ROYAL CHILDREN:

An exceptional and rare vintage signed sepia 8 x 9.5 photograph by each of the six children of King George V and Queen Mary individually, comprising -Edward, Prince of Wales (1894-1972) later King Edward VII, then Duke of WindsorPrince Albert, Duke of York (1895-1952) later King George VIMary, Princess Royal (1897-1965) later Countess of HarewoodPrince Henry (1900-1974) later Duke of GloucesterPrince George (1902-1942) later Duke of Kent, andPrince John (1905-1919)The image depicts the six children standing together in full length poses in two rows on the outdoor steps of a royal residence. Princess Mary stands in the centre of the back row, flanked by the two future Kings of England, the two youngest Princes standing immediately before them on the front row, each wearing sailor suits and with their brother's hands resting on their shoulders. Prince Henry is attired in a formal suit and stands in the centre of the front row with his sister placing one hand on his left shoulder. Photograph by W & D Downey of London, and from the appearance of the children most likely taken around 1910. Signed by the children in bold, black fountain pen inks, each with their names alone to the photographer's mount. Each of the children have signed using their family names; Edward, Prince of Wales signing himself 'David', Prince Albert, Duke of York signing himself 'Bertie', the Princess Royal signing herself 'Mary', Prince Henry signing himself 'Harry', Prince George signing himself 'Georgie' and Prince John signing himself 'Johnnie' in a small, neat hand, in capital letters. Very slightly neatly trimmed to the lower edge, otherwise VG Very slightly neatly trimmed to the lower edge, otherwise VGAn extremely rare signed Royal family portrait.The fact that each of the children have signed their family names on the present photograph would indicate that it was originally presented to an individual closely associated with the family, and most likely another Royal family member.Each of the children of King George V were born before he became King in 1911. Prince George, when Duke of York, had married Princess Mary of Teck on 6th July 1893. They had five sons and one daughter together, two of whom would become Kings themselves. Their youngest son, Prince John, who caused the King and his consort great anxiety for many years, tragically died at the young age of 13 after a lifetime of ill health. Randolph Churchill claimed that King George was a strict father, to the extent that his children were terrified of him. The King apparently once remarked to the Earl of Derby, 'My father was frightened of his mother, I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me'.