King Edward VIII

Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, was born on 23rd June 1894, eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of York (destined to become King George V and Queen Mary). Note his last four names are the names of the Patron Saints of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. As heir to the throne, his unmarried status, and natural good looks brought him much public attention - at the height of his popularity, it was said that he was the most photographed celebrity of his time! The image chosen to illustrate him comes from a picture postcard.

It was no secret that King George V favoured his son Albert (‘Bertie’), and his grand-daughter Elizabeth (‘Lilibet’). It’s on record that King George V told a courtier, ‘I pray to God that my eldest son will never marry and have children, and that nothing will come between Bertie and Lilibet and the throne’.

Edward became King Edward VIII when his father died on 20th January 1936.

Edward, now King, caused an immediate constitutional crisis when he chose not to end his relationship with the American socialite Wallis Simpson. She was a divorcee, and seeking a divorce from her second husband, which if King Edward were to marry her, would conflict with the King’s status as the titular head of the Church of England.

Edward abdicated, and on the 11th December 1936 he (now as Prince Edward) made a radio broadcast to the nation and the Empire, explaining his decision. He famously said, ‘I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love’.

With a reign of just 326 days, Edward was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history. After his abdication, he was created Duke of Windsor, and went on to marry Wallis Simpson in France on 3rd June 1937. He died on the 28th May 1972.