Background In 1935, Britain occupied a quarter of the world's land at this time, known as the "Empire of the Sun" and was the world's top superpower. However, by this time Britain had already entered the constitutional monarchy and the king had no actual power. Many people don’t

Background

1935, at this time, the United Kingdom occupied a quarter of the world's land, known as the "th Empire" , and is the world's top superpower.

However, at this time, Britain had already entered the constitutional monarchy , and the king had no actual power.

Many people can’t understand the constitutional monarchy, what does this monarch do?

As early as 1688, the British people initiated the " Glorious Revolution " to overthrow the Stuart dynasty and established a constitutional monarchy, and passed the " Magna Carta " issued in 1215, the "Power Act" of 1688, and the "1701" The law of inheritance of the throne " gradually restricts the king's power, leaving the British king basically in a representative position, " rule but not governing ".

The responsibilities of the king

Then isn't the king useless? That's not

First of all, the king has no right to collect taxes, and the expenditure of the British royal family is from the central fiscal expenditure of the British government. For example, from from 1990 to 2010, the British government needed to give Queen 7.9 million yuan per year every year. The pound fee is used to cover the royal family's expenses.

To put it bluntly, the King of England was no longer the boss in 1935, and became a special worker, with a high salary. But not working for the British government, but to be precise, working for the British people. If the British people pay the royal expenses, the royal family will have many responsibilities and obligations.

In addition, the United Kingdom is a federal state. In order to maintain the federal government under its rule, the British king needs to maintain the stability and unity of Scotland, Ireland, , and the Federation of Wales. Earlier, there were Canada, India, Hong Kong, etc. In a large number of colonies, the empire will not be just a saying.

The British king has no way to modify the law, and the state must govern under the law's guidelines, but the British king has the right to deny it, and even if he has to, he can fire the Prime Minister and Parliament.

However, usually the British kings under constitutional monarchy still respect politics and do not use this power.

stuttering king

And the protagonist of our story today, George VI , is the father of the current Queen of England Elizabeth II . He has the problem of stuttering, which seems not very important, but as a king under the constitutional monarchy, it is very fatal.

George VI in "The King's Speech"

First of all, the state religion in Britain is a Protestant religion with a very local color. The king also has an identity as religious leader . He needs to preach to the believers at all times during religious gatherings. The importance of religion to European countries is self-evident.

In addition, the most important job of the British king as a symbol of the country is to travel around and give speeches to inspire the masses of all walks of life. There are also some diplomatic meetings that also require speeches. In democratic countries, speaking ability is the core weapon of politicians. .

The main reason for George VI's stuttering problem is not innate. He has no physical problems, but psychological ones.

According to popular saying, George VI's father George V is very strong and strict. He gave too high psychological pressure during George VI's growth, and at the same time, he forcibly corrected the problem of George VI's left-handedness in his childhood. , leading to George VI's stuttering.

During 1935, Europe had completed two industrial revolutions, and wireless broadcasting became an important propaganda tool. When George VI was still a prince, he gave a radio speech on behalf of his father. After the broadcast began, his lips trembled and even a little. The voice could not be heard, and the fun-lovers joked that " two-minute silent broadcast speech" .

silent broadcast speech

Down the throne

In fact, George VI didn't have to be sad about this problem, because in terms of inheritance, he is not the first heir to the throne , his brother Edward VIII is the first A heir actually inherited the throne.

George VI was blessed in disguise, he was allowed to join the Royal Navy in World War I and become a naval general. He also has greater freedom of choice in the choice of his wife, and was able to marry Elizabeth , who was later called the "Empress Dowager" by later generations.

But fate always makes people feel bad. The brother Edward VIII, who later became the Duke of Windsor, fell in love with the Mrs. Simpson, who got married twice, and has not divorced yet. He is a married lady!

At the same time, Mrs. Simpson is not only the Duke of Windsor, but also multiple other lovers. The most serious thing is that Mrs. Simpson has been intimate with senior Nazi officers.

The Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson

Edward VIII rushed towards Mrs. Simpson like a moth and refused to look back. George VI also persuaded his brother many times. It can be said that he never thought of becoming a king. He would come to him for stuttering. It is a kind of pain, and at the same time, the king's life is too busy and he is not as comfortable as a free duke.

Edward VIII was unmoved at all and insisted on marrying Mrs. Simpson. The British Prime Minister at that time told Edward VIII that from parliament to church and to all the federations, they opposed the king's marriage to Mrs. Simpson. Edward VIII resolutely decided to withdraw from the throne , married Mrs. Simpson.

This hot throne hit George VI. Under such circumstances, George VI had to take on the throne as a symbol of British honor. In order to treat my stuttering problem, I visited many doctors, but unfortunately, due to the improper treatment method, it has not been relieved.

The unyielding British

The situation waited for no one. In 1939, Germany declared war on the entire Europe. Under the unfavorable pressure of the war and the unfavorable speeches, George VI became irritable and uneasy. His wife, "The Queen Mother" Elizabeth gave him great support, constantly encouraged him and looked for a doctor for him to treat him.

With the support of his wife and the help of a therapist named Lenar Roger, George VI's stuttering gradually improved. In the same year that Germany declared war, George VI delivered an exciting speech on the radio, and said to Nazi Germany. Declare war, this is "The King's Speech".

For everything we cherish, for the order and peace of this world. We must face this challenge.

For this lofty goal, I ask my country and people abroad to keep this belief in mind.

Before the trial of time, I ask my people to remain calm and united.

This is a difficult task. We will face dark years, war will no longer stick to the battlefield of war, we will make pious promises to God and fight for our faith and justice. As long as we have firm faith and are ready to sacrifice for the future, we will eventually win with God's blessing.

"The King's Speech" excerpt

Oscar biopic video "The King's Speech"

This speech was still a bit stuttering, but it was much better than before. George VI completed this speech under his firm will and put it into practice. This belief spread throughout the UK.

Inspired by George VI, Britain flatly refused Nazi Germany to induce him to surrender the Peace Proposal and resolutely fought against Germany to the end. When Germany was angry and launched the "Sea Lion Plan" to bomb the British mainland, George VI and his wife ignored the cabinet's suggestion to "leave Britain", insisted on staying in the British mainland, and advance and retreat together with the British people.

This Battle of Britain finally won the victory with Britain's tenacious will, and eventually reversed the entire World War II form.