King Edward VIII's Abdication Speech 1936

While he was still Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII began a relationship with a married American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. He inherited the throne from George V at the beginning of 1936 and in due course let it be known to his ministers that he was determined to marry Wallis and make her his Queen. The British government and church were totally opposed to the idea of a twice divorced American woman on the throne of England (she divorced Mr Simpson towards the end of 1936) but Edward was adamant that she should become his wife. Rather than cause a consitutional crisis, he took the course of abdication and made a speech to the nation (11 December 1936) before going into exile. He became HRH The Duke of Windsor and the couple were married in June 1937, though the title "Her Royal Highness" was withheld from Wallis who became known simply as the Duchess of Windsor. The Duke died in 1972 aged 77 and the Duchess died in 1986 aged 89.

[@alexisdetocqueville9964]

What this showed me more than anything is how the actor who played him in the crown absolutely NAILED his accent. It's uncanny.

[@CosmicTeapot]

Agreed, and the one in The King's Speech also did a really good job, the way he delivered "I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge my duties as King, as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.'' was nearly identical

[@ungkuzeti7261]

even the voice is similar it's amazingg

[@curiouslyme524]

@@ungkuzeti7261 Very true. I just finished watching The Crown. The similarly in voice quality & manner of speaking is uncanny.

[@cameronjefferson1928]

WOW, That is uncanny

[@blakedanielle2000]

I know! That's the first thing I noticed as well

[@CazHbokbok]

The Crown did cast the guy playing King Edward really well. He both looks and sounds like him!

[@bitchfacehopkins9094]

The casting in The Crown is brilliant ! I think it’s a great programme but far too many people are thinking it’s all factual when it’s actually a drama🤦🏼‍♀️.

[@hk-nm8ox]

@@bitchfacehopkins9094 it is based on real experiences that happened so it has some truth in it

[@AlexandraAndStuff]

the fact that we are able to just hear it and revisit such historic moments through technology blows my mind, I don't think we appreciate how amazing and NEW the internet is

[@aexetan2769]

Many take it for granted. Especially young people. We are not only reliant on technology, but we feel entitled to it. Technological innovations that make our lives easier are seen as a birthright.

[@briancrawford8751]

You would have been able to find it on a shellac platter, vinyl record, or a reel to reel tape back in the '50s in a university library, most likely.

[@lizdoyle7158]

He did the right thing and history shows us his brother was a great king

[@Farmer-bh3cg]

"The boy will ruin himself within a year." George V

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

For anyone wondering why this speech is quite well written and on tone with preceding events, it was revised and edited by Winston Churchill.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

Bill Fence The Duke of Windsor? Well, consider that news to me, and oddly out of character for the House of Windsor. Why would Edward denigrate a man, let alone an man who supported him during the Abdication Crisis, and then let him revise his abdication speech?

[@elrjames7799]

@@Edmonton-of2ec Yeah: probably just a silly assertion with zero evidence.

[@flamenkito247]

Wasn’t wondering that.

[@mrsbluesky8415]

Churchill knew he was bad news. Edward liked his German roots too much.

[@aiames]

​@mrsbluesky8415 Churchill actually got into a lot of trouble for his support of Edward. He got so much egg on his face that he had problems putting his fight-the-Germans message across over the next two years.

[@jorgealmeyda5222]

1936… the year of the three kings of the British Empire

[@ley_brab]

2022 … the year of the three prime ministers of the United Kingdom 😂

[@LGranthamsHeir]

@@ley_brab 2022 is also the year of the two sovereigns of the United Kingdom 😉

[@Ltasty]

@@ley_brab yet we're told we live in a democracy

[@charliecili]

Who’s here because they are just interested in history?

[@ramram-db5xk]

Me!

[@Fummy007]

Exactly. I hate this mixing of history with entertainment shows.

[@My_eyes_hurt]

@@Fummy007 I like it if they do it accurately. Hate it when they make up drama. If life has taught us anything it is that life is more dramatic, insane, scary adventurous, hilarious and entertaining than what is made up in films.

[@MissBeth1278]

I was researching this waaaay before The Crown!

[@weltonvillegal6258]

Yep!

