Colorized footage of the moment George V lifts little princess Margaret, aged 4, over the balcony of Buckingham Palace, at the wedding of duke of Kent with princess Marina, 1934
Is it true that George forced his daughter to marry Henry Lascelles?
Nope! Princess Mary’s own account of the engagement disproves this myth. She was very excited to marry him, and when he proposed she rushed to her mother’s rooms and had her mother who was lounging in a kimono (a popular dressing gown style at the time) to IMMEDIATELY get up to go with her to ask Papa for his approval. Queen Mary would later add that she was concerned over what the staff would think of her walking around in a dressing gown, and George added that himself was a little shocked when his daughter and wife, wearing her kimono, randomly busted into his office.
Fiction meets reality: “His grandmother had been friendly with the Queen’s aunt.. his father was a RAF pilot who’d flown with Prince Philip.” - Carole Middleton talking about her husband Michael’s father Captain Peter Middleton and grandmother Olive Middleton (neé Lupton) in The Crown.
George V letter to his 'little butterfly' as he called his daughter Mary, 1905.”
“I was delighted to get your letter this morning…Your French is beautiful and your writing much improved. I am also pleased to hear that Mademoiselle is quite satisfied with you and that you are getting on well with your lessons…I am sure you could easily beat me at golf now as you have been playing so much lately.”
The King’s death is a cruel and sad blow to us all but the knowledge that thousands, even millions, are sharing our sorrow is a great comfort - For his sake one is so thankful he had those last few happy weeks in his beloved Sandringham.
Princess Mary, letter to Lord Middleton // 29 March 1952