Read PEOPLE's exclusive excerpt from royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith's new book, George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy Simon Perry is a writer and correspondent at PEOPLE.

Albert's once close relationship with his elder brother deteriorated, and he was crowned King George VI on May 12, 1937, in Westminster Abbey. Two years later the Second World War broke out ...

Indeed, the story of how King George VI became king is one for the ages. Nearly a century ago, the unlikely story began with two brothers: One, the heir to the throne, was a flamboyant and ...

Prince Louis was seen playfully mimicking his older brother, Prince George ... William’s great-grandfather King George VI was head of the monarchy at the time. The British royals are expected ...

LONDON, Feb. 6, 1952 (UP) - King George VI was born during the reign of a queen ... Albert Frederick Arthur George lived in the shadow of his elder brother Edward, the Prince of Wales.