[@user-fz4vd3ne8m]

I'm a very nostalgic person, so i cannot express how incredible and unimaginable is to be hearing a king speech from 1936 in these days, it's like a time machine to me. This audios, images and videos are pure gold!

[@haotianqian]

I KNOW THAT FEELS

[@slendagullyandfriends4530]

How refreshing to hear a speech with perfect grammar.

[@wolfgangamadeusmozart8772]

And in full sentences.

[@jerrywood8268]

I had a Grammar, she was my mums mother

[@shadetreader]

Personally I'd prefer a world without fascists over one with "perfect grammar".

[@kanield65]

Here is the speech : At -- At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. You all know the reasons which have -- have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales, and lately as King, I have for 25 years tried to serve. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course. I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me -- a happy home with his wife and children. During these hard days I have been comforted by her majesty my mother and by my family. The ministers of the crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, and between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to his majesty in a private station, I shall not fail. And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all. God save the King !

[@jonnyirvine8716]

Yea thanks for this as I’m deaf and couldn’t hear it for myself 👍

[@i_am_na_na_]

Thank you so much, since english is not my 1st language, you help a lot

[@kunmwas9437]

Thank you, you're life saver

[@everyvidchannel]

Thanks! I need this speech for my school project 👍🏻

[@bastianray6334]

@@jonnyirvine8716 Not everybody who listen to it is an English native speaker so they might miss or can't understand all the words .

[@Beatles0223]

0:12 Edward knocking his foot against the table leg as he shifted position. (not a door slamming)

[@beckyr.4708]

Imagine the shock the people had when they first heard the speech

[@rcpmusic425]

The actor from the crown sound exactly like him tho...wow 👏❤

[@amadandearbhte4318]

The actor from the King's Speech really nailed this, especially the 'as I would wish to do' bit. The Crown was very good too and the actor looks very like him

[@benphilips7235]

the TV series in 1978 with Edward Fox was even better

[@jamesashmore503]

The issue with Mrs Simpson was only one cause of his abdication. His obvious sympathy with Nazi Germany and his actions prior to and even after the outbreak of the Second World War were however the most dammning of all.

[@SANTI-fx6pm]

even his wife looks so much alike with the one who portrayed her in the crown....amazing casting right there

[@metalheadlass9868]

“I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.” So powerfully moving ❤️

[@troysarino661]

Was moved by that speech, but right after knowing the Marburg Files I regretted I shed a tears.

[@metalheadlass9868]

@@troysarino661 I think he was blinded by the fact that they had promised him kingship with recognition of his wife as queen. The only thing he ever wanted. He made a huge inexcusable mistake but yet the speech is elegant.

[@troysarino661]

@@metalheadlass9868 Thought so too. I also admire his genuine love for his wife. Love over duty.

[@rodentswithlove7686]

It's astonishing but it isnt a powerful love tbh

[@terrihenricks4160]

His friend Winston Churchill helped him write the speech. Because of it, he is remembered as the man who gave up the throne for the women he loved.

[@PetrolHeadBrasil]

Friend of anyone ?! He had a great relationship with His Majesty, King George VI!

[@madhunk7109]

Guess what? Every speech any of the so called royal give, is written by some one else.

[@takakocaesar579]

@@madhunk7109 this wasn't just written by a somebody, it was written by Winston Churchill who was one of the best orator and speechwriter in british history

[@footofjuniper8212]

I'm watching The King's Speech and had to compare this to Guy Pearce's rendition. Wow, he really nailed it!

[@adam28xx]

Guy undoubtedly listened to this recording a few times, so as to get the impersonation right!

[@golden-63]

The King's Speech was about George VI, not Edward VIII.

[@StevenTorrey]

@@golden-63 In some sense it was about both... And it is George VI, NOT George VII.....!

[@golden-63]

@@StevenTorrey Haha, yes. George VII doesn't exist yet.

[@H.M.KingGeorge]

4:30 : by HER.... ehmehmehm.... MY family!

[@wattbenj]

Literally 87 years later he never would have had to do this. History moves fast.

[@goncalocardoso8050]

Would have done exactly the same. Official reason would have changed though.

