King George VI is dead. He died "peacefully in his sleep" at Sandringham, his estate in Norfolk. He was 56 years old.
Four months the King underwent an operation to remove a growth on his right lung. The doctors had to remove the entire right lung. His recovery "seemed assured." On January 31, he accompanied Queen Elizabeth to London Airport to say goodbye to his elder daughter, Princess Elizabeth, and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh as they boarded a plane to East Africa, which was to have been the first stop of a tour that would also have included Australia and New Zealand.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were in Kenya when they learned of the King's death. They are now on their way back to London.
The new queen is 25-years-old and the mother of two young children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. As the new heir apparent, 3-year-old Prince Charles is now the Duke of Cornwall.
George VI was devoted to his two grandchildren who have been at Sandringham since their parents left for East Africa.
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| New York Times February 7, 1952 |
It was a servant who discovered that the king was dead. He entered the king's bedroom, bringing the king's morning tea when he discovered his lifeless body.
Dr. James Amsell, the Surgeon Apothocary, stated that the king died "in his sleep without pain."
The news tickers announced the death at 10:45 a.m., which was followed 30 minutes later by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
By noon, flags were at half-staff on all official buildings except for Marlborough House, the residence of Queen Mary, the late King's mother. Her standard remained at the top of the flagpole, "a dauntless symbol of the continuity of the British Crown and her own indomitable spirit."
The official announcement in the Court Circular stated: "The King passed peacefully away in his sleep early this morning."
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