Churchills Views On The Abdication Of Edward VIII

Question 1

What was the background to the reasoning for William VIII abdication ?

Answer 1

• seen as neurotic and unstable. Moroever, he had a reputation as a playboy and despite doing his duty in WW1 and by carrying out imperial tours and official openings his private life was often less respectable
• predilection for liking older women regardless of wether they were married
• parties more typical of the roaring twenties than the more staid formal gatherings of his parents
• tendency to make off the cuff remakes which could be seen as political interference

Question 2

What was the main problem ?

Answer 2

• his attachment it a divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson
• she had been divorced twice by the time Edward (David) was determined to marry her
• Large issue was that as king he was head of the English church and needed to be committed to its values which did not include divorce
• Prime minister Baldwin and the cabinet also did not support the matter making it a constitutional and imperial issue

Question 3

How did Churchill react to this ?

Answer 3

• Background: member of a limited and informal group known as the ‘kings friends’

Question 4

How did Churchill react?

Answer 4

• Background: member of an informal and limited group ‘the kings friends’ who undertook to support the monarchy for loyalty and chivalry
• Bulk of parliament did not support or hold this view
• Churchill misjudged the mood the House of Commons and made a speech in favour: he was shouted down
• Once again Churchill appeared to be rooted in the past

Question 5

When did Edward VIII announce his abdication?

Answer 5

December 1936