Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom Historical Figure Nationality: United Kingdom Year of Birth: 1894 Year of Death: 1972 Cause of Death: Throat cancer Religion: Anglicanism Occupation: Soldier, Nobility, Pilot, Parents: George V Mary of Teck Spouse: Wallis Simpson Children: None Relatives: Victoria (great-grandmother), Edward VII (grandfather), George VI (brother); George, Duke of Kent (brother); Elizabeth II (niece) House: Windsor Military Branch: British Army (World War I) Political Office(s): Prince of Wales, Monarch of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions Emperor of India, Duke of Windsor, Governor of the Bahamas Fictional Appearances: Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), known as David among his family and close friends, and member of the House of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the British dominions, and Emperor of India from 20 January 1936, following the death of his father, George V, until his abdication on 11 December 1936. Only months into his reign, Edward caused a constitutional crisis by proposing marriage to the American divorcée Wallis Simpson. Although legally Edward could have married Mrs. Simpson and remained king, the prime ministers of the British Empire opposed the marriage, arguing that the people would never accept her as queen, due to her scandalous history and immoral lifestyle. Rather than give her up, Edward abdicated. He was succeeded by his younger brother George VI. After his abdication, he reverted to the style of a son of the Sovereign, The Prince Edward, and was created Duke of Windsor by George VI. During World War II, he was at first stationed with the British Military Mission to France, but after private accusations that he held pro-Nazi sympathies, was moved to the Bahamas as Governor and Commander-in-Chief. After the war, he was never given another official appointment, and spent the remainder of his life in retirement. Edward VIII in The War That Came Early The War That Came Early POD: July 20, 1936; Relevant POD: September 29, 1938 Appearance(s): Hitler's War; The Big Switch; Coup d'Etat Type of Appearance: Contemporary references Edward VIII's abdication was fresh in the minds of British troops in 1939. Alistair Walsh wistfully referenced the abdication when King Leopold III of Belgium led his country to disaster against Germany during the early months of the Second World War. In 1940, after the "big switch" saw Britain and France join Germany against the Soviet Union, Ronald Cartland was reminded of Edward's observation that "dictators seem to be popular these days," which he shared with Alistair Walsh. Walsh concluded it was probably good that Edward was no longer king. By 1941, Edward had been sent to Bermuda by his younger brother George VI due to his support for Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Edward VIII in Southern Victory Southern Victory POD: September 10, 1862 Appearance(s): In at the Death Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference Political Office(s): Monarch of the United Kingdom Edward VIII ascended the throne upon the death of his father George V in 1936. With Britain still angered over its defeat during the Great War, Edward allowed his country to move towards revanchism towards the Central Powers, Germany in particular. In 1941, Edward VIII brought his country into conflict with Germany. Although Britain and its allies made substantial gains, the tide had obviously turned by 1943. With his Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, Edward escaped the destruction of London by a German superbomb in 1944. However, Churchill's government did not survive a vote of confidence. Horace Wilson succeeded Churchill, and sued for peace with Germany. Edward VIII in The Two Georges The Two Georges POD: c. 1763 Type of Appearance: Posthumous references Date of Death: Unrevealed Spouse: Unrevealed Children: Edward IX (presumed) Relatives: Charles III (grandson, presumed) House: House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Political Office(s): King-Emperor of the United Kingdom and British Empire Edward VIII, heir of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, was the King-Emperor of the British Empire during the mid 20th century. His reign saw a revival in the Rococo style of interior design. Rococo underwent another such revival in the mid 1990s. He was the elder brother of George, Duke of Kent, the sire of a notoriously poorly-behaved branch of the Royal Family. Edward VIII was succeeded by Edward IX. See Also George VI of the United Kingdom, Edward's successor as Monarch of the United Kingdom who reigned throughout the 1940s in OTL. In the Southern Victory timeline, Edward reigns over Great Britain during an analog of World War II. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, the Monarch of the UK throughout the second half of the 20th century in OTL. In The Two Georges timeline, Edward had a much longer reign which likely included the 1950s-60s. References Royal offices (OTL) Preceded by George V King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India January to December 1936 Succeeded by George VI Royal offices (Southern Victory) Preceded by George V King of Great Britain and Emperor of India 1936-19?? Succeeded by Incumbent at series' end, 1945 Regnal titles (The Two Georges) Preceded by George V (presumed) King-Emperor of Great Britain and the Empire 1936-1972 (dates estimated) Succeeded by Edward IX (presumed)