The Crown on the Air

24 May 1923 · 3 min

King George V and Queen Mary address the children of the Empire on Empire Day, 24 May 1923 — among the earliest surviving recordings of a reigning British monarch speaking to a broadcast audience. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

11 Dec 1936 · 4 min

Edward VIII from Windsor Castle, 11 December 1936, hours after signing the Instrument of Abdication. Commercial disc transfer, first part. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

11 Dec 1936 · 4 min

The conclusion of the abdication broadcast, including the passage on the woman he loved and the appeal for support for his brother. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

11 Dec 1936 · 3 min

An alternate contemporary disc issue of the same broadcast, pressed for sale within days of the transmission. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

11 Dec 1936 · 6 min

The abdication address in a single unbroken transfer, with Sir John Reith's introduction. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

12 May 1937 · 4 min

Recorded inside Westminster Abbey at the coronation of George VI, 12 May 1937 — the first coronation ever broadcast live, and the first recorded in the building. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

12 May 1937 · 3 min

The anointing anthem concludes; from the official HMV recording of the Abbey service. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.

13 Oct 1940 · 3 min

Fourteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth speaks on Children's Hour to the evacuated children of Britain and the Commonwealth, with Princess Margaret at the close. Her first broadcast. Disc transfer held by the Internet Archive.