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HRH King George V (1865-1936)
Image: Medal - First Parliament,1901 AD
Source: Museum Victoria
George V was the second eldest son of Edward VII and Alexandra. Born in 1865, he first visited Australia with his elder brother Prince Albert as midshipmen aboard the HMS Bacchante in 1880. George seemed destined for a professional career in the Navy, but the heir apparent, Prince Albert, died in 1892 after contracting pneumonia. Prince George therefore became heir apparent (and hence Prince of Wales) and went on to marry his brother's former fiancee, who later became Queen Mary. He and his wife held the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York visited Australia in May 1901 to open the first Commonwealth Parliament. Their tour was one of the most lavish undertaken by the monarchy. An Orient steamship liner was chartered for the voyage as no royal yacht could span the required distances between coaling ports. The Daily Telegraph's London correspondent reported that the 'The tour of the Duke and Duchess of York is likely to cost the British ratepayer a cool quarter of a million…'
Arriving in Victoria on 6 May, the Duke and the Duchess were greeted with enthusiasm by the people of Melbourne. They attended a full programme of receptions, dinners and events. Public holidays allowed people to glimpse the royal couple. Australia's connection to the British Empire was clearly evident.
The Argus reported a typical event at Government House the day after their arrival, when the Duke 'received all citizens who were anxious to evidence their loyalty in that manner. The gathering was the most important ever witnessed in the colony. About 4,000 gentlemen attended, and paid their respects to the Heir Apparent with due decorum, and yet with celerity. The Duke shook hands with each and by pleasant tact and savoire faire placed all at their ease.' (Argus 1901, p. 6). The Duke and Duchess were kept busy with a program ranging from dinner and a University Commencement to the presentation of prizes to public schools. During their 10 day visit to Victoria they made a brief visit to country Victoria and managed to fit in a day's shooting.
The tour also included visits to the other states, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.
George and Mary had six children: Prince Edward, The Prince of Wales and later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor; Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, later King George VI; Princess Victoria; Prince Henry the Duke of Gloucester; Prince George the Duke of Kent; and Prince John.
George ascended the throne on his father's death on 9 May 1910. He was crowned in 1911. During his reign, which spanned World War I, the royal house abandoned the title The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (or the house of Hanover or Brunswick) and became known as the house of Windsor.
George died in 1936, and was succeeded briefly by Edward VIII who abdicated in favour of George VI.
References:
Argus. 8 May 1901.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 14 items
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Booklet - 'The Duke & Duchess A Memento of Their Visit to Melbourne', Leslie W. Craw, Melb ...
Publication titled on the cover 'The Duke and Duchess, a memento of their visit to Melbourne and opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia', May 1901, second edition, pu ...
Images: 7 -
Invitation - Royal Review, Flemington, Victoria, 1901
Colour invitation sent to Mr and Mrs JL Menzies. The invitation is to the Royal Review held at Flemington racecourse on Friday 10 May 1901. It was printed by Sands & McDougall. The Men ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 4 -
Commemorative Scroll - Sapper Alfred Galbraith, World War I, 1921
Commemorative scroll for Sapper Alfred Galbraith, 5th Division Signal Company, AIF. The scroll was sent to families of service personnel who died as a result of their combat in World Wa ...
Images: 1 -
Menu - Reception, Federation Celebrations, 9 May 1901
Colour printed menu for an evening reception held on the 9 May 1901, the day the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia was declared open, printed by E. Whitehead & Co of Melbourne. ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 3 -
Booklet - The Royal Visit, Australian Federation, 1901
This souvenir booklet was created to commemorate the Royal Visit and opening of Federal Parliament in 1901. It contains eight pages with a photograph on each side. The photos include va ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Book - Our Invited Guests An Official Directory, Melbourne, Victoria, 1901
This hard-cover book, "Our Invited Guests An Official Directory of the guests invited to Melbourne May 9th 1901 For the Opening of The First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia" ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Invitation - Reception for Duke & Duchess of Cornwall, Federation Celebrations, 1901
Highly-coloured invitation to an evening reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on 9 May 1901, to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York following the opening of the f ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 3 -
Booklet - 'The Duke & Duchess A Memento of Their Visit to Melbourne', Leslie W. Craw, Melb ...
Publication titled on the cover 'The Duke and Duchess, a memento of their visit to Melbourne and opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia', May 1901, second edition, pu ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 6 -
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Book - Opening of the First Parliament, Victoria, 1901
Untitled hard cover book with black and white photographic portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the Earl and Countess of Hopetoun. Printed by Osboldstone & Attkin ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Invitation - Conversazione in the Exhibition Building, Federation Celebrations, 1901
Coloured invitation printed on card to a Conversazione, an evening event held in the Exhibition Building on the evening of Tuesday 7 May 1901 as part of the Australian Commonwealth Cele ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2
