Sunday Snap - The Abdication

We were on Platform 9¾ for last week's Sunday Snap. I asked which station this Harry Potter tribute was on and the answer is

King's Cross

Conjuring up the right answer were Kara, Cheryl, Anne, Stephen, Susan, Angela, Cass and Jen.

For this week we are going 80 years back in time. The post box above carries the royal cipher of Edward VIII which means it was erected during his short reign in 1936. The Prince of Wales became King when his father King George V died on 20^th January 1936. By this time the new Edward VIII had been in a relationship with Wallis Simpson since 1934. Mrs Simpson divorced her first husband in 1927 and was still legally married to her second husband. The relationship was disapproved of by Edward's parents, the government, the Church of England and the security services.

After becoming King it became apparent that Edward was becoming more and more determined to marry Mrs Simpson. In October 1936 Mrs Wallis was granted a decree nisi – she had filed for divorce on the grounds of her husband's adultery with her childhood friend. As monarch Edward VIII was Supreme Governor of the Church of England. At the time the Church of England did not permit the remarriage of divorcees if their former spouse was still alive. They also only recognised divorce on the grounds of adultery and Mrs Simpson divorced her first husband on the grounds of 'mutual incompatibility'. Her second marriage therefore could be seen as bigamous as could a third to the King. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England Edward was expected to be in communion with its teachings and a possible marriage to Mrs Simpson was not compatible with them.

By December 1936 the British public had become fully aware of the extent of the relationship between their King and Mrs Simpson. With pressure mounting Mrs Simpson fled to France and was urged to publicly renounce her relationship with the King. However on 10^th December 1936 Edward VIII signed the Instrument of Abdication in front of his brothers who included the Duke of York who would succeed him as King George VI. The next day he made is famous radio broadcast to the nation giving details of his abdication.

As part of his abdication speech Edward stated, “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.” Mrs Simpson was granted a decree absolute in May 1937 and the couple finally married in France on 3^rd June 1937 – this would have been King George V's 72^nd birthday. The couple remained married until Edward's death in 1972. This week's question is

What was the ducal title that was granted to Edward VIII after he abdicated?

We were joined last week by Anne and her fabulous winter wedding. Kara has been to see the seals and get a present. Jack and Noah have welcomed arrival of their new baby sister. There were cries of, “He's behind you” from Cheryl. Finally, Susan had a very festive looking cat and a son dressed as magpie!

Sunday Snap will be taking a Christmas and New Year break for two weeks but it will be back on Sunday 8^th January 2017. Any correct question answers and linkups will be featured then. If you want to join in with this week's Sunday Snap then add your link to the linky below. Any theme is allowed. It doesn't have to be published today as you have until 23.55 on Friday 6^th January 2017 to join in. Grab my badge below for your blog post. Just make sure it is your photo and you hold the copyright for it.

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