It was once the fortnight that marked the top of King George VI’s 15-yr reign and the beginning of the second Elizabethan era. The King’s dying surprised the rustic and despatched the nation into mourning.
weeks in advance: On 31 January 1952, 25-12 months-vintage Princess Elizabeth bid farewell to her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, at Clarence House as she departed for a tour of the Commonwealth that was once planned to include visits to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The couple have been status in for the King, who were battling sickness for some time as they aimed to strengthen the connection among the Commonwealth. Little did they realize that they’d no longer meet him once more.
Those archive images take us throughout the nation’s adventure of farewell to its beloved king.
Credit: Hulton Royals Collection
Ultimate farewell: In Opposition To scientific advice King George VI – along with Princess Margaret and the Queen Mom – sees off the younger princess on her first royal excursion of the Commonwealth. The Telegraph reports that the “King seems to be smartly.”
Credit Score: Common Photographs
Greetings from England: The younger Princess – in a mauve, blue and crimson calf-period frock – greets electorate of Nairobi alongside the Duke of Edinburgh at a lawn party on the first afternoon of the Commonwealth tour.
Credit: Mirrorpix
Calm Sooner Than the Hurricane: The couple explores the grounds of the hotel, gifted to them from the folk of Kenya. The day’s highlights include seeing a herd of 30 elephants.
‘The King is Useless’: Participants of the general public, wearing mourning black, read the front pages of The Night Information and The Evening Same Old at the streets of London on the day that King George VI died.
A face that displays the country: Churchill in top hat returns from the Accession Council at St James’ Palace, summoned routinely at the dying of the monarch. The High Minister was once dropped at tears upon the scoop of the King’s passing, remarking that the brand new Queen was “only a kid”.
Credit: Getty Pictures
A nation in darkness: King’s Lynn cinema – like the ones round the country – closes to mark the dying of the King. Racecourses, theatres and sporting activities additionally shut their doorways. Soccer marks the one exception, with four FA cup-ties going in advance.
How The Telegraph advised the nation: The version published on 7 February amounted to SIXTEEN pages instead of the standard 8. It featured an unique poem by way of Alfred Noyes, In Memoriam George VI. “Even When the blade of demise used to be at his middle, he served his u . s . and he serves her nonetheless.”
Credit Score: Topfoto
Left a Princess, returns a Queen: Queen Elizabeth II lands at London (Heathrow) airport at FOUR:30pm, greeted by Churchill, Eden and Attlee, among others. The Queen was once introduced appropriate mourning garments via an aide before alighting from the aircraft.
Returning to Clarence Space: The Queen is met via silent crowds as she travels from the Mall to her residence along with her husband. The royal usual is unfurled for the primary time over Clarence Space as she approaches her home.
Credit: PA Archive
‘God retailer the Queen’: The Garter King of Fingers, Sir George Bellew reads the primary proclamation of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II at 11am at St James’ Palace. As Sir George utters the final words, the Coldstream Guards play the Nationwide Anthem, Winston Churchill was once seen making a song alongside.
Principal London gathers to listen to the proclamation of the Queen: Massive crowds amass at the Royal Alternate in the Town of London to hear the Proclamation of Accession of Queen Elizabeth II. It was once heard in four places in London: St James’ Palace, the Royal Alternate, Fleet Side Road and Trafalgar Sq..
Credit: PA Archive
Through The gates: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are saluted by a policeman as they come at the Jubilee Gate of Sandringham Space, two days after the King’s demise. After greeting her mother and sister, she and the Duke head to the room the place her father lay.
Credit Score: PA Archive
Taken to the church: George VI’s body, guarded by keepers from his estate, lies in the Church of St Mary Magdalene within the grounds of Sandringham. He was once taken from the home at dusk together with his circle of relatives following in procession.
Final journey begins: 5 days after arriving in Sandringham, Elizabeth makes her way to Wolferton Station to take the King’s body to London. Crowds acquire to watch the new Queen and her sister cross by.
Final forestall: Folks line the streets within the rain to peer the coffin in the capital. George’s frame is carried from the teach at King’s Go Station and taken on a three-mile adventure to Westminster Hall. On The coffin rests the Imperial State Crown and a wreath from the Queen Mother.
Credit: Hulton Royals Assortment
Day of mourning: The Queen, the Queen Mom and Princess Margaret, clad in veils, commute down from Sandringham. They watch the procession at King’s Go Station, sooner than finishing their journey at Buckingham Palace.
Credit: PA Archive
Packed London streets: Individuals of the general public pay their respects as the procession bearing George VI’s coffin enters New Palace Yard from Parliament Sq.. The coffin used to be carried on a gun-carriage by way of the Royal Horse Artillery.
Mendacity in state: George VI lies in Westminster Corridor. Over the following few days, 300,000 other folks might come to pay their respects, braving the February snow and a queue that sponsored as much as Vauxhall Bridge.
Credit: PA Archive
The train passes: On 15 January, a crowd traces the monitor at Ealing, West London because the funeral educate makes its approach from Paddington to Windsor. The capital paid tributes because the King undergone.
3 Queens in mourning: Wearing black veils, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary and The Queen Mom (left to proper) at the King’s funeral. The provider took place at St George’s Chapel within the walls of Windsor Castle, lasting less than part an hour.
Credit Score: Hulton Royals Assortment
Homecoming: The funeral procession arrives at Windsor Fortress. Around 1,400 people had been provide to look at George’s coffin descend into the Royal Vaults underneath St George’s Chapel.
Analysis for this story via Matt Fearn, Kara Kennedy, Andrew Quinn, Benedict Smith, Genevieve Holl-Allen
