George V - Later Years (1919-1936)
With the return of peace it was possible for the more normal activities of court life to be resumed on the lines already familiar before the war, but in the long list of later royal functions, a few may be detailed. During 1919, mention may be made of Their Majesties' visit (March 4) to Westminster school, to witness the "tossing of the pancake" on Shrove Tuesday; the King's presentation of a cup to the New Zealand Rugby football team at Twickenham after their match against a French army team (April in); Their Majesties' presence at the thanksgiving at St. Paul's on the signing of the Peace Treaty (July 6), and at the river procession (sea services commemoration) on the Thames (Aug. 4); the King's banquets at Buckingham Palace to the Shah of Persia (Oct. 31), to the President of the French Republic (Nov. 10), and to the Prince of Wales on his return from his world tour (Dec. 1); and the King's visit to the Oxford and Cambridge Rugby football match (Dec. 9).
As time went on the King's long-standing interest in sport was indeed regularly shown by his presence at the chief popular events, whether at race meetings, football or cricket; and public appreciation of this royal interest in sport was enhanced by the way in which the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York (as the King's second son, Prince Albert, was created in 1920) were also taking an active part in it on their own account. On no such occasion was popular enthusiasm shown more emphatically than in the reception given to the King and the Duke of York at Stamford Bridge on April 23 1921, when the King presented the Football Association's cup to the Tottenham team on its victory over the Wolverhamplon Wanderers. On 21-2 June 1921, the King and Queen visited Belfast, going and returning by sea, in order that His Majesty might inaugurate the new Northern Irish Parliament under Sir James Craig's premiership.
From his midshipman days on the "Bacchante," the King: had been a keen stamp-collector, his uncle the Duke of Edinburgh having even then been hon. president of the Philatelic Society, London, and being succeeded in that position by King George (while Duke of York) in 1896. The royal collection was the most complete in existence, and in 1920 the King, in a message to the Junior Philatelic Society, assured its members of his "unabated interest in stamp-collecting."
Support for home rule for Ireland had grown in the late 19th century. This was resisted by the Unionists in the north and by the Conservative Party. The 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, and subsequent civil war, resulted in the setting up of the Irish Free State (later to become the Irish Republic) in 1922, while the six northern counties remained part of the United Kingdom. George played a conciliatory role on this, and on other occasions, such as the General Strike of 1926.
George readily accepted the first Labour government in 1924. Following the world slump of 1929, the King persuaded the Labour leader to head a National Government composed of all parties, which won the election of 1931. The Statute of Westminster of 1931 meant Dominion Parliaments could now pass laws without reference to United Kingdom laws, and abolished various reserve powers still possessed by the Crown and Parliament. This paradoxically increased the monarchy's importance, since the Dominions (no longer subordinated to one supreme Parliament at Westminster) were now linked through common allegiance to the Crown. George started the annual Christmas Broadcast by the sovereign to the Empire (more recently to the Commonwealth), the first being transmitted in 1932. In 1935, the King celebrated his Silver Jubilee, an occasion of great public rejoicing.
A heavy smoker, he suffered from chronic lung problems including emphysema and pleurisy. He took to bed with a cold on January 15, and within a few days was clearly dying. George V died 20 January 1936, aged 56 years, and his son Edward succeeded to the throne, briefly. George V died officially of bronchial problems combined with a weak heart. But the king`s doctor, Lord Dawson, wrote in memoirs disclosed November 1986 that he had hastened the King`s death with the approval of the royal family, so timed as to ensure that the first news of the monarch`s death would make the morning newspapers.
Queen Mary died on 24 March 1953 at her home. When King George V came to the Throne he was confronted almost immediately by political and constitutional problems of a gravity and complexity which has fortunately been unequalled in the history of the Monarchy in recent times. Hardly had these been surmounted, or partly surmounted, when they were overwhelmed by the fury of 804 the First World War. During these unceasing ordeals, in which the King acquitted himself so wisely and so well, he was immeasurably strengthened by the support and comfort for which he could always look to Queen Mary.
As the years went by she had to endure many personal sorrows, including the sudden death of three of her five sons. But she never allowed either personal sorrow or public anxiety to interrupt the discharge of her duties and her obligations. With a tireless energy far outstripping those many years younger, she devoted herself to carrying out functions which never exceeded her patience or lost her keen interest. Queen Mary, by her personality, her example and her bearing over so many years, had endeared herself to the whole people of these islands and throughout the vast regions of the Commonwealth and Empire. There has not, in living memory, been a figure more widely known or more universally honored. Wherever she went, she was assured of an applause which sprang from a deep-seated affection and respect.
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