King George Vth

King George Vth did not expect to become King - in fact he joined the Navy when he was only 12 years old.

He had an older brother Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale who was the heir apparent but on his death George became King after the death of his Father King Edward VIIth

If anyone could be the exact opposite to his father it would have been George.

He was a staid and reliable man quite unlike his playboy Father.

Although his personal life was respectable (he married his late brothers  fiancee  Mary of Teck.).

his life was anything but dull - a world war against Germany when he relinquished his German Titles and changed the name of the Royal House from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha  to Windsor and a great deal of social and economic upheaval which changed the very character of Britain.

A Range of Gold Sovereigns was produced bearing his portrat.