Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
3 of 3 portraits by Laura Knight
Art Fund Popular Portraits Collection. Photo: © National Portrait Gallery, London
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
designed by Dame Laura Knight, manufactured by Burgess & Leigh Limited (Burleigh)
printed and painted earthenware, 1936
3 1/8 in. x 4 3/8 in. (80 mm x 112 mm) overall
Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2018
Reference Collection
NPG D48190
On display in Room 13 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sitterback to top
- Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII) (1894-1972), Reigned 1936. Sitter in 437 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Burgess & Leigh Limited (Burleigh), Pottery Manufacturer. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait.
- Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits, Sitter in 34 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The production of royal portraits for the popular market has often centred on important events such as coronations and weddings. This mug, designed by artist Laura Knight, commemorates a constitutional event that never happened: in 1936 Edward VIII abdicated the throne in favour of his brother, who went on to reign as George VI. Instead of the traditional symbols for British royalty (a lion and unicorn), Edward is flanked by St George and the Dragon on the left, and a circus elephant on the right, probably inspired by the artist's depictions of English circuses in the 1920s and early 1930s. Knight went on to design a new mug to commemorate George's coronation using the same imagery. Explore this portrait from all angles.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1936back to top
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.Comments back to top
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