George V. Portraits of His Majesty at different periods of his life. 1. Aged 3 years. 2. As a midshipman, 1880. 

 3. As naval captain, 1896. 4. As vice-admiral in full dress, 1901 5. As field-marshal, 1912. 6. In 1920 



1 & 5, Downey. 2, 3 & 6. Russell. 4, tt. Waller Burnett 



Wales, but the king's recovery and 

 subsequent coronation relieved the 

 national tension. The prince took 

 over many duties, especially those 

 relating to London functions, and 



fained facility as a speaker. In 

 905 he and the princess visited 

 India and were present at a 

 picturesque Durbar, returning 

 home by MJW 7, 1906. Two years 

 later they made an extensive tour 

 through Canada. 



Accession to the Throne 

 King Edward died after a very 

 brief illness, May 6, 1910, and the 

 prince ascended the throne as 

 George V. The strain of the next 

 few weeks, including the funeral of 

 King Edward VII an4 the recep- 

 tion of many distinguished mourn- 

 ers, was followed by a holiday at 

 Balmoral. The coronation of King 

 George and Queen Mary in West- 

 minster Abbey took place on June 

 22, 1911, when the king wore the 

 coronation robes of George IV. In 



the next three years the king and 

 queen were busily engaged in visit- 

 ing the various cities of the empire. 

 The political situation, especially 

 in Ireland, gave anxiety in the 

 early part of 1914, and the king 

 specially summoned a conference of 

 the opposing party leaders at 

 Buckingham Palace in July, in the 

 hope of finding a solution of the 

 deadlock. The outbreak of the 

 Great War in Aug. overshadowed 

 all other perplexities. 



The king went to France on 

 three or four occasions to en- 

 courage his army, and also visited 

 the grand fleet. He and the queen 

 set a practical example of economy 

 in the conduct of their homes. In 

 1917, by royal decree, the name of 

 the royal house was changed from 

 Guelph to Windsor. The king and 

 queen were indefatigable in visiting 

 the sick and wounded, and in 

 their philanthropic and other 

 efforts. The signing of the ar- 



mistice Nov. 11, 1918, led to 

 a remarkable demonstration of 

 loyalty. 



Peace and Wax 



King George has the directness 

 of a sailor in his public and private 

 speech ; his wide travels and his 

 excellent memory enable him to 

 grasp problems with alertness and 

 insight. Fond of open-air life and 

 an exceptionally good shot, he 

 would be happy in the occupations 

 of a country gentleman. The 

 years of war relegated many court 

 formalities into the background, 

 and enabled him to play the part 

 of a leader of the nation. At in- 

 numerable investitures he im- 

 pressed sailors and soldiers with 

 his knowledge of their dangers and 

 achievements, while his exertions 

 in every direction, together with 

 his close attention to affairs of 

 state, are unrivalled in the history 

 of kingship. See. Abergeldie; 

 Accolade ; Coronation. 



