GEORGE VI

In 1920, he was made Duke of York. That year, Albert met for the first time since childhood Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. He became determined to marry her. Elizabeth rejected his proposal twice, in 1921 and 1922, reportedly because she was reluctant to make the sacrifices necessary to become a member of the royal family. In the words of Lady Strathmore, Albert would be made or marred by his choice of wife. After a protracted courtship, Elizabeth agreed to marry him and they married in April 1923. This would have been about the time they got engaged.