The Reign of Edward VIII : TL

December 1936

At Buckingham Palace, four gentlemen sat around a circular table. The room was cloudy with smoke, the whisky and brandy was flowing and papers were passed anti-clockwise as additions were made. Christened "The Privy Cancel" by some in the Cabinet, the King was now taking advice from Lord Mountbatten, Sir Samuel Hoare and Winston Churchill on every matter. He still met with the Prime Minister but their last meeting saw no mention of Mrs Simpson and the focus was on the coronation and the plans for another Royal tour of the poor areas of England, specifically in the North East where times were hard. Edward had become known for the phrase, "Something must be done" and this group of men were seeing to it that something was. Churchill drained his glass, "If we can put forward a practical and acceptable case to the Cabinet Your Majesty, marriage will not be as big an issue as we once thought".

Mountbatten nodded his agreement but Hoare was sceptical. In his own mind, he didn't want the King to believe everything Churchill said. In the beginning, Hoare felt that Churchill's ideas were the best for Britain but now he was concerned that Churchill was setting himself up as a rival Prime Minister and that would never do. Churchill continued, "My proposal is this Sir. Let us create a timeline for events and submit it to the Cabinet. There will need to be a certain amount of give and take on Your Majesty's part".

"We've come this far Winston, we may as well see it through", the King said optimistically. Just that morning he had sent a telegram to Wallis. It was simple but said all it needed to say; "WE will not be parted. Support grows. Trust me. Your loving David". He was missing her company, her laughter and her informality. Now he was aware that it would be some time before he saw the woman he loved but Mountbatten was a believer in the "carrot and stick" approach. "My suggestion Your Majesty", Churchill explained, "is that Mrs Simpson spend a quiet Christmas with friends in London, perhaps a visit to Your Majesty at Fort Belvedere which we can portray as a visit to a friend. She would then return to Paris. In June, Your Majesty will be crowned King, there is the visit to India for the coronation there and in the final week you can reserve time for a week's private holiday with Mrs Simpson".

Hoare gathered confidence and warned, "But surely the Archbishop's support is conditional on the fact that His Majesty does not see Mrs Simpson?". Mountbatten smiled, "What the Archbishop does not know cannot hurt him. And his objection is to Mrs Simpson in Britain as a permanent fixture, once His Majesty is crowned the Archbishop becomes surplus to requirement". The King sipped his brandy, "Gentlemen, let us put pen to paper".

And so the King's Proposal was drafted. The document was short and to the point. It's suggestion was that Mrs Simpson stay in France for the immediate future, with just two meetings in 6 months planned between the King and his lover. After the Durbar in India, the King would return and after a period of 6 months he would marry Mrs Simpson. The wedding would be small and private with the ceremony taking place in St George's Chapel. If this was considered inappropriate, the King would marry in a civil ceremony at Caxton Hall followed by a blessing at St Paul's or at St George's. The wedding would not be covered by the press. Mrs Simpson would not become Queen but would instead use the title and style of 'Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Lancaster" in the United Kingdom and the Dominions unless those dominions passed individual acts of parliament granting her the title of Queen. Any children from the marriage would not be entered into the Line of Succession, securing the place of the popular Princess Elizabeth as third-in-line to the throne.

The King was pleased with the proposal but to make it work, there'd have to be careful stage management and Mountbatten was dispatched to France to take care of Wallis and brief her on the plan. The proposal would remain confidential to the four men and to Mrs Simpson until after the Indian visit. On paper, it just might work and King turned his thoughts to his first Royal duty since the crisis began; a four day visit to Scotland. He didn't like the thought of leaving London but one engagement was an address to a conference of Bishops with Lang as guest speaker. The public view would be of a religious King with the Archbishop of Canterbury as a supporter. And Baldwin was nowhere to be seen. The Prime Minister took the Duke of Devonshire's advice and began to crack on with government's agend, visiting asylums on a policy of improving long term medical care.

Christmas loomed and as the Royal Family gathered at Sandringham for the first time since the death of George V and the Mrs Simpson scandal, the atmosphere was tense. Queen Mary had confined herself to her rooms, attending Christmas Eve church services with the King but dining alone. The Duke and Duchess of York had declined the invitation and were spending Christmas with the Duchess's parents in Scotland. The Gloucesters were the only guests who seemed genuinely pleased to be there but Christmas Day would give a boost to the family feeling that was so lacking. Princess Marina gave birth to a daughter, Princess Alexandra. Buoyed by this, the Royal Family entered into the Christmas spirit and Edward almost regretted leaving the gathering on the 27th to pay a long-awaited visit to Fort Belvedere. It was a visit he couldn't afford to miss. His guest was Wallis Simpson.
 
