The British Royal Family is not at all a dull and monotonous story to tell because, like ordinary people, they do have feelings and choices that they sometimes do outside of the royal protocol. But before Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became Queen, nobody knew that she would hold the highest position in British Monarchy, if not for her uncle Edward VIII abdication.
The young Queen Elizabeth was 10 years old when King George VI ascended into the throne after his elder brother abdicated it out of love. It was a great constitutional crisis when the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and its dominions has dared to step down. It is in a contest for the upcoming marriage of then King of England Edward VIII to the American socialite, Wallis Simpson, who was twice a divorcee.
The supposed marriage was unacceptable; however, it has also caused disarray in the line of throne, with the second eldest son of King George to replace Edward VIII. At that time, the young "Heir Presumptive" was unaware until her younger sister Princess Margaret made her realize what this would mean to her future.
Between King George VI and "Heir Presumptive" Princess Elizabeth Windsor, a Prince of Wales would have been king if he was ever born before the death of the reigning king. Princess Elizabeth's brother will be "Heir Apparent" and automatically be considered King instead of her. However, for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, it has always been Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
King George VI-reign lasted for 16 years from 11 December 11,1936 to February 6, 1952, despite having to succumb into speech therapy for a stammer, which he never fully overcame. He was also a reluctant king and even wrote on his diary as he talks to Queen Mary how he "sobbed like a child."
The biggest responsibility has been given to the highest position in the British Monarchy, and despite being the King of England, the work is not at all easy. That is why there were also rumors that talks happened inside the palace of bypassing then Prince Albert in favor of their younger brother Prince George, Duke of Kent. This seems to have been suggested because Prince George was at that time the only brother with a son.
Still, it was destiny that put Princess Elizabeth on her reign right now as her father accepted the challenge and still made an important mark in the kingdom. But stress and illness hindered a lot from his royal duties and his elder daughter Elizabeth, the heir presumptive, took on more royal duties as her father's health deteriorated.
On the eve of February 6, 1952, King George VI passed away due to coronary thrombosis; he was found dead in bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk by his valet who was worried he hadn't heard from the king. It was only when Prince Philip heard from a Kenyan reporter that the King has died that he has to tell the unfortunate news to his wife. The couple flew back to Britain from Kenya with her as immediately called as Queen Elizabeth II.
