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Elizabeth proclaimed Queen after death of King George VI

Broadcast Date: Feb. 6, 1952

On Feb. 6, 1952, King George VI dies suddenly after several years of ill health. Princess Elizabeth, just 25, has begun a Commonwealth tour in Kenya with Prince Philip when she hears the news.
On the radio, millions of saddened subjects hear this proclamation from St. James's Palace in London, where "the high and mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary" becomes their Queen.

Elizabeth proclaimed Queen after death of King George VI

• King George VI's death from lung cancer at age 56 caught much of the world by surprise. He had been ill the previous year but seemed to be recovering. In England, all radio and television transmissions were cancelled for 24 hours and resumed for six days of dirges and sermons.

• Princess Elizabeth was still in Kenya when she learned that she had become Queen. She immediately flew 7,400 kilometres back to London. On Feb. 8, the Accession Council took place at St. James's Palace and the Queen read her Accession Declaration.
• There was a 16-week period of Court mourning before the Commonwealth celebrated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

Elizabeth proclaimed Queen after death of King George VI

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio News Special

Broadcast Date: Feb. 6, 1952

Guest(s): Sir George Bellew

Duration: 2:40

Last updated:
June 8, 2011