The King who gave up the throne to marry the woman he loved

The eldest son of George V, Prince Edward (known to his family as David) was very popular with the British people. He served in World War I and was the first member of the British Royal Family to become a pilot. He was also a very good-looking man, with fair hair, blue eyes and a boyish look on his face.

When George V died in 1936, Prince Edward became King. The government and the British people had high hopes for him. But Edward was in love with an American woman called Wallis Simpson and wanted to marry her. It isn’t easy for a British king to marry. As the king is Head of the Church of England, he cannot marry a Catholic or marry a divorced woman. Edward’s love wasn’t a Catholic, but she was American and divorced – twice! The Church of England and important people in Parliament made it clear that marrying Wallis Simpson was out of the question. The cabinet sent Edward a letter: «If you want to marry Mrs Simpson, Sir, give up the throne».

So after a very short reign – only 326 days – the young and popular king gave up the throne. In his famous radio address he said to the British people: «At last I’m free. I’m going to marry the woman I love. I’m sorry but I can’t be your King». Wallis Simpson and Edward were married in France on the 3rd of June, 1937. They never came back to Britain.