That same year, he made the controversial decision to deny political asylum to his cousin and ally Tsar Nicholas II and his family, after the Bolshevik Revolution. In 1917, in response to deep anti-German sentiment in Britain, George V replaced his Germanic name with the name of Windsor (after the castle of the same name). On one such visit, his horse rolled over him, fracturing his pelvis and giving him pain the rest of his life.

When World War I broke out in July 1914, George V took great effort to personally support the troops, visiting the front and military hospitals many times. George V’s threat foretold future actions where he would support the middle class over the gentry.

George V threatened to create enough Liberal nobles in the House of Lords to pass the measure, and the Tories gave in. In an unprecedented move, Tories in the House of Lords rejected the budget proposed by Liberals in the House of Commons. George became king and immediately faced a constitutional crisis, known as the budget controversy of 1910. His wish would be granted when Edward abdicated the throne in 1936 and Albert was crowned George VI. By most accounts, George was a strict father with all his children, but was especially critical of his wayward son Edward, once saying he hoped his second son, Albert, would take the throne. His condition deteriorated as he aged and he died after having a seizure when he was 13. Their youngest son, Prince John, was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child and was largely kept apart from the royal family. During their marriage they had five sons: Prince Edward, Prince Albert, Prince George, Prince Henry, Prince John and a daughter, Princess Mary. In 1893, George married his German cousin (and his late brother’s fiancée), Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. He was given the title Duke of York, along with an education in British politics, and became a member of the House of Lords. George assumed the role of heir-apparent and left the Royal Navy. In 1892, Albert suddenly died of influenza. Afterward, Albert went on to Trinity College, and George remained in the Royal Navy, intending to make it his career.

At age 12, George and Albert enrolled in the naval training academy. In his early years, he was educated alongside his older brother, Albert, by tutors and nannies. Starting a career in the Navy as the second royal son, George wasn’t expected to take the throne. George Frederick Ernest Albert of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was born on June 3, 1865. Early Lifeīritain’s George V was the grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and the second son of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark. Though lackluster in personality, he won the loyalty of the middle class and many in Great Britain with his steadfast dedication to his country. He became king in 1910 and played an active role supporting the troops during World War I. Initially, he sought a career in the British Navy, but the untimely death of his brother, Albert, placed him on the throne. King George V of Great Britain was the unpromising second son of Edward VII.

Queen victoria offspring family tree