Last edited:
Not so much arranged as convenient! Edward's mother was Princess Mary of Teck who was originally engaged to the eldest son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (nee Princess of Denmark), Prince Albert Victor the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. When he died, the next brother in line (the future George V) stepped in and married Mary.

Now that I think about it, it was Edward's brother who I read had an arranged marriage. I remember reading that Charles thought if his grandparents were happy, he could adjust to Diana,
 
27th December 1936

As the Royal Family enjoyed the remaining weeks of their winter holiday at Sandringham in Norfolk, the King was on his way to Fort Belvedere. Edward had more or less agreed to the Churchill-led "Proposal" and under the terms which the four men believed would secure both the throne and Wallis as Edward's wife, he had agreed only to see Wallis twice. After today, Edward VIII wouldn't see Mrs Simpson again until July 3rd 1937. It was a meeting filled with joy and yet, sadness. They embraced upon meeting and the King and Wallis sat taking tea together in the drawing room. Edward outlined Churchill's suggestions but Mrs Simpson seemed to be a little reluctant. She had always been the centre of attention, she could always have any man she wanted and had never been the sort of girl to sit at home and wait for a man to visit. Now she faced many lonely months in France until she was 'collected' by Lord Mountbatten like a parcel, shipped to India where she'd see Edward again. But that was by no means the end. Wallis would remain in India until a marriage deal had been agreed by the government. Mountbatten would stay with her and though she enjoyed Louis' company, it was Edward she wanted.

Whilst the King and Wallis dined at Fort Belvedere, Stanley Baldwin was at Chequers. For him, Christmas had brought a pleasant respite from government business and the row over the King's marriage was showing signs of settling. Mrs Simpson would soon be back in Paris, her new second home, the King was carrying out a programme of engagements leading up to his coronation in June and then he'd be out of the way in India. At least Baldwin could concentrate on the worrying news coming out of Germany. Some officials were warning of war and suddenly the King's marriage seemed not to be a priority, especially as Edward wasn't pushing for an agreement. Suddenly, Baldwin felt very old.

15th January 1937

The King sat in his private office at Buckingham Palace. His private secretary entered the room; "Your Majesty, I've just spoken with the Prime Minister. He intends to resign". Edward could not help but smile. Baldwin had never exactly been a help and in recent weeks, meetings between PM and monarch had been tense and strict with the obvious elephant in the room ignored. Now Baldwin was out of the way, marriage may be easier but also he could push forward the reforms for the poor that Baldwin had brushed aside. Either way, Baldwin's resignation was a blessing. So why did Baldwin resign? He had made it known that it was always his intention to step down in 1937 but the last 6 months had cemented the decision. He was disliked by the public who saw him as being a hinderance to the King's happiness and his Cabinet was now divided, some of them back-tracking in their decision to deny the King his marriage. It was a mess and Baldwin wanted out.

"What happens now?" Edward asked, his inexperience shining through.

"Well Sir", began Hoare, "Candidates will be proposed and a vote taken. If the vote is unclear, it will be for Your Majesty to decide which candidate should become Prime Minister. That is the Conservative way". Edward nodded. He could almost guarantee that Churchill would stand but he was not without other allies. As Hoare began listing the possible replacements for Baldwin, his heart lifted when he heard "Chamberlain, Neville". Chamberlain was one of those who had signed the letter to Baldwin in support of the King and he was also a friend of Churchill's. Things were finally moving in Edward's favour but he still had the outgoing Prime Minister to wish well.

At 7pm on the 15th January 1937, Baldwin made his final trip to Buckingham Palace. He tendered his resignation to the King who accepted but his farewell to Edward would include a warning; "Your Majesty, within the next decade this world may change dramatically. I would beg of you to put your people first at every opportunity". Edward nodded. As Baldwin left the room, Edward poured himself a glass of brandy. Neville Chamberlain was on his way. He would be Edward's second Prime Minister.
 
1st February 1937

Chamberlain's early ministry was looking solid. Lord Hailsham had remained in his post as Lord Chancellor, John Simon was still Home Secretary and Lord Zetland was staying with India. But one addition that brought joy to both the Conservatives and the Royal Household alike was Winston Churchill who would be returning to his old post as Chancellor of the Exchequer. To the outside world, the Cabinet was one of stability but to those in the know, the line up meant something quite different. Chamberlain was 68 and was considered by most to be an interim Prime Minister who would make way for a younger man in the near future but he was also a signatory to a letter to former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin which stated that; "We would accept a morganatic marriage, subject to the decision of parliament, only after a coronation. We would also wish to see a period of calm lasting a year to two years before any marriage is even considered".

