King George VI VE Day Speech 8 May 1945

On VE Day 8th May 1945, the King , Queen Elizabeth II’s father, George VI, made a memorable speech against the odds given his well documented difficulties about making public speeches.

In the King’s original reading there is a measured and slow deliberation that is detectable but makes his words even more poignant. George had not been born to be King and had risen against the odds to the heavy burden and demand of taking up the mantle, discarded by his brother. He ascended to the throne following the Abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936.