[@cybercity1984]

Thank You so much for uploading .

[@Alvin_Vivian]

"To give up all this for that." -- Queen Mary of Teck, Edward VIII's mother

[@lucasdeabrielle7375]

Ikr that was a sad part 😢

[@dianabeurman364]

I don't blame het

[@johnwilliams5466]

She was right he gave up the crown something he was born to do it’s not a choice or something you choose

[@kevinlongman007]

@@johnwilliams5466 But just because it was his birth right does not mean he should be forced to do it.

[@rodentswithlove7686]

People may admire what he did but it was actually sad. His life actually a good one to example in our counselling in psychology class.

[@chloehall4270]

“As “I” would wish…” tells the entire story. He couldn’t be King and still do it the way he wanted. The monarchy dodged a bullet when he abdicated.

[@lesleymaner2851]

Sometimes I believe things happen for a reason. Simpson was the best thing that happened to Great Britain because she got king Edward out of the way. I can’t imagine him king during ww2.

[@Manx123]

Much better audio than the other versions available online.

[@ivanlussich8146]

Aside from political considerations, this speech is quite a moving piece. Also, the pictures clearly show the former king's disturbed state of mind --you don't abdicate everyday. Greetings from Uruguay.

[@DeMello96]

I think you're right. Greetings from Rio-Grande do Sul.

[@sealife22]

A huge respect to this king. He rules with his heart and really stuck to his bow to his wife.

[@justcomments1239]

He met with Hitler and colluded with the Nazis, who promised to re-crown him if they took over. He also told the Nazis that the British had got hold of their plans to invade France, which allowed them to alter their plans and occupy, leading to what could have been absolute slaughter in Dunkirk.

[@lXlQueenofScots]

Nothing worse than a romantic Nazi....

[@markharrison2544]

The British should never have invaded France in the first place.

[@miriamhavard7621]

💕

[@MrBulky992]

@@markharrison2544 'Invaded' France? British troops were there by invitation of the legitimate French government. I think you will find it was the Germans who invaded France.

[@slaterk7164]

I love this speech in the opening of season 1 episode 3 I was hooked from the start when I started watching the crown

[@abhishekmukherjee4857]

What an amazing speech, this literally changed history as we know it

[@Cton88]

I liked how Guy Pearce portrayed him in The King’s Speech

[@katherinea.williams3044]

You could really see (feel, I mean) Wallis holding the whip! Love & Light from Miami Shores🦚✌🏼 Stay safe mate🌎🙏🏼

[@m_5373]

2:01..., Thanks for the upload!

[@maxwellfan55]

Hearing the whole speech, which we rarely do, puts things much more in perspective. If he considered he was unable to fulfil such an important office to meet his own standards, he clearly did the only thing possible. It appears to be a constitutional issue over marriage, otherwise he would have continued as King, but it might have been something else equally important, or number of things. By standing down he is declaring that the country (and Empire) should come first, and that he had complete confidence in his successor. Remember too, this was a man who had served in the armed forces during WW1and was immensely popular among all classes up to this point, with exception of some politicians whom he'd regarded as inadequate during the depression. A brave and remarkable decision which probably turned out to be the wisest and only one.

[@avian8338]

Finally! For the first time among so much bile and resentment spouted by people who were not even born at the time when, briefly, Edward VIII was king, I find a clear voice of reason - and compassionate understanding.

[@FactBuffet]

Edward VIII never delivered a Christmas Broadcast. He abdicated before his first Christmas as King!

[@callicordova4066]

What pressure is put upon royals simply for being born. Their lives are not their own.

[@deepasrivastava863]

"My friend, with thee to live alone,methinks were better than to own a crown, a sceptre and a throne."

[@elizabethcompton9348]

He didn't WANT the crown, septre or throne. He tried for years to get out of being King and Wallis Simpson was his best excuse

[@adam28xx]

This upload of a 1936 78rpm disc is attracting unwanted, rather nasty and possibly libelous comments about certain members of the royal family currently in the news. I will remove these comments, so there's no need to make them any more. I don't want to disable comments, so please keep off current topics altogether! Thank you.

[@gheam9838]

This speech is the reason why Elizabeth is queen untill now.

