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.
Explore the portrait of King Edward VIII from all angles
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Hugh Cecil (Hugh Cecil Saunders)
sepia bromide print, 1936
NPG P136
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P259
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P260
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P264
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P265
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
On display in Room 27 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG P266
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P267
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P268
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P269
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P270
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P271
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P272
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P273
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P274
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 2 June 1937
NPG P275
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, June 1949
NPG P276
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, June 1949
NPG P277
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, June 1949
NPG P278
Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by Henri Cartier-Bresson
bromide print, 1951
NPG P729
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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