Wallis, Duchess of Windsor

Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (June 19 1896–April 24, 1986), formerly Wallis Simpson, was the wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom. The King's desire to marry Wallis, an American and twice divorced, caused a constitutional crisis in the United Kingdom, which ultimately led to his abdication.

Abdication Crisis

On January 20, 1936, King George V died and Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. The next day, he broke royal protocol by watching the proclamation of his accession from a window of St. James's Palace, in the company of the still-married Wallis. The King?s behaviour and his relationship with Wallis made him unpopular with the Conservative British government, as well as horrifying his mother and brother.

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January 20 - 1936

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There was no legal barrier to King Edward marrying Wallis, and she would have automatically become Queen of the United Kingdom, and Empress of India. However, the British government and the governments of the dominions (except the Irish Free State) were against the idea of marriage between the King and an American divorcee. The British Royal Family and the Churches of England and Scotland were also opposed to the union.

Related Topics:
Dominions - Irish Free State

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After Wallis and her second husband laid a petition in court to divorce, her relationship with the King began to become public knowledge in the UK. Wallis fled the country as the scandal broke, going to the South of France to stay with friends.

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Back in the United Kingdom, the King consulted with both the British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, and the Archbishop of Canterbury on a way to marry Wallis and keep the throne. A suggested morganatic marriage was rejected by Baldwin and the other Commonwealth Prime Ministers, leading the King with no option but to abdicate if he were to marry Wallis. The King signed the Instrument of Abdication on December 10, 1936 and special laws in the British Parliament, His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 ended his reign with effect from 11 December. That day, the now HRH The Prince Edward made a broadcast to the British people, saying of Wallis, ?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?.

Related Topics:
British Prime Minister - Stanley Baldwin - Archbishop of Canterbury - Morganatic marriage - December 10 - 1936 - His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 - 11 December

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Afterwards, Prince Edward left the UK and joined Wallis in France.

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