George VI. The Prince who was never meant to be King. Terrorised by his father George V and overshadowed by his gregarious elder brother and heir to the throne, Edward But following Edward’s shocking abdication, the stammering Prince Albert endeavoured to fulfil his duty to his country, to win over his public, and deal with the chaos wrought by the second world war. George VI took his rightful place on the throne and led the country out of the darkness, as the first modern king.