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Edward VIII Timeline
(1894–1972 (reigned January 20, 1936 – December 11, 1936))Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire, and Emperor of India, from January 20, 1936 until his abdication on December 11, 1936. His reign is the shortest of any modern British monarch, ending when he chose to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, an act deemed unacceptable by the government and the Church of England. After abdicating, he was given the title Duke of Windsor. More Less
Early Life
Birth of Edward at White Lodge
Jun 23, 1894
Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David was born at 10:00 pm on 23 June 1894 at White Lodge, Richmond Park, on the outskirts of London, during the reign of his great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Image source: Edward VIII
Death of Queen Victoria
1901
When his parents travelled the British Empire for almost nine months following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, Edward and his siblings remained in Britain with their grandparents, Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII.
Entry to Royal Naval College, Osborne
1907
Edward took the examination for entry to the Royal Naval College, Osborne, and began there in 1907.
Becomes Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay
May 6, 1910
Edward automatically became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay on 6 May 1910 upon his father's accession to the throne as George V.
Image source: Duke of Cornwall
Created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester
Jun 23, 1910
He was created, by letters patent, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester a month later, on 23 June 1910, his 16th birthday.
Image source: Prince of Wales
Investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle
Jul 13, 1911
Edward was officially invested as Prince of Wales in a special ceremony at Caernarfon Castle on 13 July 1911.
Image source: Investiture of the prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Joins the Grenadier Guards
Jun 1914
When the First World War broke out in 1914, Edward had reached the minimum age for active service. He had joined the Grenadier Guards in June 1914, and although willing to serve on the front lines, Lord Kitchener refused to allow it, citing the harm if the heir apparent were captured.
Image source: Grenadier Guards
Awarded the Military Cross
1916
Edward visited frontline trenches several times during the First World War, for which he was awarded the Military Cross in 1916.
Image source: Military Cross
First military flight and pilot's licence
1918
Edward undertook his first military flight in 1918 and later gained a pilot's licence.
President of British Empire Exhibition committee
1919
In 1919, Edward agreed to serve as president of the organising committee for the proposed British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park, Middlesex.
Image source: British Empire Exhibition
Key Facts
- Edward VIII was born on June 23, 1894, in Richmond, Surrey, as the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary.
- He became king on January 20, 1936, following the death of his father, King George V.
- His proposed marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American woman who had been divorced twice, caused a constitutional crisis in Britain.
- Edward VIII abdicated on December 11, 1936, becoming the only British monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne since the monarchy's establishment, famously stating he could not carry the burden of kingship 'without the help and support of the woman I love.'
- After abdication, he was created Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson in France in June 1937; the couple lived largely abroad until his death in Paris on May 28, 1972.
Source
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