Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

While Edward was involved in a series of love affairs with married women, it was Wallis Simpson, the wife of an American businessman, who stole his heart. She had divorced her first husband Win Spencer in 1927. Her second husband Ernest Simpson, was a British American businessman.

Following Edward’s accession to the throne, King Edward and Simpson’s love affair zoomed to greater heights. The two spent a great deal of time together and were almost inseparable.

Edward VIII was born to Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary) on June 23, 1894 at White Lodge. He was the eldest son and third in line to succession after his grandfather, Edward VII and his father George. He was baptized Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David on July 16, 1894.

Young Edward was initially homeschooled by tutor, Helen Bricka and later by Henry Hansell. Completing his preliminary studies, he entered Osborne Naval College and within two years shifted to Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

King Edward VII’s death in 1910 stirred a chain of events, with Edward becoming Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay and later Prince of Wales in 1911. He served as a midshipman for three months aboard the battleship Hindustan before enrolling at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was at the Oxford for eight terms but left it without any academic qualifications.

During World War I, Edward enlisted himself at the army. Though he was willing to serve on the front lines, he was assigned to safe positions. Nevertheless, he visited the front lines often, witnessing trench warfare first-hand, which earned him a reputation amongst the war veterans.

Following the end of World War I, he returned to England. Under the reign of his father, King George V, Edward travelled extensively across Britain and other parts of the world. He even visited poverty stricken and high unemployment areas during the economic depression. It were these visits that gained him much public attention.

Edward’s extensive travels, courteous mannerism, killer looks, fearless attitude and highly fashionable appearance gained him widespread attention especially from women. He soon followed the footsteps of his grandfather and turned into a womanizer, much to his father’s disgust.

He continued with his Casanova attitude well into the 1930s as well. His residence at Fort Belvedere was the birthplace of many of his romantic relationships with married women, particularly the one with American divorcee Wallis Simpson. His intimacy with Simpson soured his relationship with father and irked the monarchy as well.

Following the death of King George V on January 20, 1936, Edward, the heir apparent, ascended the throne. His rebellious nature became apparently visible as he broke the royal protocol by watching the proclamation of his own accession. Edward’s reign created unease in the parliament.