On February 20, 1947, King George VI made the significant decision to appoint Lord Louis Mountbatten as the last Viceroy of India, following the advice of British Prime Minister Clement Attlee. This appointment came at a crucial time as India was preparing for independence from British rule. Attlee announced this decision in the House of Commons, emphasizing the importance of Mountbatten's role in overseeing the transfer of power from Britain to India.

Lord Mountbatten's background as a naval commander during World War II, along with his connections and sympathies toward the Labour Party, made him a strategic choice for this position. His lineage as a great-grandson of Queen Victoria likely influenced the decision, presenting a figure who could command respect among both British officials and Indian leaders. The British government recognized that a knowledgeable and experienced figure was needed to facilitate a smooth transition in such turbulent times.

The implications of this appointment were profound, as Lord Mountbatten undertook the responsibility of managing the complexities of India's independence, which included addressing the communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims. His tenure as Viceroy set the stage for the eventual partition of India, leading to significant historical consequences for the subcontinent.