Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)

Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)

by Fred Kormis
bronze medal, 1975, based on a work of 1936
3 7/8 in. (98 mm) diameter
Given by Fred Kormis, 1975
Primary Collection
NPG 5051

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  • Fred Kormis (1894-1986), Sculptor and medallist. Artist or producer of 1 portrait.

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This uniface medal is inscribed as Edward VIII, indicating a date between his accession and abdication, that is in the period, 20 January to 11 December 1936. It was not made from life but apparently with material and approval given by the Royal Mint. Many years later this example was presented to the Gallery by the medallist himself, who had it cast in 1975 by the Morris Singer foundry. Another example is in the British Museum.

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Current affairs

Following the death of his father George V, Edward succeeds to the throne as King Edward VIII, but chooses to abdicate in order to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward was the only monarch every to voluntarily relinquish the throne.

Art and science

The Spitfire, designed by Reginald Mitchell, has its maiden flight. The RAF and other allied forces used the plane extensively and to great effect during the Second World War.
Television broadcasting begins. Although the BBC had been transmitting television since 1930, regular service did not begin until 1936, when the 'BBC Television Service' (now BBC One) was broadcast from Alexandra Palace.

International

The Spanish Civil War begins. Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, and supported by Italian and German fascist governments, rebelled against the Second Spanish Republic. The conflict lasted until 1939, and anticipated many of the features of the Second World War: fighting between Communists and Fascists, the rise of nationalism and the use of terror tactics against civilians.

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