Edward VIII had a copy but he wasn't a fool, in his first meeting with Chamberlain he hadn't mentioned the idea of a marriage and Chamberlain seemed too nervous to raise the issue himself. They had discussed the worrying news from Germany, the impending coronation and the new parliamentary agenda that would be introduced. The meeting had also lasted longer than Edward was used to but he was refreshed by Neville Chamberlain and found him easy to talk to. Baldwin had always been cold and sharp, Chamberlain was friendly and open to reason. But Edward would have to mention Mrs Simpson soon. He was missing her enormously and he was secretly concerned about being parted from her, leaving her in the hands of Mountbatten who was a known womaniser. He was starting to become paranoid and even though he spoke to Mrs Simpson on the telephone every morning and every evening, the distance between them was a constant anguish. Churchill had written to the King urging him not to raise the idea of a marriage until after the coronation but in the end, Chamberlain mentioned it before the King had a chance to.

It was their third meeting in their official roles and Chamberlain seemed to be growing in confidence. "Now Your Majesty, I think we should discuss Mrs Simpson". The King had been taken aback but was pleased all the same.

"It really is too bad that she's stuck in Paris you know", the King said sadly. Chamberlain nodded, "Certainly it isn't an ideal situation. Your Majesty, I know that it is still your intention to marry Mrs Simpson. It is my intention to support this but I cannot guarantee the support of parliament or of the Dominions". Edward was fit to burst with happiness but taking a rare lesson from his mother, he remained stony faced. "I have seen the proposals drawn up by the Chancellor last year and I have to say, I consider them to be an ideal solution. So if Your Majesty is agreeable, this will be my m.o". The King was supposed to be leading the meeting but instead, he sat back and listened intently.

"Mrs Simpson will return from Paris next week. It is my suggestion that she be introduced to Queen Mary and other members of the Royal Family on a private basis. We can ensure a press silence. Mrs Simpson will need a permanent residence, she cannot stay in the home of her former husband and I'm asking Your Majesty to make some provision for this. Mrs Simpson will carry out no official duties but would be a guest at informal Royal gatherings. After Your Majesty's coronation and visit to India, we will introduce an act of parliament which will facilitate your morganatic marriage to Mrs Simpson. But I must ask for a few things in return Sir", Chamberlain warned. At this point, Edward was prepared to give anything. He could almost feel Wallis in the room, finally he would have what he wanted, "Go on Prime Minister".

"Firstly, Mrs Simpson will not attend the coronation and secondly, any wedding will be a small private affair", Chamberlain said efficiently. The first request jarred with Edward, he wanted Wallis there when he was crowned. He needed her support, he was desperate for her approval. But he knew it was pointless in arguing such a small point. He agreed. The Prime Minister then moved on in the agenda but Edward was too excited, "Prime Minister, would you mind if we called it a day? I have some things to do and we'll see each other tonight I believe at the dinner for the Worshipful Company of.....Engineers is it?". The Prime Minister looked a little surprised but then smiled, "Of course Your Majesty. Give Mrs Simpson my regards". Edward made his way to the telephone, "Yes, I will. I most certainly will".

The Prime Minister made his way back to Downing Street. In her Paris apartment, a frustrated Wallis was dressing for dinner. How could this have happened? How could she have been put out to pasture, stuck in a foreign country with hardly a trace of progress. She didn't even want to be Queen, she just wanted to be happily married. It was a nightmare. An unexpected telephone call from Edward however could only mean one thing; that the nightmare was going to get worse. She braced herself for bad news.

"Pack your things darling. You're coming home", he said.

 
10th February 1937

The Pathe News Reel began rolling to the crowded picture house; "Mrs Wallis Simpson returns to Britain after being away from the King since last November. There's no word as to where Mrs Simpson will now go. She is met by Lord Mountbatten but it's safe to say that if she has come back to our shores, there's only one man she wishes to see". The crossing from Calais had been calm but Wallis's mind had been turning over since the call from Edward 9 days ago. Mountbatten had been dispatched to meet her and would take her to Fort Belvedere where she would be staying. As they made their way from Dover, Mountbatten briefed her on the plan.

"Wallis, has David explained what's to happen?", he asked kindly. Wallis shook her head, her hair perfectly set and her trademark pearls in place. "All I know is that I was told to buy some smart clothes in Paris", she laughed, "I predict cocktail parties and I don't mind telling you Louis, after months alone in a Paris apartment I could do with company". Mountbatten smiled, "You're going to see Queen Mary tonight". The smile drained from Wallis' face. "Queen Mary?! Oh no, no, I don't think so Louis", she stammered. She'd met the Queen when she was presented at court and her impression of her had hardly changed. She was cold, frosty, imperious, starchy and she knew that the last thing Mary would want to do is meet the American divorcee who had led her son astray.

