On 11th December 1936 King Edward VIII abdicated the throne. He had become king less than 11 months earlier, following the death of his father, George V, and never had a coronation.

This was as a result of his proposing marriage to American socialite Wallis Simpson, who would be twice-divorced by the time he married her. It was argued that marrying a twice divorced woman would net sit well with either the people, nor his position as titular head of the Church of England (an organisation basically founded to grant Henry VIII a divorce).

Rather than end his relationship, Edward abdicated in favour of his brother, Albert, known as King George VII.

Given certain sympathies Edward, later Duke of Windsor, was claimed to have had, and his behaviour, having him on the throne during World War II would probably have been less than optimal.

Image: By Freeland Studio [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons