Why did King Edward VIII of the UK have to abdicate?

Question

I know he abdicated because he was marrying Wallis Simpson, a divorcee, but Prince Charles has done the same by marrying Camilla Parker-Bowles, a divorcee, yet he is still heir to the throne. Did he abdicate because Mrs Simpson was not of noble birth or was perhaps a Catholic?

Answer 1

The more one reads of the life of Wallis Simpson, the clearer it becomes that a lot of things about her life had to be kept under wraps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallis,_The_Duchess_of_Windsor (the part headed "Legacy" explains more). It is hard to separate fact from fantasy, but certainly there appear to have been a number of skeletons in that particular cupboard.



Her divorce was rushed through specially to allow her to marry the King. Prince Charles married a woman whose marriage had broken down some years previously. Moreover, there had been a huge swing in public mores in the decades which had passed by. Whereas in the 1930s divorced women were not allowed in court circles (the entourage of the monarch) and Princess Margaret twenty years later gave up her romance with a divorcee for religious reasons, by the time Prince Charles took his second wife several members of the royal family were divorced.

Answer 2

He had to abdicate because Wallis Simpson was a divorcee, and because she could have become queen. Camilla has already stated she will not be queen. She will a consort. Things are a lot different now. Also, there was a possibility Wallis Simpson could have produced an heir. Camilla is a) too old and b) recently neutered, (sorry...that was rude...she's had a hysterectomy) so there's no chance of that. Still, rumours of Wallis Simpson's infertility have never been fully answered.

Answer 3

Back in the 1930s when Edward VIII abdicated, the rules were very much stricter than they are today, especially concerning the marriage of the heir to the throne etc.



The recording below is what people were told of the King's abdication by the BBC - Alvar Lidell news reader : -



YouTube - Edward VIII abdication in 1936, Alvar Lidell, wireless

original recording of Alvar Lidell anouncing the abdication of the throne of our

King Edward for Walace Simpson played through a 1931 Philips 930c Wireless ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m33PzcqN_Js&feature=related



Winston Churchill was a supporter of the King and wanted very much for him to marry Wallace Simpson.



The problem is that the nation was divided. Indeed, it was said at the time that the House of Commons was divided into two halves - Roundheads and Cavaliers. Those who supported the king, the Cavaliers and those who opposed the king, the Roundheads.



What Winston wanted more than anything else was to cement a strong link between the throne of England and the USA. Remember that Winston's own mother was an American and that he was married to an American.



Winston was entirely pro-American. Cannot put it better than that. He was also, in my own personal oppinion, democratic beyond insanity and took serious risks not only with his own career but also that of his party.



Dunno what we'd have done without him, really.



WINSTON RIP

GOD SAVE THE KING



This next video is what I remember most, as I was not born until 1941.



YouTube - The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Join YouTube for a free account, or log in if you are already a member. ...

occasion when Parry's anthem 'I was glad' includes the chant of 'vivat regina'. ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGLN1kREJ2Q

Answer 4

Firstly Divorce was a serious subject to any of the Elite and well off right up until the 60's and had a great stigma attached to it, secondly the Catholic problem, although people where more acceptable of Catholics, to have one on the Throne even as Consort was unthinkable, the final thing was an American!!!! Unheard of and unthinkable to most of the people that counted.

Answer 5

Opinion was then, and should still be now, that the wife of the king should be above reproach.

That couldnt be said of Wallace Simpson, and cant be said of Camilla Parker Bowles. And dont be fooled by that " she wont be Queen" rubbish. When the time comes, he will push for it

Answer 6

He abdicated because he wanted to marry a divorced woman.



The English monarch is Defender of the Faith, The Faith being the Church of England which does not advocate divorce. The same still applies today.

Answer 7

Mrs Simpson was divorced twice, and both her previous husbands were still alive, this was frowned upon by the English. He abdicated b'cos they wudnt let them marry if she was to become 'queen' altho they cud have a morganatic marriage where she wud become his legal wife.

Answer 8

Things have changed since then!

Answer 9

he was catholic, and his wife had a male heir. then in come william and mary of orange. all is well, dum dum dum...