Monarch of the Week

This Weeks Monarch is:

Edward VIII

Full Name:

Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David

Born:

June 23, 1894

White Lodge, Richmond, Surrey, England

Died:

May 28, 1672 at the age of 77

4 Rue du Champ d’Entrainement, Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, France

Burial:

5 June 1972

Frogmore, Berkshire

Father:

George V

Mother:

Mary of Teck

Spouse:

Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

Issue:

None

House:

House of Windsor

Title:

King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions

Emperor of India

Duke of Windsor

Reign:

January 20, 1936-December 11, 1936

Coronation:

None

Abdication:

December 11, 1936

Predecessor:

George V

Successor:

George VI

Signature:

The Coronation Portrait that was never meant to be seen. As Edward never received a coronation this picture was never meant to be released to the public although it was released December 2011.

The Left-facing coin of Edward VIII

Instrument of Abdication signed by Edward and his three brothers.

Edward delivering his abdication speech

The Château de Candé, Monts, Indre-et-Loire, France where Edward and Wallis wed.

Edward & Wallis’ wedding photo

Interesting & Random Facts:

*Edward VIII was called David until he became king in 1936

*He became the Prince of Wales in 1911

*He was also the first Prince of England to have his picture circulated.

*His love of women gave him the title of “The Playboy Prince”

*He broke with the tradition that on coinage each successive monarch faced in the opposite direction to his or her predecessor. Edward opted to have image face the left (as his father had done), to capture his better side which showed the part in his hair.

*In 1930 Edward met Wallis Simpson. Not only was Wallis a divorcée she was remarried and she was American, but that did not stop Edward from pursuing her. Finally Wallis divorced her husband to openly pursue her relationship with Edward.

*After Edward became king he made his wishes known to marry Wallis which caused a rift with his council who rejected the marriage. When Edward purposed a morganatic marriage it was also rejected by his council. Deciding to follow his heart, Edward abdicated the throne to marry the woman he loved.

*After his abdication, he became the Duke of Windsor.