Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Abdication

See main article at Abdication Crisis of Edward VIII

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On November 16, 1936, Edward met with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin at Fort Belvedere and expressed his desire to marry Wallis Simpson when she became free to do so. The Prime Minister responded by presenting the King with three choices: he could give up the idea of marriage; marry Wallis against his minister's wishes; or abdicate. It was clear that Edward was not prepared to give up Wallis. By marrying against the wishes of his ministers, it was likely that the government would resign, prompting a constitutional crisis. The Prime Ministers of the British dominions had also made clear their opposition to the King marrying a divorcée; only the Irish Free State did not oppose the idea of marriage. Faced with this opposition, Edward chose to abdicate.

Related Topics:
November 16 - 1936 - British dominions - Irish Free State

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Edward duly signed an instrument of abdication at Fort Belvedere on December 10, 1936 in the presence of his three brothers, The Duke of York, The Duke of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent. The next day, he performed his last act as King when he gave royal assent to His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 which applied to the United Kingdom and all the dominions except the Irish Free State, which passed the equivalent External Relations Act the next day.

Related Topics:
December 10 - 1936 - The Duke of York - The Duke of Gloucester - The Duke of Kent - Royal assent - His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 - United Kingdom - External Relations Act

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On the night of December 11th, Edward, now reverted to the title of His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, made a broadcast to the nation and the Empire, explaining his decision to abdicate. 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."

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After the broadcast, Edward departed the United Kingdom for France, where Wallis was waiting for him. His brother, Prince Albert, Duke of York succeeded to the throne as King George VI, with his eldest daughter, The Princess Elizabeth first in the line of succession, as the heir presumptive.

Related Topics:
France - Prince Albert, Duke of York - The Princess Elizabeth - Heir presumptive

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