The Crown in Crisis: Countdown to the Abdication, Larman - C

                   Edward VIII acceded to the crown at the age of 41 on January 20, 1936. His father did not consider him fit for the throne. For the previous four years, he had been having an affair with a married American, Wallis Simpson. "From the outset of his reign, he was an unsuited and reluctant monarch, unwilling to compromise his own happiness for the sake of a symbolic role that he barely believed in. He was neither a good sovereign, nor a good man..." His affection for Wallis and his intent to eventually marry her began to unnerve those close to the monarchy. In July, Wallis initiated divorce proceedings against her husband. On Oct. 8th, the PM, Stanley Baldwin, tried to convince the King to stop Wallis' divorce. The feeling in the government was that if an affair with a married woman was conducted discreetly, there would be no serious repercussions. Meanwhile, the divorce garnered extensive foreign press coverage. For the time being, Fleet Street remained mum. In court, Wallis perjured herself to achieve the desired judicial result. For many, the prospect of the monarch marrying the twice-divorced American daughter of a Baltimore boarding house proprietor rankled deeply. Edward, though, was bound and determined to marry her. The King's Private Secretary, Alec Hardinge, wrote him a very stern letter citing "grave dangers" to the country and crown, and recommending that he send Wallis out of the country. The letter had the approval of the PM, whom Edward met with on Nov. 16 and indicated he was prepared to abdicate. Wallis was well aware of the crisis that was blossoming and gave serious consideration to simply leaving the country and Edward. Baldwin discussed the possibility of a morganatic marriage with the Cabinet. They declined to take up legislation on the topic and also refused to allow Edward to appeal to the people on the radio.

                     With Fleet Street ready to pounce, Wallis left for Cannes on Dec. 2. Meanwhile, the populace sided with the King. His supporters, primarily Beaverbrook and Churchill, believed he could wait out the crisis and make a decision after his scheduled spring coronation. Nonetheless, Edward decided to abdicate. Wallis again offered to break her relationship with Edward, who refused to hear of it. As the crisis came to a head, the issue of finances came to the fore. His brother agreed that the royal family would approve a title and funding going forward. On Dec 10, he signed seven copies of the Instrument of Abdication. Parliament approved the bill authorizing the abdication the following day. That night, he spoke to the nation and sailed from Portsmouth for the continent. He married Wallis in 1937; they were married until his death in 1972.