Heir Apparent

Heir Apparent

On June 23rd, 1894, heir apparent, Prince Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David was born. His parents, the Duke and Duchess of York were later to become King George V and Queen Mary. He was the great grandson of the then reigning Queen Victoria and in direct line for the royal throne, thus at his birth he was immediately titled Highness Prince Edward of York. His upbringing was carefully calculated to train the young Prince Edward to one day reign as King over the United Kingdom. He was educated at home with with strict tutorship, which included tutors in French and German. At 16 his father ascended the throne bringing Prince Edward closer his own regal reign. He was invested as Prince of Wales  at a special ceremony and preparations began in earnest for his role as future king. His studies included training at the Royal Naval College and Magdalen College, Oxford. Throughout the 1920’s Prince Edward represented his father, King George V at home and abroad, on many occasions. He undertook sixteen royal tours of the British Empire between 1919 and 1935. Finally, after many years of exacting training, Prince Edward was proclaimed King Edward VIII upon the death of his father, on January 20 1936. However, a crisis in the royal family and the government of Britain occurred, when King Edward VIII fell romantically in love with a divorced American socialite named Wallis Simpson. As the head of the Church of England, King Edward could not marry a divorced woman, whose former two husbands were still alive. In December 1936 King Edward chose to abdicate the throne of England to marry the woman he loved.

King Edward’s choice to abdicate thrust his younger brother, Prince Albert, suddenly into the limelight and without a life time of preparations, to be crowned the next reigning Monarch. Prince Albert was born in 1895. He was not raised to take the royal throne. He was known as “Bertie”. He wore leg braces as a child to correct his knock knees. Naturally left handed he had been forced to write with his right hand. He was often ill and easily frightened and prone to tears and tantrums.At 8 years of age he developed a stammer which was to plague him for the rest of his life. Although Prince Albert was trained in the Royal Navy Academy, he finished at the bottom of his class. He was shy and awkward. Upon reacquainting himself with beautiful Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, he was smitten. After twice refusing the Prince’s marriage proposals, Elizabeth finally agreed and they were married in 1923. The quiet unobtrusive couple completed their family with the birth of two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. Then with a sudden unexpected twist of events this young family were thrown into the public eye and prominence as the untrained and ill prepared, Bertie, now Prince Albert became coronated King George VI.

King George VI was a conscientious and dedicated King and he worked extremely hard and tirelessly for his people. WWII found him greatly beloved by the nation as he refused to leave the palace for safety, choosing to stay and suffer with his people. He developed a close working relationship with Winston Churchill, war time prime minister of England. He greatly strengthened the link between King and people during the war and he went on to successfully reign until his death in 1952. Churchill placed a wreath at the King’s funeral, with the simple words written thereon, “For Valour”.

King George VI and the Queen standing among the bombed ruins of Buckingham Palace

What made a shy, ill prepared, untrained, quiet, retiring man become a courageous, dedicated and conscientious man? He had not been raised to be the King. He had received no special instruction, disciple or preparation. Upon his coronation he became King George VI. He knew who he was and what his role was and the purpose of life. He rose to the occasion, gained wisdom from leaders around him and nobly served his country and Kingdom. 

I was born not knowing that my future destiny would one day  be a regal one. I had no idea of my true purpose. As I accepted Christ as my Saviour I suddenly became an heir apparent. I was ill prepared for my new role. I am to one day reign with Christ. I have a royal destiny which starts today. Do I know my identity, my role in Christ and my purpose in life? Christ sends His Spirit to prepare me “rise to the occasion”, to gain wisdom, courage and to enable me to nobly serve the Kingdom of God. Who am I? I am a daughter of the King, heir apparent. Who are you? Will I step into God’s purpose for my life? Will you?

Rev 5:10 And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev 1:6 And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

John 17:4 "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do

1 Cor 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.