Crown in Crisis: Abdication

After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII became the first British monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He made this choice after the British government and the Church of England condemned his decision to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. On the evening of December 11th, 1936, Edward gave a radio address to the public, in which he explained his reasoning for leaving behind the throne. The broadcast was expected but still shocking.