Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
(1894-1972), Reigned 1936Sitter in 437 portraits
Eldest son of George V and Queen Mary. Prince Edward was commissioned into the Guards in 1914, but as heir to the throne his request for active service was denied. He spent the war abroad, visiting troops. During the 1920s and 1930s, his concern for unemployment and successful tours throughout the Empire made him a popular figure. He was King Edward VIII from January to December 1936, but abdicated following insoluble constitutional problems raised by his proposed marriage to the American socialite and divorcée, Wallis Simpson. They married in June 1937 and lived abroad, mainly in France. He was Governor of the Bahamas from 1940 to 1945.
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Related People
- Queen Alexandra (grandmother)
- Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy (niece)
- King Edward VII (grandfather)
- Queen Elizabeth II (niece)
- King George V (father)
- King George VI (brother)
- Prince George, Duke of Kent (brother)
- George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood (nephew)
- Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (brother)
- Prince John (brother)
- Prince Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick, Duke of Kent (nephew)
- Princess Margaret (niece)
- Queen Mary (mother)
- Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood (sister)
- Prince Michael of Kent (nephew)
- Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (nephew)
- Queen Victoria (grandmother)
- Prince William of Gloucester (nephew)
- Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (wife)
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