King George Vi's Treatment Methods
King George VI was born Albert Frederick Arthur George on 14 December 1895. He often suffered from ill health. He had a stammer that lasted for many years, and was forced to write with his right hand although he was naturally left-handed. He suffered from a list of other conditions as well. His speech disorder greatly affected his role as Duke of York, where public speaking was a major requirement. Prince Albert sought the aid of many doctors, whose treatment methods would not be respected by anybody today. The Prince was finally treated by Lionel Logue. Logue’s treatment methods were considered unorthodox and controversial at the time, but they worked. During their first session, Loguel insists on being called Lionel by his patient and on breaching royal etiquette by calling the Prince "Bertie", a name used only by his family. When Albert decides Lionel's treatment is unsuitable, Lionel bets him that he can recite the soliloquy from the Nunnery Scene from Shakespeare's Hamlet without trouble and distracts him by playing the Overture from the Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through headphones while recording his performance on an acetate record. Albert leaves in anger but Lionel offers him the recording as a keepsake. After King George V makes his 1934
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Christmas radio address, he explains to his son the importance of broadcasting to a modern monarchy and demands that Albert train himself, starting with a reading of his father's speech. His attempt to do so is a failure. Later, Albert plays Lionel's recording and hears himself reciting unhesitatingly.
Albert returns to Lionel, where he and his wife both insist that Lionel focus only on physical exercises, not therapy.
Lionel teaches his patient muscle relaxation and breath control but continues to probe gently and persistently at the psychological roots of the stutter. Diagnosing poor co-ordination between Albert's larynx and diaphragm, Lionel prescribed a daily hour of vocal exercises including tongue twisters. Lionel's treatment gave Albert the confidence to relax and avoid stress-induced muscle spasms. As a result, he suffered only the occasional hesitancy in speech. He began speaking confidently and managed his address at the opening of the Old Parliament House in Canberra without
stuttering.
Lionel continued working with Albert through his father’s death and short reign of his brother. During preparations for his coronation, after his brother abdicated the throne, in Westminster Abbey, Albert learns that Lionel has no formal qualifications. When confronted, Lionel explains how he was asked to help shell-shocked Australian soldiers returning from the First World War. Upon Britain's declaration of war with Germany Albert summons Lionel to Buckingham Palace to prepare for his upcoming radio address to Britain and the Empire. Albert and Lionel are left in the broadcasting room to rehearse. He delivers his speech with Lionel conducting him, but by end is speaking freely.
The two remained good friends and worked together for the remainder of Albert’s life. Albert’s stammer continued, but he was able to manage it during important public speeches. If it was not for Lionel’s unorthodox treatment methods, Albert would not have been able to lead the British Empire during the Second World War.
Christmas radio address, he explains to his son the importance of broadcasting to a modern monarchy and demands that Albert train himself, starting with a reading of his father's speech. His attempt to do so is a failure. Later, Albert plays Lionel's recording and hears himself reciting unhesitatingly.
Albert returns to Lionel, where he and his wife both insist that Lionel focus only on physical exercises, not therapy.
Lionel teaches his patient muscle relaxation and breath control but continues to probe gently and persistently at the psychological roots of the stutter. Diagnosing poor co-ordination between Albert's larynx and diaphragm, Lionel prescribed a daily hour of vocal exercises including tongue twisters. Lionel's treatment gave Albert the confidence to relax and avoid stress-induced muscle spasms. As a result, he suffered only the occasional hesitancy in speech. He began speaking confidently and managed his address at the opening of the Old Parliament House in Canberra without
stuttering.
Lionel continued working with Albert through his father’s death and short reign of his brother. During preparations for his coronation, after his brother abdicated the throne, in Westminster Abbey, Albert learns that Lionel has no formal qualifications. When confronted, Lionel explains how he was asked to help shell-shocked Australian soldiers returning from the First World War. Upon Britain's declaration of war with Germany Albert summons Lionel to Buckingham Palace to prepare for his upcoming radio address to Britain and the Empire. Albert and Lionel are left in the broadcasting room to rehearse. He delivers his speech with Lionel conducting him, but by end is speaking freely.
The two remained good friends and worked together for the remainder of Albert’s life. Albert’s stammer continued, but he was able to manage it during important public speeches. If it was not for Lionel’s unorthodox treatment methods, Albert would not have been able to lead the British Empire during the Second World War.