[@wernerrezvani2354]

An Ode No. She’d be queen anyways because Edward VIII died without children.

[@incognito9718]

Werner Rezvani No children because of the women he chose. She had many pregnancies miscourages due to the first hasband who used to hit her and kick her in tummy until bleeding.

[@whocares-tg5ci]

What a silly childish comment

[@alalakjakaja5793]

Had he stayed as king he would’ve had children

[@Vesporeon]

@@incognito9718 No Edward was, crazily enough, also infertile due to a time where he contracted mumps, sometime before the Great War

[@thesunflake3896]

Here after the crown

[@charlesndugire6318]

Timeless speech

[@edwardmj1978]

As Prince of Wales, Edward knew his father did not fully support his inheriting the throne. And he believed deep within him, he is not as fit as his brother to be King.

[@alalakjakaja5793]

Why is that relevant?

[@voidcatto1805]

@@alalakjakaja5793 it's an interesting fact

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

Alalak Jakaja Because George V was right. He is quoted with saying, “After I am dead the boy will ruin himself within 12 months” and he was spot on.

[@j-mshistorycorner6932]

Which turned out to be true.

[@dbrzdr]

He really sounds and looks like the character from the Crown

[@slaterk7164]

Crown 👑 best series on Netflix true masterpiece in every way possible

[@ozlem5303]

the voice tone similarity is sooo creepy, btw i love him voice

[@mcfcguvnors]

excellent casting & dialect coaches for the series

[@kadiabareld]

The real Édouard is more handsome

[@stephengibson4823]

Don't you mean the actor sounds and looks like him. lol

[@enclavepetrovich330]

Слушая голос этого человека , чувствуется огромная боль и грусть , которую он чувствует , говоря эти слова ,и все из за одной женщины ...

[@eddiemart4613]

Кстати да, я тоже заметил, что есть некие нотки боли... Однако по итогу брат Эдуарда Георг VI оказался хорошим королём

[@VenusEvan_1885]

Omg the way he says God save the king is so intense and poignant, dunno why I got goosebumps, i love history

[@user-fz4vd3ne8m]

Lol me too😂 this is amazing, and i don't even liked him

[@miroslavseda9136]

It's a clear record for the time👍

[@adam28xx]

78rpm records at the time usually had a lot of scratchy surface noise but this one was in very good condition.

[@carson11100]

Well they were married the rest of his life so obviously it was a sacrifice that was not in vain

[@Nyckname]

I don't understand why divorce was such a big deal, given that Henry VIII founded the Church of England because he wanted one. Oh, wait, that's right...he was a he, and Mrs. Simpson was a she.

[@carson11100]

Nyckname yeah.... they honestly should have let him do it.... if he saw the rules today he’d lose his shit

[@chillaxo9863]

@@Nyckname well Edward was no good anyway

[@chillaxo9863]

@@jr5925 exactly

[@cill521]

@@jr5925 Go off you James and show me a marriage without struggle and unhealthy dynamics, they stuck together like many did not. Judgmentalism is a poor fence for naivity and boredom

[@BeyHappiness]

All this shaped the monarchy

[@mrtech2259]

I don't see anything wrong with his decision. He was honest about it and did what felt right to him. Imagine he kept his position just for the sake of not embarrassing the nation? He simply handed over the throne to his brother.

[@spencerbeale3969]

It was a very complicated issue. Today, it's easy to say it would be fine and he should be happy and be allowed to do whatever. He is human after all. The issue was that at the time, the rules were a lot stricter regarding divorcees and who was appropriate to be Queen. Also the law in the UK didn't account for a monarch willingly abdicating (and I don't think it does today). We had never had that before so it caused a huge crisis. It's difficult to appreciate that now as we have seen monarchs stepping down a lot recently (Spain, Netherlands and Japan), they do have very different systems and expectations of their monarchs. Also at the time, there were MPs who did not appreciate Edward's active involvement in politics and saw his more modern outlook disturbing next to his more neutral brother settled with heirs ready made. There were a lot of letters found pretty much conspiring with the archbishop of Canterbury being heavily involved. Sadly, there was a lot more to it than a romantic story. I recommend the documentary "a very British coup" which I think you can find on here.

[@baileyelliott7277]

He was selfish. His brother didn’t want the throne and neither did Queen Elizabeth.

[@kevinlongman007]

At the time it was a huge scandal because he had been a very popular Prince of Wales and was a very popular King and i think the public felt he had been forced to abdicate rather than it being his own choice.

[@ECHOdavidoff]

spot on

[@heartofoak45]

We will obviously never know what kind of a king he would have made. Taking into consideration his later behaviour as Duke of Windsor, I think that this country was dealt a reprieve from his reign, and dealt a far stronger hand with Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Even if he had remained on the throne we would still have been blessed with the reign, albeit much shorter, of his niece HM Queen Elizabeth II.

[@willhovell9019]

He was a self indulgent traitor. Thank goodness for Wallis Simpson

[@graemeratcliffe2498]

Interesting to compare this to King Edward the Last, an alternate history novel that tells what might have happened had Edward not abdicated. There’s a video for it on KZbin.

[@carolrondou6161]

I wonder if the government will release all the files on Edward and Wallis. Everyone involved in the crisis are all dead.

[@cerseilannister7283]

I hope the same

[@UNIT294]

Tommy Lascelles's diary was published. I really want to read it.

[@jojo-xk8ri]

heavily doubtful

[@chloehall4270]

Quite a few shocking facts have been made public in “17 Carnations” and “The Traitor King”.

[@DDELE7]

Those documents will eventually be released to the public domain.

[@edwardmakabling418]

LOVE.

[@dimdion19]

He looked handsome

[@davidpar2]

The famous comet shaped microphone

[@reenawesly1018]

Very Well Done. I salute you your Highness.

[@noice4239]

1:18

[@gingerbaker4390]

He was King but not crowned.

[@juniormarshallhastings723]

He was a King, an Emperor, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Scotland and The Crown of the Commonwealth of Realms and the Commonwealth of Nations..... Then, he gave away all his blessings to marry an American divorcee called Mrs Wallis Simpson.

[@anaspictures1633]

He had saved the monarchy. The monarchy should not let him poor at the end of life. His Abdication is the best thing he could give for the monarchy.

[@chillaxo9863]

@King Victor Emanuele by Israelis what ?

[@guifdcanalli]

Yeah, he would be a terrible leader, unlike George

[@suda2849]

@King Victor shut up scumbag

[@LetsBoogieLetsDance]

Nope. He was very close to the nazis

[@AMANDEEPKAUR-wh7jq]

Leaving a throne for love is a big thing..ppl these days dont know the real meaning of love..he kept his promise of love and lived till death with his love

[@hannahh2305]

Hi did you transfer the speech from the disc yourself? I'm looking for a recording of the speech to use in a podcast series (only on the historical event, no current event connections).

[@adam28xx]

Yes I did. I copied it from the 78rpm disc of the broadcast onto a CD-R and from that onto this channel. Just to confirm that the 78rpm disc went into the public domain after 50 years, as per the copyright law which existed then and still exists today, meaning that it has therefore been out-of-copyright since 1986.

[@hannahh2305]

Thanks for the info. I knew it was out of copyright, but I can't find any digital versions of the disc outside those hosted by the BBC. Can we use the audio from your version for the podcast? Happy to add a credit however you would like it phrased.

[@hannahh2305]

Hi just following up on this request to use a clip from your digital version of this disc on a podcast. I can provide more information via email.

[@raysnostalagiachannelallth5962]

HE really did marry for "love" because it was what was in his heart despite Wallis having been divorced and the Roayl Family frowning upon their relationship for that reason! Still it was love!

[@hannealbrechtsen461]

Beautiful speech, good choice

[@Gord.Stewart]

The Waltons S4, Ep.11 brought me here to learn of this historical moment.

[@amystanley4431]

Me too!

[@dustin1520]

Me too! I just watched the scene where they are gathered around the radio listening. I'd never thought I'd see a comment related to The Waltons here. Just wow!

[@JamesTilsley1]

2:11 As EYEEEEEEEEEEE would wish to do

[@absolutetruthgirl]

the last picture said it all.

