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Edward [[abdicated]] (resigned) from the [[throne]], because he wanted to [[marriage|marry]] the [[United States|American]] woman [[Wallis Simpson]]. Simpson had been married twice before. As King, he was Head of the [[Church of England]], and the Church did not support [[divorce]]. After abdicating as king, he was known as His Royal Highness the '''Duke of Windsor'''.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34349 |date= 12 December 1936|page=8111 }}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34350 |date=15 December 1936 |page=8115 }}</ref> His wife was not allowed to be called "Her Royal Highness".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34402 |date=28 May 1937 |page=3429 }}</ref>

Edward [[abdicated]] (resigned) from the [[throne]], because he wanted to [[marriage|marry]] the [[United States|American]] woman [[Wallis Simpson]]. Simpson had been married twice before. As King, he was Head of the [[Church of England]], and the Church did not support [[divorce]]. After abdicating as king, he was known as His Royal Highness the '''Duke of Windsor'''.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34349 |date= 12 December 1936|page=8111 }}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34350 |date=15 December 1936 |page=8115 }}</ref> His wife was not allowed to be called "Her Royal Highness".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34402 |date=28 May 1937 |page=3429 }}</ref>

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Edward, commonly known by those close to him as David, was born as the first son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King George V and Queen Mary. As a young man, he disliked his royal duties, but his charisma made him popular with the British people. Edward was officially invested as Prince of Wales in a ceremony at Caernarvon Castle on 13 July 1911 and was even tutored by the future Prime Minister [[David Lloyd George]] to speak a few words of Welsh.

Edward, commonly known by those close to him as David, was born as the first son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King George V and Queen Mary. As a young man, he disliked his royal duties, but his charisma made him popular with the British people. Edward was officially invested as Prince of Wales in a ceremony at Caernarvon Castle on 13 July 1911 and was even tutored by the future Prime Minister [[David Lloyd George]] to speak a few words of Welsh.

That further weakened his poor relationship with his father, who stated, "After I am dead," George said, "the boy will ruin himself in 12 months". It took even less time for Edward to cause such a great damage in the royal family that it had not been seen for hundreds of years.

That further weakened his poor relationship with his father, who stated, "After I am dead," George said, "the boy will ruin himself in 12 months". It took even less time for Edward to cause such a great damage in the royal family that it had not been seen for hundreds of years.

== Reign ==

== Reign ==

After months of ill health, King George V died on 20 January 1936. His son became King Edward VIII and watched the announcement of his new role from a window of St James's Palace with his lover, Wallis. After only a few weeks, Edward began to cause unease in government circles with actions that were seen as too political. He did not work hard as king and was not careful about important state papers. Far from working, in August and September, Edward and Wallis simply sailed around the Mediterranean on a luxury steam yacht.

After months of ill health, King George V died on 20 January 1936. His son became King Edward VIII and watched the announcement of his new role from a window of St James's Palace with his lover, Wallis. After only a few weeks, Edward began to cause unease in government circles with actions that were seen as too political. He did not work hard as king and was not careful about important state papers. Far from working, in August and September, Edward and Wallis simply sailed around the Mediterranean on a luxury steam yacht.

As a result, he chose to abdicate in December of that year and married Wallis later in 1937. His brother, Prince Albert, Duke of York, became King George VI.

As a result, he chose to abdicate in December of that year and married Wallis later in 1937. His brother, Prince Albert, Duke of York, became King George VI.

== Duke of Windsor and later life ==

== Duke of Windsor and later life ==

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-17964, Ordensburg Krössinsee, Herzog von Windsor.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Edward reviewing a squad of [[SS]] with [[Robert Ley]], 1937]]

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-17964, Ordensburg Krössinsee, Herzog von Windsor.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Edward reviewing a squad of [[SS]] with [[Robert Ley]], 1937]]

After the war, the Duke and Duchess became celebrities and hosted parties and lived between Paris and New York. In the 1960s, the Duke's health became worse. Because he was a heavy smoker from an early age, he had throat cancer. On 28 May 1972, the Duke died at his home in Paris, less than a month before his 78th birthday. Wallis Simpson was not strong. She suffered from [[dementia]] and died 14 years later. The coffin was buried in the [[Royal Burial Ground]] behind the Royal Mausoleum of [[Queen Victoria]] and [[Prince Albert]] at [[Frogmore]].

After the war, the Duke and Duchess became celebrities and hosted parties and lived between Paris and New York. In the 1960s, the Duke's health became worse. Because he was a heavy smoker from an early age, he had throat cancer. On 28 May 1972, the Duke died at his home in Paris, less than a month before his 78th birthday. Wallis Simpson was not strong. She suffered from [[dementia]] and died 14 years later. The coffin was buried in the [[Royal Burial Ground]] behind the Royal Mausoleum of [[Queen Victoria]] and [[Prince Albert]] at [[Frogmore]].

 

== Titles and styles ==

==Titles and styles==

* 23 June 1894&nbsp;– 28 May 1898: ''His Highness'' Prince Edward of York..

* 23 June 1894&nbsp;– 28 May 1898: ''His Highness'' Prince Edward of York..

* 28 May 1898&nbsp;– 22 January 1901: ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Edward of York<ref>[http://www.heraldica.org/topics/britain/prince_highness_docs.htm#1898 Letters Patent, 28 May 1898]</ref>

* 28 May 1898&nbsp;– 22 January 1901: ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Edward of York<ref>[http://www.heraldica.org/topics/britain/prince_highness_docs.htm#1898 Letters Patent, 28 May 1898]</ref>

His full style as king was "His Majesty, Edward the Eighth, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India".

His full style as king was "His Majesty, Edward the Eighth, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India".

==References==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

{{wikiquote|Edward VIII of the United Kingdom}}

{{wikiquote|Edward VIII of the United Kingdom}}

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