1936: The Abdication (2024) | Full Documentary | Prince Edward

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Born in 1894 as the oldest son of George, Duke of York, Edward became heir to the throne when his father was crowned King George V in May 1910 and was formally invested as Prince of Wales the following summer.

As feared by royal aides, Edward showed little interest in any sort of day-to-day governorship. He was mainly preoccupied with marrying Wallis Simpson, and from her husband, at least, there was no pushback, as the businessman agreed to let the King have his way.

After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII became the first British monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne.

He made this choice after the British government and the Church of England condemned his decision to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

On the evening of December 11th, 1936, Edward gave a radio address to the public, in which he explained his reasoning for leaving behind the throne. The broadcast was expected but still shocking.

[louiseowusu]

This is a fascinating but sad story. How hard it must have been for both brothers in different ways. It would also be interesting to hear about the other siblings and how this situation affected them.

[Farmer-bhcg]

I'm given to understand George said of his son "The boy will ruin himself within a year." If a true statement, George was certainly correct

[Shelly-mzyf]

Footage is incredibly important and awesome love this😀

[purple]

The British Monarch does not rule, he-she reigns.

[clbajones]

This is an excellent historical documentary. Thank you ❤.

[GodisMyNo]

Please post a documentary about the great but underrated King George V, the queen's grandfather

[Shelly-mzyf]

Thank you so much for this history walk through time 😀

[kimhughes]

I don’t think Wallis actually wanted to marry Edward. She liked the cache of being the kings mistress- but I think he backed her into a corner she couldn’t get out of. They deserved one another; in the end I’m not convinced they were at all happy with one another- just stuck- which they also deserved after what they put their families and the country through. The only good thing to come out of it was the abdication; Edward had no business being king. His own father predicted his downfall before he died.

[JohnLandau-rggh]

His relationship with his father was more complex than this sketch suggests. When George died V, Edward was one of the family members gathered around his bedside. He collapsed completely in tears, and fell into the arms of his mother Queen Mary. She seemed shocked and uncomfortable with his behavior, which was quite unexpected. After his father;s death, he freqently complained to his friends that his father's death was still a terible blow to him, because George was the only person he could rely on to give him truly honest advice.

[Sadie]

He was an immature spoiled brat that wanted to marry his mother. She wanted all the glitz, but none of the work or responsibility. They deserved each other. The Empire dodged a bullet when he abdicated. He was a Nazi sympathizer and weak. God Bless King George VI. He carried a country through to victory and did it as a man, not a mouse.

[johnkeller]

The two were made for each other. Felt sorry for Mr Ernest Simpson he was the one who was put through the wringer over the situation.

[arielsclamshellbra]

Wallis resented him so much and he resented her also and i dont think they were ever happy, but they knew the humiliation of breaking up and divorcing after he gave up the throne to marry would be too horrible to go thru. They had a sad empty life.

[mrwindsor]

Wallis Simpson did not love Edward VIII. In fact she was appalled that he abdicated in order to marry her. Wallis resented being obliged to marry Edward after this. So much so that she took a lover later on during their marriage. Theirs' was not a fairy tale love story. In fact it amounted to a tragedy. At least from Wallis Simpson's POV.

[JeniPugh]

I might be able to be happy with documentary took forever to find awesome thanks 💯😎💯.

[gabriellechung]

The British people should be thankful for Edward and Wallis. Were it not for them, Elizabeth would not have been Queen.

[James-rcgr]

I believe Wallace was HIS scapegoat. To get away from the 'Establishment'.
If he had remained King, the monarchy would not exist today.

[janetwilcock]

Edward was thoroughly unsuited to be King. After his Succession he thought he could carry on his previous life of drinking and partying. He was a security risk, leaving state papers on his desk and his staff were right to be concerned about passing secret state papers on to him. His brother wasn’t born to be King but King George VI proved to be far more suited to the role than Edward. Edward was given an official role attached to the military during WW2 and during the evacuation from France he deserted his post and fled to Spain with Wallis. He had continued to have Nazi associations and was a huge security risk. Even when they were sent to the Bahamas where Edward became Governor General he was caught up in various scandals and including some very questionable financial dealings. It was hardly surprising that after the war he wasn’t trusted with any official role.
They were not married by a “Royal Chaplain” but rather an ordinary Church of England Vicar who defied the church to perform the ceremony in France.

[RMSTitanicWSL]

Not sure the "Unholy Trinity" of Palace, Parliament, and Church were wrong. King George VI was simply an excellent monarch with a finely honed sense of responsibility. King Edward VIII? Not so much. Maybe he'd have turned out differently, but I doubt it.

[christinewells-leddon]

Thank you for an excellent, well-balanced documentary. Unfortunately, I think this was a case of "be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!"

[samkohen]

There is a great series from PBS The King and Mrs Simpson available on Youtube which is very detailed from beginning to end