page_title: Abdication of Edward VIII
hierarchical_section_title: Abdication of Edward VIII
caption_attribution_description: English: Statement of Abdication Français&#160;: Acte d'abdication d'Edouard VIII. Texte: Acte d'abdication. Moi, Edouard le Huitième, de Grande Bretagne, Irlande, et des Dominions Britanniques par delà les Mers, Roi, Empereur de l'Inde, déclare par le présent Ma détermination irrévocable de renoncer au Trône pour Moi-même et pour Mes descendants, et Mon désir que cet acte d'abdication prenne effet immédiatement. En foi de quoi j'ai apposé Ma signature ce dixième jour de Décembre, mil neuf cent et trente six, en la présence des témoins dont les signatures figurent ci-dessous. (signature) Edward R.I. SIGNÉ À FORT BELVEDERE EN LA PRÉSENCE DE (signature) Albert (signature) Henry (signature) George.
context_page_description: In 1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire arose when King-Emperor Edward VIII proposed to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who was divorced from her first husband and was pursuing the divorce of her second.
  The marriage was opposed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth. Religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised. As the British monarch, Edward was the nominal head of the Church of England, which did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive. For this reason, it was widely believed that Edward could not marry Simpson and remain on the throne. Simpson was perceived to be politically and socially unsuitable as a prospective queen consort because of her two failed marriages. It was widely assumed by the Establishment that she was driven by love of money or position rather than love for the King. Despite the opposition, Edward declared that he loved Simpson and intended to marry her as soon as her second divorce was finalised.
context_section_description: In 1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire arose when King-Emperor Edward VIII proposed to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who was divorced from her first husband and was pursuing the divorce of her second.
  The marriage was opposed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth. Religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised. As the British monarch, Edward was the nominal head of the Church of England, which did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive. For this reason, it was widely believed that Edward could not marry Simpson and remain on the throne. Simpson was perceived to be politically and socially unsuitable as a prospective queen consort because of her two failed marriages. It was widely assumed by the Establishment that she was driven by love of money or position rather than love for the King. Despite the opposition, Edward declared that he loved Simpson and intended to marry her as soon as her second divorce was finalised.
  The widespread unwillingness to accept Simpson as the King's consort and Edward's refusal to give her up led to his abdication in December 1936. He was succeeded by his brother Albert, who became George VI. Edward was given the title of Duke of Windsor, and styled Royal Highness, following his abdication, and he married Simpson the following year. They remained married until his death 35 years later.
caption: Instrument of abdication signed by Edward VIII and his three brothers, Albert, Henry and George, 10 December 1936
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