[@melvingeloneck3344]

I actually think it was the 3rd to the last one that said it all! It's the one where King George does not look happy at all. He is posing with his wife and a very young future Queen Elizabeth II at her mom's side. The young Elizabeth is smiling happily, as is her mom (also Queen Elizabeth at the time and later known as the Queen Mother).

[@kevinlongman007]

Melvin Geloneck George the VI was a better King than Edward ever would have been.

[@ps3301]

Historically, most kings were womanizers. These modern kings were so loyal to their women.

[@marilenapantazi]

And fun fact, Edward’s father never cheated on his mother and they lived back to early 20th century

[@erusthaliel1568]

@@marilenapantazi Edward's grandfather on the other hand...

[@Gandalf914]

He sort of sounds like John Hurt.

[@bonnie_gail]

good move on his part

[@Fummy007]

4:28 "By her majesty my mother and be her- by MY family" a freudian slip.

[@Emrys91]

he going to say her family wasn't he?

[@MorganKate]

@Lady Maria I think he felt that his family had been quite unkind to him in the lead up to his decision to abdicate and marry Wallis Simpson, so the slip of the tongue almost feels like he's implying that his mother's family were not his family too.

[@shamee9513]

Greatest lover in the history...he did not built the Taj Mahal but abdicated for love of his life...😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@isitoveryet9525]

He was quoted as saying "Will I go to bed in tears, again, tonight?" on a nightly basis, & died in the arms of a nurse while the "love of his life" couldn't be bothered to be there. There marriage was a tragedy, of epic proportions.

[@ogbkballa]

Was also a nazi sympathiser

[@leontrotsky9268]

King Victor Emanuele and? “He liked Hitler” sounds like a fucking Nazi Traitorous swine 5x worse then even the other fuckers in the monarchy

[@kimjonung331]

he was a fucking play boy and nazi sympathizer

[@S_J_banana]

I wish I spoke like him

[@claudiaykathy1]

He was really a handsome prince

[@slendagullyandfriends4530]

Yes he was.

[@virginiaalvespons2590]

Yes, his father too.

[@gaynorpatterson2915]

Yes. I agree. He was very handsome. And so photogenic.

[@RS-ni3lj]

Most of those photos were of his brother.

[@Fummy007]

"The British Race" you don't hear those words anymore.

[@Hilda_ogden]

Fummy No because it's the United Kingdom not a race.

[@alisapolovsky1157]

Fummy sad. but theres nothing you can do really.

[@PhilipCunningham1788]

Fummy Countdown to Extinction for the British race.

[@carlosmpsenyorcapitacollon6977]

YeDutchHawk The national anthem had a stanza talking about 'a nation of races four'

[@BlueZeroThree]

There is no British race, there is only Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish. You’re just a xenophobic nutcase who thinks migrants will take over

[@slaterk7164]

Crown 👑 best series on Netflix true masterpiece in every way possible

[@UNIT294]

It's a well-written and performed show, despite being Hollywood history.

[@SarahSmith-gf5fx]

Could it be that we don't know the entire story? The future King Edward's sympathies with Hitler were well documented. Perhaps he was pressured to abdicate because of his desire for peace with Hitler which would have been considered traitorous in that climate and his desire to marry the divorcee was simply a convenient cover.

[@heyRolleen]

?Well he certainly has Bill Clinton beat. Wallis Simpson...what a hottie, and this was the woman worth giving up a kingdom for? She must have had some skills that we never knew about

[@blazednlovinit]

A Kingdom.... the largest empire in the history of our species.

[@heyRolleen]

blazednlovinit wasnt the roman empire a bit larger than the british empire was in its heyday?

[@andej1238]

The British Empire was the largest empire in history. It held sway over about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population, and covered more than 33,700,000 km2, almost a quarter of the Earth's total land area

[@blazednlovinit]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires The largest by quite a way.

[@thebrutusmars]

Brittannia Moon it helps that she was a fellow Nazi sympathizer

[@fatimapudted6209]

Love is powerful

[@zzzbbbooo]

Except that the love was more one sided on Edward's part than he liked to think.

