King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson on holiday in Yugoslavia, 1936

King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson on holiday in Yugoslavia, 1936.

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Daily Herald Archive at the National Media Museum

King Edward VIII (1894-1972) reigned from 20 January to 11 December 1936. Just a few months into his sovereignty he caused controversy by proposing to American socialite Wallis Simpson (1896-1986), who had divorced her first husband and was seeking a divorce from her second. The Prime Minister opposed the marriage and, had he remained King, it would have compromised Edward’s position as head of the Church of England. Edward abdicated the throne and was never crowned.

This photograph has been selected from the Daily Herald Archive, a collection of over three million photographs. The archive holds work of international, national and local importance by both staff and agency photographers.

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