 George VI ( Albert Frederick Arthur George ; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952 ) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death . He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth . Known as Albert until his accession , George VI was born in the reign of his grandfather, King Edward VII , and was thus a member of the Windsor family . He was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary . A nephew of King George VI, Albert was born in the reign of his grandfather, King Edward VII , and was thus a member