Edward VIII scandal Flashcards
1
Q
When did George V die?
A
January 1936
2
Q
Why was Edward adored so much by his people?
A
- Toured Empire extensively as the Prince of Wales
- Seen as a man of the people / moderniser
- Visited the most deprived parts of England
3
Q
What did Edward famously say while touring South Wales?
A
- South Wales had been known for coal mines
- It was a very depressed area
- He said ‘something must be done’
4
Q
Who was Edward involved romantically with?
A
Wallis Simpson
5
Q
How many divorces had Wallace Simpson had and when?
A
- Married her first husband in 1916, divorced in 1927
- Married her second husband in 1928, filed for divorce in 1935
6
Q
When did Edward and Wallace begin having an affair?
A
Starts in 1934, while she’s still married, and is very public
7
Q
Who opposed Edward VIII in marrying Wallis and why?
A
- Stanley Baldwin, who thought it was unconstitutional
- The entire Labour party
- Majority of MPs
- Church of England (who didn’t recognise divorce)
- British Empire - Dominion Prime Ministers, who didn’t like Wallis
- Public opinion
8
Q
What is a morganatic marriage?
A
- Marriage to the King that wouldn’t make Wallis queen
- Meant also that her children wouldn’t inherit the throne
9
Q
Who supported Edward?
A
- The ‘King’s Party’
- Believed he should have the freedom to decide what to do with his personal life
- Included Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere
10
Q
Who were Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere?
A
- Lord Beaverbrook is head of Daily Express
- Lord Rothermere is head of Daily Mail
11
Q
What would people shout at Churchill when he tried to defend the King in the Commons?
A
- ‘Drop it’
- ‘Twister’
- General heckling
- Wouldn’t be allowed to get a word it
12
Q
Why did people hate Wallis so much?
A
- People would say she stole their king
- She was American
- She’d already been divorced once and was divorcing again - a ‘serial divorcee’
- Had been committing adultery for some time
- No aristocratic or royal blood
13
Q
When did Edward choose to abdicate?
A
December 11th 1936
