On 11 December 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated from the British throne after 327 days as monarch. The abdication ended months of speculation and negotiation about his future as the British monarch and the role of his lover, Wallis Simpson, an American socialite.

Edward and Simpson began their affair in the early 1930s, while Simpson was married to her then second husband. As an American, a commoner, and a divorcee, Simpson was considered by many to be highly unsuitable as a consort to the future King of England. Additionally, Edward would also become head of the Church of England upon his accession, and the church at the time did not recognise marriages of previously divorced persons.

In January 1936 Edward succeeded to the throne after the death of his father, King George V, and his coronation was scheduled for the following year. By October of 1936 however his tenure on the throne looked uncertain as his romance with Simpson gained public profile, and the finalisation of her second divorce meant that she was free to marry again.

As a possible solution to the constitutional crisis, Edward proposed a morganatic marriage to Simpson, meaning that she would not accede to the throne upon his coronation and their offspring would not be royal heirs. However after consultation with the British Parliament and the leaders of the Dominions, including the Prime Minister of New Zealand, this idea was rejected. In response, Edward chose to abdicate and signed the Instrument of Abdication at Fort Belvedere on 10 December 1936, which came into effect the following day. His younger brother succeeded him as King, and was crowned King George VI in May 1937. Princess Elizabeth consequently became the heiress presumptive, until her coronation as Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

This record comes from the constitutional papers record group, which comprises of records relating to significant constitutional developments in New Zealand.

View more of this series on Archway: Archives reference: ACGO 8341 IA9 59/34

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