The Abdication of King Edward VIII was when he chose to give up the British throne in 1936 so he could marry Wallis Simpson. He ruled for only 327 days because the Church of England didn't approve of his marriage. This major event shocked the world and changed British history forever.

Imagine being the most important person in an entire country—the King! You have castles, amazing clothes, and everyone bows to you. Now, imagine giving all that up just for one person. Sounds like a super dramatic movie, right?

Well, it actually happened in real British history! This is the amazing story of King Edward VIII, who reigned for only 327 days in 1936. He was super popular and seen as a modern King, but his big decision shocked the world. He chose to give up the crown to marry an American woman named Wallis Simpson, who had been married before. This big moment is known as the Abdication Crisis!

Mira

Mira says:

"Wow, Finn! To give up a job that important? That shows how much he loved her! For kids learning history, it’s a big lesson that love can sometimes be stronger than a crown, even if it causes a huge fuss!"

What Was the Big Problem with Wallis Simpson?

Edward VIII loved Wallis Simpson, an American socialite, very much. But when he became King in January 1936, it became clear he wanted to marry her.

Here’s the tricky part: Wallis had already been married twice! Back then, the King was also the head of the Church of England, and the Church did not allow a person to remarry if their previous spouse was still alive.

This meant that if Edward married Wallis, he would not have the support of the government or the Church. Many powerful people felt that a twice-divorced woman was simply not suitable to be the Queen Consort.

Mind-Blowing Fact!

Edward VIII was the only British sovereign in history to voluntarily resign the throne! That means he was the only one who chose to quit being King.

The King's Royal Timeline: A Very Short Reign!

Edward’s time as King was super quick! It all happened in the year 1936. He became King on January 20th and said goodbye to the throne in December!

Before becoming King, Edward was known as the Prince of Wales and was actually quite popular. People liked that he seemed modern and cared about things like the economy.

327 Days on the Throne
(Jan 20 - Dec 11, 1936)
1936 Year of Abdication
The year the whole crisis happened!
1937 Year of Marriage
When he married Wallis in France

How Did He Actually Give Up the Crown?

When the government told Edward he had to choose between Wallis and the throne, he knew what he had to do. He didn't want to cause a massive fight that could damage the whole country and the Royal Family.

He had three choices: give up Wallis, give up the crown, or marry her and cause a huge political mess. He chose the second option: giving up the crown!

The Big Decision Day

On December 10, 1936, Edward signed the official papers, called the Instrument of Abdication. He signed them at a place called Fort Belvedere, with his three younger brothers watching.

The very next day, on December 11, the government passed a law called the Declaration of Abdication Act to make it official. That same evening, Edward made a famous speech on the radio to tell his people the news!

In his speech, he famously said he couldn't do his royal job as he wished without the help and support of the woman he loved.

💡 Did You Know?

When Edward gave up the throne, he instantly became known as His Royal Highness, the Duke of Windsor! The crown passed straight to his younger brother, who became King George VI.

🎯 Quick Quiz!

What was the main reason the British government didn't want Edward VIII to marry Wallis Simpson?

A) She was American and not from an old royal family.
B) She was too interested in politics.
C) She had been divorced twice, which the Church of England opposed for a Queen.
D) She didn't like wearing tiaras.

What Happened Next for the Former King?

After saying goodbye to his kingdom, Edward left England and went to live in Europe. He married Wallis in a private ceremony in France on June 3, 1937.

Sadly, his brother, King George VI, made sure that while Edward was the Duke of Windsor, Wallis would *not* be called 'Her Royal Highness' (HRH). The Royal Family was upset and didn't really welcome her.

  • No More Royal Duties: Edward never held an official royal job again after leaving the throne.
  • Governor of the Bahamas: During World War II, he was appointed Governor of the Bahamas colony until 1945.
  • Life in Exile: The Duke and Duchess spent much of their lives living in France, traveling, and attending parties.
  • Controversy: Some people worried about their friendships, as they even visited Nazi Germany and met with Adolf Hitler!

Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson stayed married for over 35 years, until Edward’s death in 1972. Their story is a famous reminder that sometimes, even the biggest jobs in the world have to take a backseat to matters of the heart, at least for this one very unusual king!

Questions Kids Ask About British History

How long was King Edward VIII on the throne?
King Edward VIII had one of the shortest reigns ever! He was king for only 327 days, from January 20, 1936, until he abdicated on December 11, 1936.
What title did Edward VIII get after he gave up the crown?
After his abdication, Edward was given the title Duke of Windsor by his brother, the new King George VI. His wife became the Duchess of Windsor.
Did Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson ever get to be Queen and King?
No, they did not. Edward gave up the throne so he *could* marry Wallis, but this meant she could not become Queen because of the rule about divorce.
Who became King after Edward VIII abdicated?
Edward's younger brother, Prince Albert, immediately became the next monarch. He took the name King George VI.

A Crown Lost, A Love Gained!

What an incredible moment in history! Choosing love over duty like that is a tough call for anyone, let alone a King! If you want to hear more about dramatic royal moments that changed the world, check out our other episodes. Keep exploring history with History's Not Boring!