Royalty · Military · 1894–1972
Born: 23 June 1894 · Died: 28 May 1972 · Age at death: 77
Edward VIII died aged 77. He was born on 23 June 1894 and died on 28 May 1972.
British king who abdicated in 1936 after less than a year to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson
Did you know?He was the first British monarch to fly in an aeroplane, which he did while he was Prince of Wales.
Edward VIII gave up the throne for love. As Prince of Wales he was handsome, modern and enormously popular. He became king in January 1936. He wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, an American who had divorced once and was divorcing again. The government and the Church would not accept her as queen. In December 1936 he abdicated after less than a year. His brother became George VI. He became Duke of Windsor and married Wallis in France. His friendly visit to Nazi Germany in 1937 damaged his reputation.
Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), later known as the Duke of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 20 January 1936 until his abdication in December of the same year.
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Profile
British king, 1894–1972
Edward VIII was born at White Lodge, Richmond, on 23 June 1894.
He became king in January 1936.
He abdicated in December 1936.
He died in Paris on 28 May 1972, aged 77.
Career highlights
Did you know?He was never crowned, because he abdicated before his coronation.
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