King George VI 'showed no signs of tiredness' at Sandringham the day before his died
The Lynn News is looking back 70 years to a sad day when King George VI died at the Sandringham royal estate on Wednesday, February 6, 1952. This is part three ...
On the day before his death, King George VI went shooting on the Sandringham Estate. Lord Fermoy, who was in the party of six guns which bagged no less than a reported 300 hares [sic], described it as a “perfectly marvellous day” when speaking to the Lynn News and Advertiser.
Recalling the moments at the end of the shoot, Lord Fermoy said: “The King hurried round and asked us to come again on Thursday. The estate looked lovely and the King really enjoyed his day.
“I had never seen him really in better health. He shot awfully well and showed no signs of tiredness.
"The King was a great shot and was on the top of his form.
"I saw him get nine hares and even one pigeon which he took perfectly cleanly 80 to 100 feet up.”
Lord Fermoy said the King used a Land Rover and there was no question of any great exertion, adding: “I feel that I have lost a personal friend.”
His residence, Park House, was on the estate standing near to the rectory and church where the King had worshipped. A keen tennis player, the King often visited Park House to play on the tennis court there.
While the King was out shooting that day, the Queen and Princess Margaret visited Barton Broad near Norwich and lunched with the artist Edward Seago.