George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth for over fifteen years, reigning from December 1936 until his death in February 1952. He was the last Emperor of India and became the first Head of the Commonwealth after India's independence in 1947. As the second son of King George V, George VI was not initially expected to ascend the throne. However, he inherited it after his elder brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite. Following the abdication crisis, George VI described his position as inheriting "a rocking throne" and expressed his efforts to "make it steady again" in a letter to his brother. Despite personal challenges, including a debilitating stammer, and the immense pressures of his reign during the Second World War, George VI earned the admiration and trust of his people. His courage, determination, and commitment to his duties restored faith in the monarchy during a turbulent period. George VI’s reign ended prematurely due to deteriorating health, attributed to heavy smoking and the stress of wartime leadership. After his death in 1952, his elder daughter, Princess Elizabeth, ascended the throne as Queen Elizabeth II, ushering in a new era for the British monarchy.