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What was King George VI's illness?: The smoking-related health conditions of the British monarch

King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, was a heavy smoker who faced significant health problems throughout his later life. His struggles, exacerbated by the stress of World War II, culminated in a diagnosis of lung cancer, prompting a closely guarded secret operation. This was just one part of what was King George VI's illness, and his death at 56 marked a profound turning point in British royal history.