George V of the United Kingdom

Attributed:

• "I look upon him as the greatest criminal known for having plunged the world into war."
  • Statement about his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany (1918)

• "After I am dead, the boy will ruin himself in twelve months."
  • Statement to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin , referring to his son, Edward, Prince of Wales

• "I may be uninspiring, but I'll be damned if I'm alien."
  • Said in response to H.G. Wells 's criticism of his "alien and uninspiring [i.e. German-descended] court"

• "But, remember, I wish to have the best collection, not just one of the best collections in England."
  • King George V to J.A. Tilleard, Honorary Secretary, Philatelic Society, on appointing him as Philatelist to the King

• "You can't shake hands with a clenched fist."

• "Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance."

• "Golf always makes me so damned angry."

• "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."

• "Bugger Bognor."
  • Alleged last words, in response to being told that he would soon be well enough to visit the seaside resort Bognor Regis