George VI the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, J. H. Thomas. King George V had severe reservations about Prince Edward, saying "After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months" and "I pray God that my eldest son will never marry and that nothing will come between Bertie and Lilibet and the throne." On 20 January 1936, George V died and Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. In the Vigil of the Princes, Prince Albert and his three brothers took a shift standing guard over their father's body as it lay in state, in a closed
Frederick W. Barrett Frederick W. Barrett Major Frederick W. Barrett (20 June 1875 – 7 November 1949) was an English international polo player. He trained race horses for three British Monarchs George V, Edward VIII and George VI. He was born on 20 June 1875 in England. Barrett was in the 15th Hussars and had been a successful steeplechase rider. He began polo when his regiment went to India in 1902. He competed on the England polo team in the 1914 and 1921 International Polo Cup. The English team were victorious in 1914 ending a series of losses. He won the Roehampton Trophy