AHC: Biggest abdication crisis possible

With one (or more) POD(s) no earlier than 1936, produce an abdication crisis that is as big and as damaging to the stability of Britain and/or the Empire as possible.

Bonus points if Edward survives as king. Extra bonus points if he also marries Wallis Simpson.
 
That's dificult. Perhaps Edward VIII and MRS Simpson just drift on for a bit longer (while Edward settles down as King) and the crisis doesn't blow up until the summer of 1939?

Not sure whether this is possible-and whether it would even affect the war effort (and prepperations) atall though.
 
Easy: When Baldwin tells Edward that one of them had to go, Edward tells Baldwin: "You're it, I'm keeping her and the throne", since Baldwin had said he'd resign if Edward tried hanging on. Attlee had gotten caucus backing on the subject, he wouldn't form a government either. So there would have to be a snap election which would result in another Tory landslide. They would then pass an Abdication Bill declaring the throne vacant with all the precedent using the nuclear option would create. After all, everyone remembers the last nuclear option- Asquith's.

The problem with these scenarios is that Edward was a spineless coward and wanted Simpson much more than the throne. Baldwin knew this, which is why I don't know if he even ever discussed said abdication bill despite being the logical post-election outcome. Edward can hang on as king but not with Simpson around. Everything else aside, on this issue Baldwin had a spine, Chamberlain even mroe so (he wanted to turn the screws harder and faster). Edward doesn't. As soon as they corner him and turn the screws he'll back down.
 
Easy: When Baldwin tells Edward that one of them had to go, Edward tells Baldwin: "You're it, I'm keeping her and the throne", since Baldwin had said he'd resign if Edward tried hanging on. Attlee had gotten caucus backing on the subject, he wouldn't form a government either. So there would have to be a snap election which would result in another Tory landslide. They would then pass an Abdication Bill declaring the throne vacant with all the precedent using the nuclear option would create. After all, everyone remembers the last nuclear option- Asquith's.

The problem with these scenarios is that Edward was a spineless coward and wanted Simpson much more than the throne. Baldwin knew this, which is why I don't know if he even ever discussed said abdication bill despite being the logical post-election outcome. Edward can hang on as king but not with Simpson around. Everything else aside, on this issue Baldwin had a spine, Chamberlain even mroe so (he wanted to turn the screws harder and faster). Edward doesn't. As soon as they corner him and turn the screws he'll back down.

What was Asquith's nuclear option ?

Would individual MPs in Parliament really vote for an abdication bill ?

Here's an outlandish thought: I recall reading somewhere that there were fears of a "Kings Party" being formed. So, could one have arisen with Churchill (assuming he changed his mind on the subject), Lloyd George, Oswald Mosley and opportunists from all parties ? Also have Edward give more "Something must be done !" speeches to the populace.

Finally, the crisis outlined by you above seems pretty mild. Given a stronger character for Edward, is there any way of making this even bigger ?
 
Like you say, I really don't see Edward hanging on when most of the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet were against him-it probably wasn't in his character to do so.

Even if he decides to tough it out for a while, I think the pressure would eventually mount and he'd abdicate before Baldwin can put any bill before parliament.

Perhaps a bigger crisis could be created if the British PM supported Edward? It couldn't be Baldwin or Chainberlain, but if someone who supported Edward in OTL could be in No 10 at the time, that might help. It's not too much of a stretch to see this person in charge of a divided cabenet on this issue.

Any ideas who this could be and whether it can work? Even so, Edward might just quitt in this scenario anyway.
 
Like you say, I really don't see Edward hanging on when most of the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet were against him-it probably wasn't in his character to do so.

Even if he decides to tough it out for a while, I think the pressure would eventually mount and he'd abdicate before Baldwin can put any bill before parliament.

Perhaps a bigger crisis could be created if the British PM supported Edward? It couldn't be Baldwin or Chainberlain, but if someone who supported Edward in OTL could be in No 10 at the time, that might help. It's not too much of a stretch to see this person in charge of a divided cabenet on this issue.

Any ideas who this could be and whether it can work? Even so, Edward might just quitt in this scenario anyway.


Maybe Lloyd George ?
 
Maybe Lloyd George ?

For that to have a chance at happenning, you'd need the Liberals to remain the Tory alternative-and you'd need them to unite around Lloyd George and given the events of December 1916, that'd be tricky. If your Pod is no Asquith/Lloyd George split, then the butterflies could well prevent Edward from being in the same place as MRS Simpson in 1931 anyhow.
 
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