King George VI became known as the “Reluctant King” after his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936. Remembered for ruling through the Second World War and for being the father of Queen Elizabeth II—not to mention for inspiring the Oscar-winning biopic The King’s Speech (2010)—George only reigned for 16 years, but in those years he became one of the more notable monarchs in modern British history. From his less-than-clean bill of health to the explosive perils he faced in the War, there was certainly more to George VI than his notorious stammer.
