December 11: On This Day in World History … briefly
Simpson was perceived to be politically and socially unsuitable as a prospective queen consort because of her two failed marriages.
1936: King renounces throne for love
Britain’s King Edward VIII abdicates less than a year after his accession to the throne. The king ended months of rumour and controversy in a radio broadcast to the nation from Windsor Castle.
“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.” he said.
After the broadcast he boarded a Royal Navy destroyer in Portsmouth, taking him to exile in France to join the twice-divorced Mrs Wallis Simpson. Edward’s younger brother became King George VI.
Edward and Mrs Simpson first met in 1931, but their love affair did not begin until 1934, since when they had been inseparable. His resolve to marry her could not be shaken even by the combined forces of the royal family, the cabinet and the church. Prime minister Stanley Baldwin finally told the king to choose between his throne and Mrs Simpson. He chose Mrs Simpson.
Most notable historic snippets or facts extracted from the book ‘On This Day’ first published in 1992 by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London, as well as additional supplementary information extracted from Wikipedia.
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