The Abdication of Edward VIII

Born in 1894 as the oldest son of George, Duke of York, Edward became heir to the throne when his father was crowned King George V in May 1910 and was formally invested as Prince of Wales the following summer. As feared by royal aides, Edward showed little interest in any sort of day-to-day governorship. He was mainly preoccupied with marrying Wallis Simpson, and from her husband, at least, there was no pushback, as the businessman agreed to let the King have his way. After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII became the first British monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne.