George V

NAME King George V

WHAT FAMOUS FOR King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1910–1936); first monarch of the House of Windsor; led Britain through World War I.

BIRTH George Frederick Ernest Albert was born on June 3, 1865, at Marlborough House, London.

FAMILY BACKGROUND George V was the second son of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and Alexandra, Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra). His paternal grandparents were Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His older brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, died from pneumonia in 1892, making George heir.

He had three surviving sisters, Louise, Victoria, Maud

CHILDHOOD George grew up between Sandringham, Buckingham Palace and Balmoral, sharing lessons, pranks and globe-trotting naval cadetship with his beloved elder brother Albert Victor, known as “Eddy”. Queen Victoria called the pair the “right-royal pickles” for their pillow-trap tricks.  Their relationship was close, but George was the more robust and less intellectual of the two. (1)

George as a young boy, 1870

EDUCATION George was tutored by Rev. John Neale Dalton until age 12, then entered HMS Britannia as a cadet (1877) along with his brother.. This experience provided him with a practical, hands-on education, fostering a lifelong love for the navy and a deep understanding of its workings. He received instruction in navigation, seamanship, and general subjects.

CAREER RECORD 1877-1892  Royal Navy officer,  rose to commander before leaving on becoming heir.

1892 He became Duke of York following his brother's death

1901 He became Prince of Wales upon his father's accession to the throne. 

1910 George ascended to the throne h

APPEARANCE George V was 5 ft 6 in, with a stocky build. He had a distinctive, neatly trimmed beard, which became a hallmark of his public image. His eyes were blue, and he had a generally serious, somewhat stern expression, though he was capable of great warmth.

Portraitists praised his “breathtaking, restrained elegance” in naval or field-marshal uniform.

Portrait by Arthur Stockdale Cope, 1933

FASHION George V's fashion was typically conservative and traditional, befitting his position as monarch. He favored dark suits for everyday wear and military uniforms for formal occasions, reflecting his strong connection to the armed forces. His attire was always meticulously tailored and presented, embodying the dignified image of the British monarch.

Though he dressed with conservative precision, George quietly influenced men’s fashion—popularizing side-creased trousers at Ascot in 1922 and wearing pristine homburg hats. 

Though outwardly traditional, he surprised many with tattoos: a dragon inked in Japan at 16, a tiger on his other arm, and a vivid hunting scene across his back featuring horses, hounds, and huntsmen. (2)

CHARACTER George V was defined by a strong sense of duty and a no-nonsense approach to kingship. He preferred the quiet routines of country life to royal ceremony and was devoted to his family and his role. 

Though not emotionally expressive, he was respected for his integrity, discipline, and pragmatism—punctual, plainspoken, and often blunt. 

Courtiers noted his habit of seasoning conversation with naval oaths, while biographers describe him as “an ordinary, conscientious man who made ordinariness majestic.” 

His diaries read like logbooks—listing pheasants shot, ships inspected, and stamps mounted—revealing action over introspection. (3)

SPEAKING VOICE George V spoke in the clipped, precise Received Pronunciation of the upper classes, with a trace of Victorian formality. His voice, as heard in early recordings, was clear and deliberate, though not especially melodic. For his first Christmas broadcast in 1932—written by Rudyard Kipling—the king famously fell through his wicker armchair moments before going on air, exclaiming, “God bless my soul!” before carrying on undeterred. That speech, 251 words long, was heard by twenty million people across the British Empire, marking the beginning of a cherished royal tradition. (2)

SENSE OF HUMOUR King George loved salty naval jokes and impish quips. When a courtier mocked “some damned fool” who paid £1,450 for a stamp, the King replied: “I was that damned fool!”. 

RELATIONSHIPS George married Princess Victoria Mary “May” of Teck on July 6. 1893 at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London. She was originally his late brother’s fiancée. 

Their marriage, initially one of convenience, blossomed into a strong and loving partnership. Mary was a supportive and intelligent consort, providing stability and counsel. Their private letters bristle with pet-names and shy affection.

They had six children, and George was a devoted father. However, his stern parenting terrified his sons, especially the future Edward VIII. Their relationship was sometimes strained due to differing views and expectations. 

George and Mary on their wedding day

He also maintained close ties with his mother, Queen Alexandra.

MONEY AND FAME As monarch, George V possessed vast symbolic power, considerable wealth, and international fame. He received £470,000 from the Civil List during his reign after surrendering Crown Estate revenues, and while he lived comfortably, he was personally frugal—known to reuse string. Despite his thrift, he spent record sums on rare stamps and funded Sandringham from his own Privy Purse. 

He understood the monarchy’s public role and used his visibility to promote national unity. Global press coverage during World War I and his Silver Jubilee cemented his status as a household name across the Empire.

FOOD AND DRINK George V favored plain, traditional British food and had little interest in gourmet dining. He enjoyed hearty, unpretentious dishes like mashed potatoes, apple dumplings, and game from his estates. A typical day included thin consommé at 11 a.m. 

While usually a moderate wine drinker, he gave up alcohol during World War I to set an example for munitions workers. 

After his 1911 tour of India, he developed a fondness for spicy chicken curry, a dish prepared by his Swiss-born chef, Gabriel Tschumi. His approach to food was practical, never indulgent. (4)

MUSIC AND ARTS George V had limited enthusiasm for formal music and the arts. While he supported national institutions out of duty, his personal tastes were practical and conservative. He enjoyed military bands, hymn-sings, and the operetta Rose-Marie, which he saw five times. 

Though not a patron in the grand sense, his reign featured major musical commissions for state occasions, including Parry’s "I Was Glad" (1911).

He had little patience for modern art—famously burning a Charles Sims portrait in disgust. 

LITERATURE George V was a steady, catholic reader for much of his life,  preferring newspapers and official documents. He had a pragmatic approach to reading, focusing on what was necessary for his duties.

He read more literature later in his life. His diaries list 159 books finished between 1933-35, from Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Lady Chatterley’s Lover. George kept well-thumbed detective novels beside his bed. (3)

NATURE George V had a deep affection for the countryside and was most at ease in the natural world. A passionate countryman, he planted oaks at Sandringham and introduced royal nature walks, taking pride in land stewardship and wildlife observation. He also had an intense enthusiasm for shooting—famously downing over 1,000 pheasants in six hours at Lord Burnham’s in 1913, later admitting, “we went a little too far.” Fishing and time outdoors provided him solace from the demands of monarchy.

PETS George V was devoted to his animals, especially dogs. He kept several throughout his life—most famously Snip and Jack, ginger Cairn terriers who succeeded his father’s beloved Caesar and slept at the foot of his bed. 

It was his parrot, Charlotte, who stole the spotlight. An African Grey he picked up in Port Said, Charlotte had free run of the palace and a talent for swearing. At 9 a.m. sharp, she joined him at breakfast, pecking at boiled eggs and sometimes leaving droppings, which the King discreetly hid under a silver mustard pot. He delighted in provoking Queen Mary by encouraging the parrot’s antics. After breakfast, Charlotte perched on his wrist as he stepped out for a smoke and scanned Mayfair through his binoculars—watching for a wave from his favorite grandchild, Princess Elizabeth. (2)

HOBBIES AND SPORTS George V’s main hobby was stamp collecting, which he pursued with great dedication, amassing one of the world’s most important collections—328 “Red Albums” and a record £1,450 purchase of the rare Mauritius Two-Pence Blue in 1904. At the time of his death, King George's stamp collection was so large that it had its own room in Buckingham Palace.

He was also an avid hunter, enjoying shooting, stalking, and fishing on his estates, while keeping detailed game-book records. 

Beyond this, he followed cricket, tennis, and royal yacht racing closely, and maintained a lifelong passion for the Royal Navy and naval affairs.

SCIENCE AND MATHS King George was a keen supporter of scientific progress, impressed by early innovations like Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone demonstration in 1878. He delighted in motor cars and wireless technology and became the first monarch to broadcast by radio in 1932, praising the “marvels of modern science.” He served as honorary patron of the British Science Association from 1926 to 1927.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY George V was a devout Anglican who took seriously his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. His faith was sincere and traditional, offering a steady moral foundation throughout his reign. A high-church Anglican, he observed daily offices and, like his mother, read a chapter of the Bible every night—a practice that later influenced Queen Elizabeth II. 

He viewed the monarchy as a God-given trust demanding discipline and responsibility, though he was not a deep theologian, preferring to uphold established doctrines.

REIGN George V ruled as King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India from 1910 to 1936, a stretch packed with war, political drama, and a royal makeover for the modern age. His time on the throne saw the upheaval of World War I, the crumbling of old empires, and the awkward birth of the British Commonwealth.

Portrait by Fildes, 1911

He stepped in after his father’s death in 1910, just as Britain grappled with a row over the House of Lords’ powers—resulting in the 1911 Parliament Act that clipped their legislative wings. During the Great War, George was the steady face everyone looked to, touring hospitals and factories, boosting morale, and in 1917, rebranding the royal family from the distinctly un-English “Saxe-Coburg and Gotha” to the decidedly more British “Windsor.”

Politically, he navigated Ireland’s messy split in 1922, watched the first Labour government take office in 1924, and presided over the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which turned the Empire’s dominions into autonomous members of the British Commonwealth. When the Great Depression hit, George backed a National Government to steady the ship, and in 1935, his Silver Jubilee was a masterclass in royal PR, reminding Britain why the monarchy still mattered.

He broke new ground with the 1932 Christmas Broadcast, using radio to speak directly to his subjects—an early example of royal outreach. His style was less stuffy and more hands-on, easing up on court formalities and becoming a more approachable monarch.

Not everything was smooth sailing—his refusal to offer asylum to Tsar Nicholas II remains controversial, and his reign involved a determined effort to purge Germanic titles from the royal family during wartime hysteria. All told, George V’s reign was a pivotal chapter in shaping the monarchy we recognize today. 

POLITICS George V was a constitutional monarch, meticulously adhering to the principle that the monarch "reigns but does not rule." He played a vital role in national life by providing stability and continuity, particularly during times of political upheaval like the 1909-1911 constitutional crisis and the 1931 economic crisis. He used his influence discreetly, advising his prime ministers and acting as a unifying figure. He was particularly adept at mediating between political factions and ensuring the smooth functioning of government.

SCANDAL King George was accused of abandoning cousin Tsar Nicholas II by withdrawing asylum in 1917; historians now debate whether George’s fears of domestic unrest dictated the fateful decision. 

MILITARY RECORD George V had a distinguished naval career before his accession to the throne. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1877 and steadily rose through the ranks. He commanded Torpedo Boat No. 79 and later the gunboat HMS Melampus. His naval experience provided him with a disciplined approach and a deep understanding of military matters, which proved invaluable during World War I.

As king he donned khaki to tour Western Front trenches, created the Military Medal, and instituted the burial of the Unknown Warrior (1920).

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS George V was generally healthy for much of his life, thanks to an active lifestyle and naval service. However, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, worsened by heavy smoking, took a toll. After surviving typhoid in 1891 and severe septic pneumonia in 1928—which required draining 16 ounces of pus—his health steadily declined. Persistent bronchitis and pleurisy eventually led to his death.

HOMES George V primarily resided at Buckingham Palace in London, the official working residence of the monarch. However, he much preferred the quieter life at:

Sandringham House in Norfolk, his private country estate, where he indulged his passion for shooting and country pursuits.

Windsor Castle in Berkshire, a historic royal residence often used for weekends and state occasions.

He spent summers aboard the royal yacht Victoria & Albert.

TRAVEL Before becoming king, George V traveled extensively as a naval officer and Prince of Wales, circumnavigating the globe as a midshipman and visiting many parts of the British Empire, including opening Australia’s first Parliament (1901). These journeys gave him a deep insight into the Empire’s vast diversity. 

As monarch, his travel was more limited—highlighted by attending the 1911 Imperial Durbar in Delhi, and post-war visits to war graves in Belgium in 1922. Due to health issues, state visits became rare later in his reign.

The King-Emperor and Queen-Empress at the Delhi Durbar, 1911

DEATH George V died on January 20, 1936, at Sandringham House, Norfolk, at the age of 70. His death was largely due to complications from his long-standing respiratory problems. It was later revealed that his physician, Lord Dawson of Penn, administered a lethal dose of cocaine and morphine to hasten his death, reportedly to ensure that the announcement would appear in the morning newspapers rather than the less prestigious evening editions.

He was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor on January 28, 1936.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA George V's reign coincided with the rise of new media. He embraced radio, initiating the annual Royal Christmas Broadcast in 1932, a tradition continued by his successors. He also appeared in newsreels and early film footage, allowing the public to see and hear their monarch in unprecedented ways. 

He has been portrayed in numerous historical dramas and documentaries, including:

The Oscar wining film The King's Speech (2010) (played by Michael Gambon), BBC’s Edward & Mrs Simpson (1978)  and Netflix’s The Crown, especially in Season 5 episode “Ipatiev House,” depicting Romanov decisions.

ACHIEVEMENTS  Modernisation of the Monarchy: Successfully steered the monarchy through a period of immense social and political change, ensuring its continued relevance and popularity.

House of Windsor: Renamed the royal house from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor in 1917, a crucial move to distance the monarchy from its German origins during World War I and consolidate British identity.

Symbol of Stability: Provided a steady and reassuring presence during the tumultuous years of World War I and the challenging interwar period, earning him the affectionate title of "Father of his People."

First Royal Christmas Broadcast: Initiated the tradition of the annual Royal Christmas Broadcast in 1932, a pioneering use of radio that connected the monarch directly with the people of the Empire.

Philatelic Collection: Amassed one of the most significant stamp collections in the world, demonstrating his meticulousness and personal dedication.

Sources (1) The Life and Times of King George V (2) Encyclopaedia of Trivia (3) The Spectator (4) So Yummy