List of titles and honours of George VI Facts for Kids

King George VI was a very important person in British history. He was born on December 14, 1895, and passed away on February 6, 1952. During his life, and especially when he was King of the United Kingdom, he received many special awards, titles, and military ranks. This article will tell you about some of the important honours he held.

George VI

Titles and Special Names
Military Ranks
- United Kingdom Military Ranks
- Australian Military Ranks
Awards from Other Countries
Freedom of the City Awards
- Cities in the Commonwealth
Things Named After King George VI
See also

Titles and Special Names

A special plaque at Manchester Town Hall shows the titles of King George VI.

Quick facts for kids Styles of King George VI

Reference style	His Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

From the moment he was born, George VI was a Prince of the United Kingdom. Later, he was given the special title of a royal duke. He became King after his brother, King Edward VIII, stepped down from the throne.

Here are some of the titles he held during his life:

14 December 1895 – 28 May 1898: His Highness Prince Albert of York
28 May 1898 – 22 January 1901: His Royal Highness Prince Albert of York
22 January 1901 – 9 November 1901: His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Cornwall and York
9 November 1901 – 6 May 1910: His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Wales
6 May 1910 – 3 June 1920: His Royal Highness The Prince Albert
3 June 1920 – 11 December 1936: His Royal Highness The Duke of York
- He also held smaller titles like Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney.
11 December 1936 – 6 February 1952: His Majesty The King

Titles as King

As the King, George VI held certain important titles that came with the Crown.

Lord of Mann

From 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952, he was known as His Majesty The King, Lord of Mann. This title is for the ruler of the Isle of Man.

Head of the Church of England

From 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952, he was the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This means he was the official head of the Church in England.

Other traditional titles for the King include Duke of Lancaster. This title shows that the Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate belonging to the King. He was also called Duke of Normandy because he was the head of state for the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey.

Personal Titles

George VI also held some titles just for himself, either because he was born with them or they were given to him.

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

From 14 December 1895 to 17 July 1917, he was a Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony. This was a German royal family title.

Head of the Commonwealth

From late April 1949 to 6 February 1952, he was the Head of the Commonwealth. This is a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire.

King in Other Countries

The Dominions were countries that governed themselves but still had the British King as their head of state. These countries used the same titles for the King as the United Kingdom. For example, the King was called "King of the British Dominions beyond the Seas." This showed he ruled over these self-governing nations.

After 1947, India became independent. King George VI stopped being the "Emperor of India" in 1948. However, he continued to be King of the newly formed countries of India and Pakistan for a short time.

Military Ranks

King George VI held many important military ranks in the United Kingdom and other countries. He started his military career in the Royal Navy.

United Kingdom Military Ranks

15 May 1916 – 1918: Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Navy (a junior officer in the navy)
29 December 1918 – 1919: Temporary Captain and Staff Officer (3rd Class, Air), Royal Air Force (an officer in the air force)
3 June 1919: Personal Aide-de-Camp to the King (a special assistant to the King)
1 August – 1 November 1919: Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force
1 November 1919 – 1 June 1920: Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force
31 December 1920 – 1925: Commander, Royal Navy (a senior officer in the navy)
1 June 1920 – 30 June 1921: Wing Commander, Royal Air Force
30 June 1921 – 3 June 1932: Group Captain, Royal Air Force
3 June 1932 – 1 January 1936: Rear-Admiral, Royal Navy (a high-ranking navy officer)
3 June 1932 – 1 January 1936: Major-General, British Army (a high-ranking army officer)
3 June 1932 – 1 January 1936: Air Vice-Marshal, Royal Air Force (a high-ranking air force officer)
11 December 1936 – 6 February 1952: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy (the highest rank in the navy)
11 December 1936 – 6 February 1952: Marshal of the Royal Air Force (the highest rank in the air force)
11 December 1936 – 6 February 1952: Field Marshal, British Army (the highest rank in the army)

Australian Military Ranks

2 June 1938 – 6 February 1952: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Australian Navy
2 June 1938 – 6 February 1952: Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force
2 June 1938 – 6 February 1952: Field Marshal, Australian Army

Awards from Other Countries

King George VI also received many special awards and honours from other countries around the world. These awards are often given to important leaders to show friendship and respect.

Country	Date	Award	Short Name
Russia	5 June 1917 – 14 September 1917	Knight 4th Class with Swords of the Imperial Order of Saint Prince Vladimir
Italy	11 August 1917 – 2 June 1946	Knight of the Military Order of Savoy
Yugoslavia	1918 – 2 December 1945	Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the White Eagle
France	1919 – 6 February 1952	Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour
Denmark	30 November 1920 – 6 February 1952	Knight of the Order of the Elephant	RE
Romania	18 October 1922 – 10 September 1944	Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Carol I
Norway	26 April 1923 – 6 February 1952	Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav	StkStOO m kjede
Sweden	10 May 1937 – 6 February 1952	Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim	RSerafO
Thailand	2 February 1938 – 6 February 1952	Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri	MCK
Portugal	2 May 1939 – 6 February 1952	Grand Cross of the Riband of the Three Military Orders	BTO
Yugoslavia	19 July 1939 – 2 December 1945	Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Karađorđe
Netherlands	1 July 1946 – 6 February 1952	Grand Cross of the Military William Order	MWO
Monaco	13 November 1947 – 6 February 1952	Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles
Denmark	8 May 1951 – 6 February 1952	Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog	SKmd
France	2 April 1960 (after his death)	Member of the Ordre de la Libération

Freedom of the City Awards

The "Freedom of the City" is a special honour given by a city to a respected person. It means they are welcomed and honoured by the city. King George VI received this honour from several cities.

Cities in the Commonwealth

28 October 1919: London.
1924: Derry.
26 October 1926: Glasgow.
29 August 1928: Stirling.
1929: Ilford.
10 August 1935: Perth.

Things Named After King George VI

Many places, roads, and buildings are named after King George VI to remember him.

These include:

King George Hospital in London.
King George VI Reservoir in Surrey, United Kingdom (a large water storage area).
King George Highway and King George Boulevard in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (roads).
Kingsway in Edmonton, Canada (a road).
George VI Sound in Antarctica (a body of water).
The King George VI Chase, a famous horse race in the United Kingdom.

A future Dreadnought-class submarine for the Royal Navy will also be named HMS King George VI.

List of titles and honours of George VI facts for kids

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