The true story that inspired ‘The King’s Speech,’ a 2010 Oscar-winning film

The history of the British royal family has been depicted in many films and series, such as Netflix’s “The Crown.”

In 2010, Colin Firth starred in a film revolving around the Duke of York, who must take the throne after his brother’s abdication: ‘The King’s Speech’.

The true story that inspired the movie “The King’s Speech”

The film shows that Edward VIII abdicates the throne of the United Kingdom, so his brother, the Duke of York, has to take all the responsibilities as the head of the monarchy. This includes an important radio speech declaring war on Germany in 1939. There was only one problem: he had to overcome his stutter.

George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, grew up in the shadow of his older brother, Edward. He was a shy man, stammered and did not believe he could lead an entire nation.

His coronation took place on 12 May 1937 at Westminster Abbey in London, the date on which his brother was due to take the throne, but he chose love over duty as king, as he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorcee American girl. woman.

Isabel, Jorve VI’s wife, sought help and found a speech therapist named Lionel Logue, who taught her how to improve her spoken language.

Together, they worked on the speech day and night, even changing a few words to make the king more comfortable, since stuttering would make the monarchy look ridiculous, which it didn’t, speaking coherently on the radio after World War II was declared. War from Germany.

Because of Lionel Logue’s great work, the Royal Victorian Order recognized him for his outstanding service and dedication to the Crown, working alongside King George VI for many years until the monarch died of lung cancer in 1952.

The next person to take the throne was his eldest daughter, Isabella II, who died on 8 September 2022 aged 95, leaving Charles III in her place, whose coronation took place on 6 May 2023 and she currently undergoing treatment for cancer. .

Who played George VI in ‘The King’s Speech’?

This historic event was shown in the film “The King’s Speech”, directed by Tom Hooper, which was recognized worldwide in many awards.

The film opens with Prince Albert, Duke of York (played by Colin Firth), stuttering during the closing speech at the 1925 British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Stadium. When he thinks he will never be able to improve his speech, his wife Isabel (Helena Bonham Carter) convinces him to see Lionel Logue (Geofrey Rush), an Australian speech pathologist living in London.

His father, King George V, died in January 1936 and Edward VIII ascended the throne, causing a major crisis in the monarchy after he expressed his desire to marry Wallis Simpson, a high-society American who has no still separated. second husband. His decision was final and Albert ascended the throne as George VI.

The king becomes a good friend of Logue, to whom he recounts the traumas he experienced in his childhood, such as the repression he suffered for being left-handed, the psychological abuse of his nanny and the death of his younger brother, understanding the origin of the speech problem of.

With the imminent arrival of World War II, George VI must deliver a powerful speech to the nation, so he enlists Logue’s help in preparing for it, achieving his goal in an emotional finale.

At the end of the film, the speech is a success and the king steps out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the thousands of people who have gathered, closing with a small sign showing that George VI and Lionel Logue were good friends.

The film was a success and won several Oscars, out of its twelve nominations it won the categories of Best Picture, Director (Hooper), Best Actor (Colin Firth) and Original Screenplay.