The British Monarchy, what an institution! What a family! There’s been wars, love affairs and more than a few head rolls.
Today’s story begins on the 11th December 1936 when Edward VIII (Uncle of the current Queen) declares to the nation, he no longer wishes to be King of Great Britain.
The announcement shocked the country!! It has gone down as one of the biggest royal scandals in history. It became known as the ABDICATION CRISIS.
So, how exactly did it get to this point?
Our Prince
Edward VIII was born in 1894, the eldest child of George V and Queen Mary. If you're slightly confused follow the arrows below to work out which monarch is who and how they're connected.
Christened Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (bit of a mouth full) Edward VIII was known by his friends and family as David.
During the 1920s and early 30s David was known as a womaniser with reckless behaviour, which worried the British Parliament.
The Love Affair begins
In 1930 through a circle of friends David met the woman who would change his life forever, her name was Wallis Simpson.
David soon became entranced and wanted to marry Wallis.
There was just one slight issue….
Wallis had already been divorced; she was still married to her second husband! with another divorce on the way.
Now remember this is the 1930s! the British Aristocracy could be incredibly judgmental (no different to modern day really) but this was in no way acceptable for a future Queen consort.
The mere thought of an American divorcee having influence over David, was enough to send the government into a frenzy.
The Abdication Begins
On the 20th January 1936 George V died, David ascended the throne as Edward VIII.
Wallis accompanied David everywhere in the following months and it was clear to everyone that the King wasn’t going to give up his woman so easily.
By November David invited the PM (Stanley Baldwin) to Buckingham Palace, expressing his utmost desire to marry Simpson.
Firstly, remarrying after a divorce was a massive no no by the Church of England back then.
Secondly, as the Head of the Church of England David was expected to follow these rules!
Baldwin then informed the King there was no way in hell his subjects would accept Simpson as their Queen.
He gave David 3 options
1. Give up Wallis
2. Marry against his ministers wishes
3. Abdicate
David knew if he married against the advice of his ministers, he could cause an all-out constitutional crisis. Whats a constitutional crisis? Click Here
So by December 1936 David made this declaration.....
He famously said, "I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility, without the support of the woman I love"
King for 11 months
There are those who believe that David never wanted to be King in the first place, he was never the favourite son and was seen as a constant disappointment in the eyes of his father. Did he use his love for Wallis as a way out? Was it always his intention to abdicate?
His biographer Phillip Ziegler said “The King who gave up his throne for love” is a cliché but an accurate rendering of that extraordinary event. Nothing can diminish its potency’.
Someone quitting the royal family, sound familiar?
What would David and Wallis think of the current situation with Harry and Megan, their stories bear a striking resemblance.
If it had been the 21st Century, would Wallies been accepted as Queen ?
Click Here to find out what life was like for them after the abdication?
What are your thoughts on the abdication crisis? What are thoughts on the similarities between then and now? Please feel free to comment.
If you’re interested in the British Monarchy click on the links below for more.
Head over to the sources page to see where I get all my info from, see you next time.
Very interesting blog posts Hayley look forward to to the weekly updates about history