The man who would be king

Ipswich, a small seaside town 75 miles from London, was the focus of attention when Mrs. Simpson appeared in Crown Court to give testimony in her suit for divorce. She was granted a "decree nisi," which meant her divorce would become final after six months. Mrs. Simpson eluded reporters by ducking out a side door and getting a head start on the road back to London.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the English press ended its self-imposed censorship, with newspapers carrying headlines like this one in the Daily Mirror: "King Wants to Marry Mrs. Simpson But Cabinet Advises No."

At first it looked like the country might be heading for a showdown. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin adamantly opposed the marriage, and Winston Churchill and Lord Beaverbrook, owner of the Daily Express, proposed a compromise — a morganatic marriage in which Mrs. Simpson would be the king's wife but not his queen.

Less than a week after the story broke, it became apparent that government forces were gaining the upper hand, even though Mrs. Simpson had drawn front-page headlines when she announced she was willing to call off their engagement.

When she left the next day to stay with friends in France, a small army of journalists followed right along. After her departure it took a couple of days to arrange the legalities of succession to the throne by Edward's younger brother, the Duke of York. As George VI, he reigned for 16 years, succeeded by his 26 year-old daughter Elizabeth II when he died of lung cancer at 52.

Many historians believe Edward's abdication after a week of negotiations was a lucky break for Britain and the House of Windsor. Had the whole thing dragged on, the public might have lost confidence in their rulers.

At 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, just nine days after the story broke, Edward made a farewell speech that was carried by radio stations in every part of the world. Lowell Thomas described it in these words: "Take all the great speeches in history, of the stage, of impassioned orators, of great statesmen — there is nothing approaching the poignancy of a man who spoke to the Empire for the last time."

"At long last," Edward's three-minute speech began, "I am able to say a few words of my own. I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and discharge my duties as king without the help and support of the woman I love.

"I have made this, the most important decision of my life, upon a single thought of what in the end would be best for all. The decision was made easier because my younger brother, the Duke of York, will be able to take my place forthwith. And he has one matchless blessing enjoyed by you and not bestowed upon me — a happy home with wife and children. ...

"And now we have a new king," he concluded. "I wish him well, and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all. God save the king!"