Edward VIII in pictures: The Queen's uncle to mark the anniversary of his birthday
QUEEN Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII would have celebrated his 123rd birthday today if he were still alive. Here are the best photographs of the controversial monarch who rejected the throne in the name of love.
Kind Edward VIII will go down in history as one of the most controversial monarchs who almost triggered a constitutional crisis over a woman.
Over a century after his birth, Edward’s life remains a fascinating window into the machinations behind the closed doors of the royal family.
On the day of his birthday, here is a look at Queen Elizabeth’s uncle through some of his most memorable photographs.
Edward VIII as a child
Edward was born on June 23, 1894, during the reign of his great-grandmother Queen Victoria. He was the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of York – later King George V and Queen Mary of Teck.
He was baptised in the Green Room of White Lodge in London’s Richmond Park, by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself.
Known endearingly by his family as “Eddy”, he was named to honour his late uncle Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence and Avondale.
His childhood was marred by constant abuse from one of his nannies. It was customary in Victorian times for children to be brought up by nannies rather than parents.
But behind the closed doors of the royal family, Edward’s parents were affectionate towards him and his siblings.
I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love
Edward VIII as a prince
On July 13, 1911, Edward was officially invested as the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the throne. At the time of his birth he was the third in line to succeed.
Many biographers point out that he was a keen horseman who undertook polo at Oxford University, though he never graduated with a degree.
On the outbreak of World War One, Prince Edward was old enough to serve in the military and seemed keen to participate in the conflict.
Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener however never allowed for the heir apparent to serve on the frontlines, in case he was captured or killed by the enemies. Despite this he still managed to visit the trench lines on multiple occasions.
Prince Edward thrived in the war and was popular with his fellow soldiers. In 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross for his services in the army.
The Queen wears fuchsia pink to Ascot Ladies Day
Edward as an uncle
On April 21, 1926, Edward’s younger brother Albert and his wife had their firstborn daughter Elizabeth. Then in August 1930 Edward’s second niece, Princess Margaret was born.
The Prince had a normal relationship with his nieces but years later when he abdicated from the throne to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson, that relationship was severely damaged.
He refused to attend the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, insisting he would rather watch the ceremony on a television set in Paris.
Edward also declined an invitation to the investment of Prince Charles in 1969, saying his great-nephew would not want his “aged great-uncle" there.
Edward VIII as a king
Upon the death of his father, King George V in 1936, Prince Edward ascended to the throne as King Edward VIII.
But his reign was short lived and less than a year after obtaining the crown, the King abdicated from the throne, passing the reins onto his brother Albert.
Edward caused furore in the political and royal circles of Britain when he expressed his wishes to marry Simpson.
The marriage would have caused a constitutional crisis since Wallis was a divorcee and the marriage would have been seen as immoral by the public.
1933 film shows Edward VIII teaching this Nazi salute to the Queen
The British cabinet with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin remained unshaken in its conviction that the King could nor marry a divorcee.
On the night of December 11, 1936, Edward relinquished his title of sovereign on a worldwide radio broadcast.
"I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love,” he famously said.
He lived out the rest of his life in exile.
Edward VIII as a husband
Edward was known throughout his early years as a scandalous womaniser and playboy. The young Prince often found himself in affairs with various women, in stark contrast to his brother Albert.
King George V once remarked: "I pray to God that my eldest son [Edward] will never marry and have children, and that nothing will come between Bertie and Lilibet and the throne."
But his laid-back ways with women changed when he met the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson.
The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in France on June 3, 1937, six months after the Prince abdicated from the throne.
King George VI forbade any member of the royal family from attending and the Church of England likewise refused to sanction the wedding.