Queen Victoria, Prince George was third in line of succession to the UK throne, behind his father, Prince Albert Edward (later King Edward VII), and his brother Prince Albert Victor.
Wedding to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck
King George V's elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, announced his engagement to his second cousin once removed, Princess Victoria Mary of Teck in November 1891. Six weeks later Prince Albert Victor died of pneumonia, leaving Prince George second in line to the throne.
A year later Prince George and Princess Victoria Mary announced their engagement. They were married on July 6th 1893 at the Chapel Royal in St. James's Palace.
Children
King George V and Queen Mary had 6 children:
- Prince Edward, born on June 23rd 1984, who became King Edward VIII
- Prince Albert, born on December 14th 1895, who became King George VI
- Princess Mary, born in April 25th 1897, who left the House of Windsor when she married Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood
- Prince Henry, born on March 31s 1900, Duke of Gloucester
- Prince George, born on December 20th 1902, Duke of Kent
- Prince John, born on July 12th 1905, who died aged 13
Coronation
King George V ascended to the throne on May 6th 1901 at the death of his father King Edward VII. His coronation was held in Westminster Abbey on June 22nd 1911, and it was celebrated by a Festival of Empire in London.
House of Windsor
King George V initially ruled as a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the House of his father Prince Albert. Due to anti-German sentiment during the First World War, King George V adopted Windsor as the Royal Family's official name. The House of Windsor formally came into being when King George V issued a royal proclamation on July 17th 1917.
Death and Burial
King George V died on January 20th 1936 at Sandringham, after many years of serious ill health, with many breathing problems made worse by his heavy smoking. King George V is buried at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
During the latter years of his reign, his first son, Prince Edward, took over a number of King George V's duties, due to his ill health..
Sources:
The Official Website of the British Monarchy
Mark Tibbits - A professional writer and educator who writes about Astrology, South Asia/China, the UK, the British Royal Family, and Religion.
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