Evening star., 1936-10-18

night to the possibility that King
Edward. decided individualist that ne
has proved himself to be, might dis
card royal convention and marry d
divorced commoner.
There would be no actual law TO
prevent the King from marrying any
one save a Roman Catholic. 1t was
pointed out, although the sentiment
of his subjects at present is strongly
in favor of a bride of royal or noble
lineage.
Under Englands royal marriage act
of l772 a commoner bride Of the King
of England could not take his rank,
nor could children Of the union in
herit the throne or royal property.
Whatever these regulations. friends
of the monarch felt he would not be
bothered by them should he wish to
marry Mrs. Simpson.
But, they felt, he might be in
fluenced by the wishes OF his sub
jects.
Those who know the strong-willed
Edward were agreed only on one as
pect of his friendship with Mrs. Simp-
son-they believed that If he wished
to marry her he would 60 through
with it regardless Of what ties 1t
might sever, even including his own
position in the empire.
5000, 900 Awaits Bride.
The divorce suit brought by Mrs.
Ernest Simpson against her husband,
and King Edwards esteem for the
smart and witty woman from Balti-
more today recalled that the monarch
has had provision made for wife.
A pay check of $4,000 a year
(s2O0 O00) awaits the bride OF the
sandy-haired and dapper British ruler,
long called "the worlds most eligible
bachelor" should he marry.
When he was the Prince Of Wales
the question echoed unanswered
around the world: Who will the
prince marry?"
BY the time he crossed the thresh-
old into middle age, and the unof-
flcial title of prince Charming" was
heard less and less, the question be-
came: will the prince marry?"
To the British peoples the mar
riage Of the then heir apparent to the
throne meant two things:
/. The possibility Of child to
follow him in the succession to the
throne.
2. The example to the nation and
to the empire, when Edward himself
became ruler, Of domestic life such
as strengthened the influence and
stability of the crown during the
reign of the late George v.
Self-willed as prince, Edward
came to the throne unmarried to
usher in q ecedent-breaking reign.
Speculation that he may marry Mrs.
Simpson, If she succeeds in obtain
ing her divorce, even II it should cost
him his throne, finds no basis in his
public declarations Of his attitude
toward kingship.
Indicated He Would Rule.
Schooled for the crown and trained
by travel and work as no British ruler
before him, he always has indicated
publicly that he would rule.
On March !, less than two months
after his fathers death, he assured
his empire in his first radio message
to it that his constant effort will be
to continue to promote the well-being"
of his fellow men.
Speaking of his father and his
reign, he said: 1T now falls upon
me to succeed him and to carry on
his work."
But he has insisted that monarch
though he is, he is also an individual
and he has claimed the right to
live as he wants on his Town time"
"I work IL hours a day-and I
mean to work." he once said. THE
other IL hours are my own"
Just when the British peoples had
become reconciled to bachelor ruler,
the King revived speculation on the
possibility of his marriage7since
famed to white heat by his attach
ment for Mrs. Simpson.
Foresaw Chance of Marriage.
He foresaw the chance of being
married in a message to the House
of Commons pointing out the neces-