The Queen's father, King George VI, was never meant to be king, but ascended the throne following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. He was staid, dutiful, hesitant and insecure – and the public loved him for it. Here, Denis Judd reveals how the George VI's sheer ordinariness – including his famous stammer – helped make him the darling of the nation| HistoryExtra
Millions of people took to the streets of Britain on 8 May 1945 to celebrate VE Day – the day when the German armed forces signed an unconditional surrender, and the Second World War in Europe finally came to an end. Hanging bunting, waving flags, drinking and dancing, the streets were crammed with joyous revellers...| HistoryExtra