When Edward VIII put his signature on an instrument of abdication on December 10, 1936, he did so for love—choosing to give up the British throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. The decision plunged the British empire into a full-blown constitutional crisis.

Wallis Simpson's Background

Born Bessie Wallis Warfield on June 19, 1896, Wallis lost her father not long after coming into the world. She and her mother relied on the financial support of their somewhat wealthy relatives to get by.

Her first marriage was to Earl Winfield in April 1916. Win served in the US Navy, which meant the couple spent a good amount of time apart. He was also a notorious drinker—known for consuming alcohol before flying and even crashing his plane into the sea on one occasion, though he survived.

Rumors of Wallis's infidelity swirled throughout the marriage. One particularly colorful trip to China reportedly included an affair with Count Galeazzo Ciano, who would later become Mussolini's son-in-law and Foreign Minister. The alleged affair was said to result in a pregnancy, botched abortion, and Wallis's infertility. All claims were denied, however, so the truth remains uncertain. Regardless, the couple divorced in 1927.

Not long after her divorce, Wallis began dating Ernest Aldrich Simpson, an American shipping executive who was already married at the time. Simpson left his wife for Wallis, and the two tied the knot on July 21, 1928. It was while married to Ernest that Wallis first crossed paths with Edward VIII, who was then Prince of Wales.

Wallis Simpson & Edward VIII

Despite Edward VIII's involvement with other mistresses, the two became entangled in an affair almost immediately. As the courtship continued, Edward's relationship with his parents grew increasingly strained due to their disapproval.

The death of King George on January 20, 1936, put Edward VIII in line to assume the throne. But his ongoing relationship with Wallis—who was still married—sparked outrage across the country. On moral and social grounds, British rule could not accept the union, as Simpson had been married and divorced twice, rendering her unfit to serve as queen.

The Abdication

A pivotal meeting took place in November 1936 between King Edward VIII and Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin to address the controversial relationship. Edward made clear his intention to marry Simpson, but Baldwin informed him that such a marriage would be unacceptable to both the Church of England and the people. Three options were laid before the king: end things with Simpson, marry her in defiance of his Prime Minister's official wishes, or abdicate.

Recognizing that defying Baldwin would throw the government into havoc, Edward chose abdication.

On December 11, 1936, his title was returned to that of a prince.

Edward VIII Married Wallis Simpson

Just one month after Wallis's second divorce was finalized, the couple wed on June 3, 1937. Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson remained together for 35 years, until Edward VIII's death.