[@kylepiccoli4762]

6:54 God Save The King!!! (And Queen…)

[@ignantxxxninja]

Maybe there were more complexities besides the public fact that the government and church was opposed to the marriage. Maybe he had more issues with the crown than the public knows about.

[@adam28xx]

It remains a fact that the British government decreed that due to their sensitivity, many of the papers relating to the Abdication Crisis were to be kept under lock and key in the archives for 100 years. This means the whole truth about the affair won't be revealed until 2037 ... www.abroadintheyard.com/historic-files-still-closed-under-the-100-year-rule/

[@callumthornelow2936]

@@adam28xx Only sixteen years to go then, and the full truth shall be know

[@shiningdawn8578]

The magnitude of his decision indicates that there were a lot of issues. What does it take for a good man to give up his birthright?

[@ruthbedoya]

Love ❤️

[@sammatthew2841]

He was a Nazi sympathizer.

[@kennyf1993]

God Save The King

[@BiljanaBibi]

I don't know why I am so sorry for him....

[@Begula005]

also i...

[@MatheusLB2009]

Me neither

[@skyrimwarrior]

King Charles should thank his late great uncle, because if his late great uncle didn’t abdicate, he would not be King today.

[@aeiouxyz1293]

Hi skyrimwarrior! Thanks for your thought but regardless if HM King Edward VIII abdicate or not, King Charles will still be King as Edward cannot produce his own heir (infertile) thus the crown after his death in 1972 will still be passed to her niece, HLM Elizabeth II although she just succeed a later period instead in 1952. Thus King Charles will still succeed Elizabeth II

[@patrickbalmes801]

Charles would still be the king since Edward doesn’t have a children

[@justinanthony0890]

Yes, he would be. The Duke of Windsor had no children. Even if he did, they too would have been affected by the abdication. An heir/heiress of somebody who abdicated would not have ascended to the throne.

[@S_J_banana]

Yes he would. Edward never had kids and never would of had kids

[@Jenny010132]

@@aeiouxyz1293Charles, like his great uncle, is married to a divorcée with a still living former spouse. I’m not sure that would have happened without the chaos of the abdication.

[@metafis2490]

is it me or does he sound like a norfolk farmer on certain words.?

[@francismausley7239]

Love is most powerful; no force can match it... "Love’s a stranger to earth and heaven too; In him are lunacies seventy-and-two." ~ Jalálu’d-Dín Rúmí (quoted by Bahá'u'lláh in The Seven Valleys)

[@author7027]

he looked very good but talks clear but with a desperation in his voice

[@davidryan9496]

A moving and eloquent speech by a very brave man. This was a turning pint in the modern monarchy, when the political class gained too much undeserved power over the soul of the nation.

[@jamesberry4514]

Brave, .... his girlfriend was a fan of the Nazi's. Sure he played the card that he was just "in love". Maybe he was, but the idea of a man influenced by someone who was bought off on the idea's of the Nazi government being a leader in Britain was unacceptable. They had a very daunting challenge ahead of them. The Nazi's destroyed their fleet, seized France, would seize much of Russia, and all of this done without much resistance. At the time, the idea of this guy being the monarch in that struggle was unacceptable. It's possible they would have accepted Wallis Simpson if times were different. No doubt, they didn't admire her personality for that of a queen. At this time, there was no way she was going to be living in Buckingham palace during the Nazi siege.

[@terrismith9662]

David Ryan Brave?? No. Certainly not. He was selfish and spoiled and unwilling to meet his responsibilities. He was a coward who colluded with the Nazis....Edward was so sure that Hitler was going to win. He planned to depose his brother and betray his people by stealing the Crown,a puppet King for the Nazis. He even gave Hitler advice to keep bombing England because they would be willing to make peace and surrender. He gave the advice to kill his own countrymen and women and children . Brave? No. A coward and a traitor. I am glad that he and his whore was thrown out of the country.

[@mickpriestley]

What a legend

[@Monkgalana]

Legend of coward

[@mrz_88]

Upper class accent

[@zrepeels]

I suppose it would be.

[@morsletum5348]

Well duh....

[@babs66]

It's called received pronunciation but he had a strange voice with bits of cockney and later American. Possibly due to his Aspergers.

