Arthur VI
Arthur VI | |
---|---|
King of the Esthurs | |
Reign | 22 April, 1947 - present |
Predecessor | George XI |
Born | Weskerby, Esthursia | 20 January 1930
Spouse | Queen Consort Margrethe (m. 1949; died 2009) |
Issue | Crown Atling Llywellyn, and 2 others |
House | House of Bosbury |
Father | George XI |
Mother | Edith of Alming |
Arthur VI (Arthur Rickard Walter; born 20 January, 1930) has been King of Esthursia since 22 April, 1947. His reign of over 76 years became the longest of any Esthur monarch in history in Arthur's old age, and one of the world's longest as of May 2023.
Arthur was born in Armston House, Weskerby, as the first child of the Crown Prince (to become George XI) and his wife, Edith of Alming. His father acceded to the throne in 1947, upon the death of his paternal grandfather Edward V, however chose to abdicate, due to a mixture of personal choice and political instability. He was educated privately, and attended the University of Thornlow during his first years on the throne for a Classics degree, which he received with first class honours in 1951. In October 1949, he married Margrethe of Reth, and their marriage lasted nearly 60 years until her death in 2009. They had three children, including Crown Prince Llywellyn.
When his father abdicated in April 1947, Arthur - then just 17 years of age - came to the throne of Esthursia, then known as the Royal Union. Arthur has since reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the rule and demise of autocrat Olafn Arbjern, the civil rights movement of the 1950s-60s, three General Strikes, and into the new millennium. As King, Arthur has been served by 15 Forethanes.
Significant events included Arthur's coronation in 1948 and the celebrations of his Silver, Golden, Diamond, and First and Second Platinum jubilees in 1972, 1997, 2007, 2017 and 2022, respectively. Republicanism in Esthursia slowly returned to the forefront during his latter years, leading to Arthur's decision during his Second Platinum Jubilee of 2022 - in spite of personal popularity - to waive any succession, reduce the scale of the monarchy and prepare it to transition when he dies or abdicates, during the tenure of Harold Osborne, a soft republican.
Early life
Arthur was born in Armston House, Weskerby, on 20 January, 1930, to the Crown Prince George (1899-1993), and his wife, Edith of Alming (1899-1992). His paternal grandfather was incumbent reigning monarch Edward V (1862-1947); Arthur later attempted to emulate Edward's reigning as a popular, primarily ceremonial monarch who became a symbol of stability, displaying significant influence from his grandfather. He studied a degree in Classics at the Lorestead of Thornlow, a prestigious Sutton Group research university, in Gordon College, during the first years of his reign; he later stated this proved "interesting but incredibly pointless."
Reign
Arthur took to the throne in 1947, being coronated in April 1948, following the unexpected abdication of his father George IX.
Personal life
Arthur married Margrethe Alwick in 1949, and the two were married for almost 60 years, with Margrethe dying in January 2009. Arthur has three children, including Crown Atling Llywellyn (Llyn).