# Edward VIII

> King of the United Kingdom in 1936

**Wikidata**: [Q590227](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q590227)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VIII)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edward-viii

## Summary

Edward VIII was born on June 23, 1894 at White Lodge[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and died on May 28, 1972 in Neuilly-sur-Seine from laryngeal cancer[1][2][3][4][5][6][13][7][8][10][11]. He was buried at the Royal Burial Ground[12]. He was the child of George V[12][14] and Mary of Teck[12][14], and his siblings included George VI, Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Prince John of the United Kingdom[14]. He married Wallis Simpson in 1937, a union that lasted until 1972[12][14]. A member of the Church of England, he received his education at Magdalen College, Britannia Royal Naval College, and Royal Naval College, Osborne.He held the position of monarch of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India, monarch of Canada, and monarch of the Union of South Africa, serving in all these roles exclusively during the year 1936. During his life, he received the Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Military Cross, Order of St. Olav, Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Croix de guerre 1914–1918, and Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, alongside two additional awards[15].

## Summary
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India in 1936. He is best known for his controversial abdication from the throne due to his desire to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, which was widely opposed by the British public and the Church of England.

## Biography
- Born: June 23, 1894, in London, United Kingdom
- Nationality: British
- Education: Attended Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and the Britannia Royal Naval College
- Known for: His abdication from the British throne in 1936
- Employer(s): None (reigned as monarch)
- Field(s): Royalty, military service

## Contributions
Edward VIII served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during World War I and later as a captain in the Royal Naval Reserve. He was also a member of the Royal Society and held various military decorations, including the Military Cross and the Order of St. Olav. His abdication marked a significant moment in British constitutional history, leading to the establishment of the modern monarchy's role in the modern era.

## FAQs
**What was Edward VIII's primary role as king?**
Edward VIII served as King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India from January 20, 1936, until his abdication on December 11, 1936. His reign was marked by his controversial decision to marry Wallis Simpson, which led to his forced resignation.

**Why did Edward VIII abdicate?**
Edward VIII abdicated due to public opposition to his proposed marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. The British public and the Church of England strongly opposed the union, leading to his resignation as king.

**What military service did Edward VIII provide?**
Edward VIII served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during World War I and later as a captain in the Royal Naval Reserve. He also held various military decorations, including the Military Cross and the Order of St. Olav.

**What was Edward VIII's education background?**
Edward VIII attended Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and the Britannia Royal Naval College. His education included military training and academic studies.

**What awards did Edward VIII receive?**
Edward VIII received several awards, including the Military Cross, the Order of St. Olav, the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, and the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. He also held honorary doctorates and other distinctions.

## Why They Matter
Edward VIII's abdication had a profound impact on British constitutional history, establishing a precedent for the modern monarchy's role in the modern era. His decision to marry Wallis Simpson, despite public opposition, highlighted the political and social pressures on the monarchy. His reign was brief but significant, marking a turning point in the relationship between the British monarchy and the public.

## Notable For
- Abdicated from the British throne in 1936 due to his proposed marriage to Wallis Simpson
- Served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during World War I
- Received the Military Cross and the Order of St. Olav for his military service
- Attended Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and the Britannia Royal Naval College
- Held various military decorations and honorary titles

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David was born on June 23, 1894, in London, United Kingdom. He was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. Edward was educated at Magdalen College, University of Oxford, and the Britannia Royal Naval College, where he received military training.

### Military Service
Edward VIII served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during World War I and later as a captain in the Royal Naval Reserve. He held various military decorations, including the Military Cross and the Order of St. Olav. His military service included participation in major conflicts, including World War I and World War II.

### Royalty and Abdication
Edward VIII ascended to the throne on January 20, 1936, following the death of his father, King George V. His reign was marked by his controversial decision to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. Public opposition to the union led to his abdication on December 11, 1936, making way for his brother, Albert, who became King George VI.

### Awards and Honors
Edward VIII received several awards and honors, including the Military Cross, the Order of St. Olav, the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, and the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. He also held honorary doctorates and other distinctions, reflecting his military and academic achievements.

### Legacy
Edward VIII's abdication had a lasting impact on British constitutional history, establishing a precedent for the modern monarchy's role in the modern era. His brief reign marked a significant moment in the relationship between the British monarchy and the public, highlighting the political and social pressures on the monarchy.

## References

1. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2. [death certificate](https://archives.paris.fr/arkotheque/visionneuse/visionneuse.php?arko=YTo2OntzOjQ6ImRhdGUiO3M6MTA6IjIwMjQtMDYtMTkiO3M6MTA6InR5cGVfZm9uZHMiO3M6MTE6ImFya29fc2VyaWVsIjtzOjQ6InJlZjEiO2k6NDtzOjQ6InJlZjIiO2k6Mjc0NTY3O3M6MTY6InZpc2lvbm5ldXNlX2h0bWwiO2I6MTtzOjIxOiJ2aXNpb25uZXVzZV9odG1sX21vZGUiO3M6NDoicHJvZCI7fQ==#uielem_move=-1167%2C-1017&uielem_islocked=0&uielem_zoom=144&uielem_brightness=0&uielem_contrast=0&uielem_isinverted=0&uielem_rotate=F)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Source
5. [Source](http://hemerotecadigital.bne.es/issue.vm?id=0001067117&search=&lang=es)
6. [Source](https://www.thersa.org/about/albert-medal/past-winners)
7. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154)
8. Plarr's Lives of the Fellows
9. [Source](https://runeberg.org/statskal/1940bih/0007.html)
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. MusicBrainz
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Find a Grave
15. Babelio
16. The Peerage
17. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
18. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
19. Proleksis Encyclopedia
20. Croatian Encyclopedia
21. Munzinger Personen
22. TracesOfWar
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. CONOR.SI
25. BBC Things
26. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
27. LIBRIS. 2012
28. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Edward-VIII;3896568.html)
29. KBpedia
30. HMML Authority File
31. Catalogo of the National Library of India