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The Death of King George VI

How Britain marked the death of its wartime monarch and the accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1952.

On February 6th 1952, King George VI died after a long illness. Britain came to a standstill to mourn the monarch who had led the nation through World War II, and the present Queen acceded to the throne. Simon Watts brings together BBC recordings from 70 years ago. This programme was first broadcast in 2012.

PHOTO: The coffin of King George VI passing through central London (Getty Images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Feb 202200:50GMT
BBC World Service Australasia

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