Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

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Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David Windsor), later The Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), was the second British monarch of the House of Windsor. He reigned as the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the British Dominions beyond the Seas, and Emperor of India for slightly less than a year, from the death of his father, George V, on 20 January 1936 until his own abdication on 11 December 1936.

Related Topics:
Windsor - 23 June - 1894 - 28 May - 1972 - British monarch - House of Windsor - King - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - British Dominions beyond the Seas - Emperor of India - George V - 20 January - 1936 - Abdication - 11 December

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Prior to his accession to the throne he held the titles of Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Prince of Wales with the style Royal Highness. After his abdication he reverted to the style of a son of the sovereign and was created Duke of Windsor. During World War II he was the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bahamas after spending a great deal of time in Bermuda.

Related Topics:
Duke of Cornwall - Duke of Rothesay - Prince of Wales - ''Royal Highness'' - Duke of Windsor - World War II - Bahamas - Bermuda

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Edward is the only British monarch to have voluntarily relinquished the throne. He signed the instrument of abdication on 10 December 1936. The British Parliament passed His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 the next day and, on receiving the Royal Assent from Edward, he legally ceased to be King in the United Kingdom and all but one of his commonwealth realms. However a delay in the meeting of the Irish Free State's Dáil Éireann meant that his abdication from his Irish throne did not legally come into force until one day later. As a result Britain and Ireland for 24 hours had different kings.

Related Topics:
10 December - 1936 - British Parliament - His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 - Royal Assent - Commonwealth realm - Irish Free State - Dáil Éireann - Irish

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