to his new role as monarch. On the day of his departure in September 1946, the King’s convoy was surrounded by crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of their new monarch."Please do not abandon the people," shouted a voice above the crowd. Recalling his experiences of the day, the King later remarked: "I felt like shouting back 'If the people do not abandon me, then how can I ever abandon the people?'"
Perhaps this voice helped to inspire the King to dedicate himself to his people throughout his long and eventful reign, lasting almost 70 years, and making him the longest reigning monarch in modern history.