The United Kingdom has entered a new era as the reign of King Charles III begins following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
While everyone is keen to see what the future has in store for the Royal Family, this is also a time when people look back at the monarchs that came before.
There are many significant moments from across the Queen’s own 70 year reign, but it is easy to forget that she was never meant to be Queen in the first place.
The young Princess Elizabeth became heir to the throne when her father – King George VI – took the place of his older brother – the Queen’s uncle – Edward VIII.
Edward’s abdication led to Queen Elizabeth’s future changing forever, but why did he step away from the crown in the first place?
Here is everything you need to know about Edward VIII’s abdication…
Why did Edward VIII abdicate?
King Edward chose to abdicate so he could marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson – a decision that was condemned by the Church and the government.
It also proved to be unpopular with the British public, once the news broke in the newspapers.
After the Queen’s grandfather King George V died on January 20, 1936, Edward immediately ascended to the throne.
But in less than a year, he became the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne in the following December.
In a radio address delivered on December 11, Edward stated: ‘I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.’
His relationship with Ms Simpson had previously been kept out of British newspapers, but when it became clear that they were intent on marrying, the Church of England and the government were quick to disapprove.
To many, an American twice-divorced woman was simply unacceptable as a prospective queen.
Edward did propose a morganatic marriage – which meant that he and Wallis could get married but she wouldn’t hold any royal titles, rank, or given any royal properties.
This proposal was rejected on December 2 by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin rejected the suggestion as impractical.
The next day, the scandal broke on the front pages of British newspapers and was discussed openly in Parliament, leading to Edward renouncing the throne on December 10, 1936.
It was approved by Parliament the next day, bringing an end to Edward VIII’s brief reign.
What happened to Edward and Mrs Simpson?
Edward was made Duke of Windsor by his brother King George VI in one of his first acts on the throne.
By June 3, 1937, Edward married Wallis Simpson at Chateau de Cande in France, and the couple went on to primarily live in France.
They caused further controversy when in October 1937 the Duke and Duchess visited Nazi Germany, against the advice of the British government, where they reportedly met Adolf Hitler in Bavaria.
In Germany, they were treated like royalty and were greeted bows and curtsies, with Edward and his wife being ‘treated with all the dignity and status that the duke always wanted’, according to royal biographer Andrew Morton in a 2016 BBC interview.
When the Second World War broke out and France became occupied by the Nazis’ in 1940, they moved to Spain.
It is widely believed that during this time the Duke and Duchess were the targets of a Nazis kidnap plot, with the fascist regime intent on returning Edward to the throne as a puppet king.
Winston Churchill – seemingly unaware of the kidnap plot but concerned about Edward’s pre-war Nazi connections – appointed Edward the governor of the Bahamas to keep the couple out of Europe.
After the war, Edward resigned as Duke of Winsor and moved back to France with his wife, with the couple living predominantly in Paris.
The once future King had a strained relationship with the Royal Family for the rest of his life, only returning to England a few times, including attending the funerals of his brother in 1952 and his mother – Queen Mary – in 1953.
His health deteriorated during the 1960s, and was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1971.
Queen Elizabeth II visited him in 1972 at his home in France – he died just ten days later on May 28, aged 77.
His body was returned to England, lying in state at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle ahead of his funeral on June 5, 1972.
He was buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, an estate near Windsor Castle.
Wallis Simpson lived largely in seclusion for her remaining years after suffering from dementia.
She died in Paris on April 24, 1986, and was buried next to Edward.
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