Edward VIII gave up the British throne for the love of woman. After considering his options, the King was forced to choose abdication and giving the throne to his brother Prince Albert, the Duke of York.It is possibly the biggest constitutional crisis to face the British Empire in the modern era.
He signed the instruments of abdication yesterday in front of his three surviving brothers: the aforementioned Prince Albert, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Prince George, Duke of Kent. The fourth and youngest of the Princes was John who died in 1919.
From this he has one last act to complete before his reign is over and he is allowed to follow his heart.
Though the commonwealth nations of British Empire rejected his request to marry the American divorcée Mrs. Wallis Simpson in the event her divorce is finalized, it has managed to grab the attention of romantics worldwide. Many in the United States have voiced opposition to the need for King Edward to step down.
King Edward VIII is expected to address the British people at some point on December 11th (later today).