[@milobaret8672]

Easy to understand 🙂

[@lucasdeabrielle7375]

That's sad 😢

[@sochlutherrellosa306]

Fuck you

[@lucasdeabrielle7375]

@@sochlutherrellosa306 I don't fight kids sorry 😅

[@darkblade4340]

Wash your mouth out.

[@gemini802]

Poor mani feel for him.torn between love and duty.

[@69LOLIN]

Was it love, cowardcy or pure lust? Probably not even he knew!

[@kevinlongman007]

69LOLIN He loved her...but i'm not sure if she truly loved him.

[@miriamhavard7621]

Love. And knowing his own mind.

[@babs66]

@@miriamhavard7621 obsession due to his Aspergers.

[@carlosmpsenyorcapitacollon6977]

Why did he exile? Was he unable to live in the UK as a normal citizen?

[@adam28xx]

There were many complicated reasons. The Duke's mother, Queen Mary, as well as the new King and Queen (George VI and Elizabeth) refused to accept a twice-divorced American woman into the Royal Family. For his part, the Duke of Windsor refused to live in England unless and until Wallis was officially accepted. There was also the question of her title: she was denied being called "Her Royal Highness" and that rankled with the Duke. There were also many complicated financial reasons, so they chose to live in France and only occasionally visited England.

[@PetrolHeadBrasil]

In fact he made an agreement with His Majesty King George VI that he would live in exile, receiving an allowance. And as an exile, because he chose to stay with Simpson, he was a persona non grata. He could only return to the UK with the permission of the sovereign. In addition, he was sympathizing with Nazism and betrayed the UK several times ....

[@h4rdbr3xit10]

Ночной Позор Long Story Short, he was Kicked out of the Country, but received payment from the Royal Family. He moved and spend the Rest of his life in the United States

[@TheFever77]

CarSpotterInLs The United States? No he didn’t, you wish!

[@melvingeloneck3344]

CarSpotterInLs: You need to re-read your history. You have no idea where he went to live if you think it was the U.S. He was Governor of a British island in the Caribbean for a while. Basically a meaningless title. He was said to have hob-nobbed with Hitler, especially in France after Hitler took it. He was a Nazi sympathizer and Hitler was his buddy.

[@robertboris9597]

Георг ,больше на деда Едгорда похож .)

[@SmackingNationDE]

Jez Dior

[@Kyan-rg5zn]

6:55 god save the king 👑 🎉

[@piplee1439]

@4:29 SAYS IT ALL

[@josielopez7912]

How long did he serve as a king?

[@adam28xx]

From 20 January 1936 to 11 December 1936. He was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history.

[@Cjbx11]

He was never crowned king as he abdicated before his coronation.

[@adam28xx]

He became King Edward VIII the moment George V died and he was duly proclaimed as such the next day. As stated above, he was never crowned and his younger brother took his place as George VI. Here is the link to Edward VIII's proclamation ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4SpZIqrpbxlo80

[@kevinlongman007]

Cjbx11 He was never crowned as King but that's neither here nor there. He automatically became King as soon as his father King George V died.

[@seantitus2769]

He was king for about 11 months. He became king upon the death of his father, George V, and was acclaimed king by the Accession Council. True, he was never crowned, but he was king. In British Law, the Crown never dies. There is always a Sovereign. “The king is dead, long live the king.” (This is different than Belgium, where the throne is vacant between the death or abdication of the previous monarch & the inauguration of the new monarch.)

[@melvingeloneck3344]

"And now... We all have a new king. I wish him and you his people happiness and prosperity with all my heart. {pause] God bless you all.... God save the king!" He sounded so sincere. Yet his very next mission was to head to Hitler and help him bomb the crap out of the people he said he loved so much and wished such wonderful prosperity.

[@markharrison2544]

The British bombed Germany first, as they had in World War I.

[@kevinlongman007]

Mark Harrison The Germans started the war just as they did in World War One.

[@kevinlongman007]

Mark Harrison The Soviet Union invaded Poland in 1939 alongside Germany.

[@markharrison2544]

We should have allowed a referendum on Danzig.

[@miriamhavard7621]

No proof.