a spirit undaunted

KING GEORGE VI, back from North Africa, meets WINSTON CHURCHILL in the officers’ mess at RAF Northolt.

Very early on the morning of June 25 [1943] the York aircraft touched down at Northolt on the completion of her return journey. She had arrived an hour ahead of schedule, much to the consternation of the Prime Minister and those others who were meeting the King on his arrival. Later in the day the War Cabinet called at Buckingham Palace to congratulate him on his safe return.

[...] The clothes of King George VI, the Queen’s father, are still there. Various valets over the years have thought of clearing them out, but it would require permission from the Queen Mother, and no one dares suggest it.

ROYAL SECRETS by STEPHEN P. BARRY (1985)

KING GEORGE VI meets Movietone cameraman PAUL WYAND in Arezzo, Italy, July 1944.

‘His Majesty met the various war correspondents covering his Italian visit. He walked along the line with the conducting officer, and as they reached me the King pointed and said: “I know this man.”’

PAUL WYAND - USELESS IF DELAYED (1959)

Prince Albert (later King George VI) with Louis Greig, Hastings, Sussex, c. August 1918.

KING GEORGE VI visits USS COLUMBUS, Portsmouth, November 8, 1949.

[FRONT L-R]: W. John Kenney (director of the Economic Cooperation Mission to Britain), Bruce Fraser (Lord Fraser), Lewis Douglas (U.S. Ambassador to U.K.), the King, Admiral R.L. Conolly, George Hall (Lord Hall), Admiral Algernon Willis (C in C Portsmouth) [STANDING L-R]: Captain E.R. McLean (Captain of USS Columbus), Rear-Admiral Bolger U.S.N., Rear-Admiral D.S. Cornwell U.S.N., Major-General A.M. Harper, Rear-Admiral G.R. Henderson, U.S.N., Rear-Admiral P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, Sir Harold Campbell R.N. (King’s equerry)

QUEEN MARY diary excerpt - December 14, 1945, birthday of GEORGE VI