King George VI's death and Queen Elizabeth II's heartbreaking words as she became monarch
King George VI passed away on February 6, 1952
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II began on a sombre note on February 6, 1952, following the sudden death of her father, King George VI.
At just 25 years old, Princess Elizabeth became queen under tragic and historic circumstances, far from home, and unaware that her life would change forever.
King George VI’s death
King George VI had long battled ill health, including lung cancer. As his condition worsened, he asked his eldest daughter and her husband, Prince Philip, to undertake a overseas royal Commonwealth tour in his place.
On January 31, 1952, the king stood at Heathrow Airport, waving goodbye to Elizabeth, not knowing it would be their final moment together.
Just days later, the royal couple arrived in Kenya.
On the morning of February 6, news came through from Mike Parker, Prince Philip’s equerry and close friend, that the king had died peacefully in his sleep at Sandringham House in Norfolk.
Aides later recalled Philip’s expression as if “you’d dropped half the world on him”.
Philip broke the news gently to Elizabeth, with reports describing her as composed but heartbroken. The couple quietly walked through the gardens, mourning privately before duty took over.
Royal biographer Robert Lacey noted her stoic reaction. In an excerpt posted by Express, he quoted private secretary Martin Charteris, who said: “She was sitting erect, fully accepting her destiny.”
When asked what name she would reign under, she reportedly replied: “My own name, of course. Elizabeth.”
The tour immediately stopped and the couple returned to London.
Queen Elizabeth II’s heartbreaking words
On February 8, 1952, Elizabeth attended the Accession Council at St. James’s Palace, where she was officially proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II.
During the brief but historic meeting, the new queen addressed the council.
“By the sudden death of my dear father, I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty,” she began, as reported by the BBC.
“My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples.”
Philip stood beside her during the 20-minute ceremony. Following the declaration, she held her first Privy Council meeting. During the meeting, she signed the official Proclamation and took the oath to preserve the Church of Scotland.
On February 15, 1952, a funeral took place for King George VI at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.
He was initially interred in the Royal Vault before later being moved to the King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Years later, Queen Elizabeth II would join her father, mother, and sister Princess Margaret in the same chapel. Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021 at age 99, was also laid to rest there.
‘It all seems so unbelievable’
In a private letter to Sir Eric Mieville, her father’s former private secretary, Elizabeth reportedly reflected on the pain of losing her father just one month after his passing.
“It all seems so unbelievable still that my father is no longer here,” she wrote, as reported by the Daily Mail. “It is only after some time has passed one begins to realise how much he is missed.”
She added: “We have been so comforted to know that we are not alone in our sorrow. It seems so many people feel they have lost a friend as well as a king.”
Read more: Queen Elizabeth II’s cool reaction to Prince William’s ‘embarrassing’ diplomatic blunder
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