Edward VIII
Born in Richmond-upon-Thames, LondonBorn on 23rd of June 1894
Died on 28th of May 1972
Edward VIII was born on the 23rd June 1894 at his grand parents home, White Lodge in Richmond, Surrey in England, he was the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who were destined to become King George V, and Queen Mary, his great grandmother was Queen Victoria. He became the Prince Of Wales and the Earl of Chester on 23rd June 1910 at 16 years of age during a special ceremony that was held at Caernarfon Castle in Wales.
His father died just before midnight on January 20th 1936, he succeeded to the throne at 41 years of age, he had seen every part of the British Empire during his many foreign tours, and proved very popular with the people, as he had visited many places during the 30's depression, he had a good caring attitude to those who were less privileged than himself and a proven war record during his time served in WW1.
Although he became king on the death of his father he was never actually crowned as trouble brewed when he met and fell deeply in love with Wallis Simpson, who was an American divorcee, he wanted to marry her and, as he was the head of the church of England, this was an impossible act. Government put him under pressure offering several solutions to the problem, however, he decided that he would indeed marry Wallis Simpson.
He abdicated just 11 months after becoming king, he signed official papers and broadcast a heartfelt speech with his brothers present, which ended his reign of 325 days, the broadcast reached the entire Empire and Nation outlining his reasons for his abdication, he was eventually succeeded by George VI who became king.
Wallis Simpson became his bride during the marriage ceremony in Paris where they remained, they were bestowed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Windsor, they never had any children, and only occasionally returned to England on brief and short visits for funerals, and he also became the Governor and Commander in Chief of the Bahamas, after being surrounded by controvesy when he met with Adolph Hitler in Germany in 1937.
Edward died of throat cancer in Paris on 28th May 1972, and was buried at Frogmore, in Windsor, he had been the first ever monarch to abdicate voluntarily, and also to have become a qualified pilot. His wife died a decade and a half later, she too is buried by his side at Frogmore.
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