"The King met with Queen Mary this morning. They discussed things, she's agreed to meet you on the advice of the Prime Minister", Mountbatten said patiently. He took her hand, "You'll be fine Wallis. She isn't the old dragon you might think she is". Wallis' head began to spin. What would she say? What would she wear? Should she curtsey, should she call the King 'His Majesty' or 'David'? Would he be there? Before she could gather her thoughts, the car drew up to Fort Belvedere. Her worries were distinguished temporarily as the smiling face of the man she loved greeted her. She went to speak but he took her hand tightly and said, "I believe in you". Silently, they entered the Fort and dressed for dinner.

The drive to Marlborough House seemed to last a lifetime. Wallis had been so nervous that she'd even declined a glass of water in case she spilled it on her smart and simple black dress. She'd been conservative in her choice of attire, just a black evening gown in chiffon and velvet with the simplest jewellery. Nothing osentatious or showy, just simple and understated. The drawing room of Marlborough House was alive, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester chatting and quaffing champagne. The Yorks were notable by their absence. Marina was the first to greet the couple, kissing the King on the cheek and dropping a curtsey whilst she greeted Wallis with an air kiss and a warm, "How are you dear?". Alice was similarly welcoming, though Henry was more guarded and simply nodded with a "How do you do?". Wallis felt like a stranger at a wedding even though she'd seen the assembled company socially for the last decade.

As she chatted with Marina and Alice, their discussion was cut short by the entrance of Queen Mary. Mary was dressed in lilac and grey, helped along by a walking stick. To her credit, she didn't immediately gaze at Wallis but neither did she ignore her. She crossed the room to kiss her son and the men bowed and the women curtseyed. Edward led the introduction, "Mama, this is Wallis Simpson". Mary forced a smile and shook her hand, "How do you do Mrs Simpson?", she said pleasantly. At dinner, Wallis was seated next to Prince George and as she laughed with him, she couldn't help but realise that Mary was viewing her with a mixture of caution and intrigue. There was no opportunity for a big conversation between the two leading ladies of the meeting but neither was there animosity. Mary had agreed to make an effort for her son, she did so perfectly.

The meeting was reported in the press the next day, despite the Prime Minister's request for silence. "QUEEN MEETS WALLIS", the headline rang out. The public were surprised and excited. "If she's alright by Queen Mary, she's alright by me", one working class chap said cheerily in a news reel. It was the kind of response the King wanted but it would now force a statement. The Palace and Downing Street would have to agree on a public announcement. If they announced the marriage, it could be disastrous. Parliament still had to approve. But then the people would soon know of the plan when the Act of Parliament was introduced. It was time for a meeting of King and Cabinet.

13th February 1937

The King took his seat. The Cabinet sat in a circular arrangement, their papers set before them. "Good morning Gentlemen", he said. His opening statement had been rehearsed and approved by the Prime Minister; "Last night, at 8pm at Windsor Castle, I proposed marriage to Mrs Simpson. She accepted". Most of the Cabinet launched into applause but some simply looked at one another, the remnants of the Baldwin camp. "I am sure I speak for all of us when I say congratulations Your Majesty", Chamberlain said. History was about to be changed forever. The Royal Family would never be the same. As the meeting unfolded, agreements were made and finally a timeline was settled upon. On Valentine's Day 1937, the engagement between the King and Mrs Simpson would be announced. An Act of Parliament called "The Royal Marriages Act 1772, Amendment" would be brought before the House making provision for a King to marry with the consent of parliament in a morganatic arrangement. The act would also make provision for the Sovereign to change the title or style of his consort as he saw fit but Edward had agreed with the Cabinet that Mrs Simpson would never be known as Queen Wallis.

Instead, Wallis would be created a Princess and a Duchess in her own right with the style of 'Royal Highness' before the marriage. The wedding would take place in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle and would be a small intimate affair. After the marriage, Wallis would rank second in the Order of Precedence for women (after Queen Mary) and would undertake the same duties as a Queen Consort would. Any children from the marriage would not be entered into the Line of Succession. A review date was set for the 1st May 1950 when there would be an opportunity for change. Agreeable to all sides, the announcement was finally made at 10pm. But what of the dominions? Churchill's suggestion was to allow the individual governments to make their own decisions about Wallis's position which would save time and akward feeling but Chamberlain was less certain. It was finally agreed that in the Act of Parliament, provision would be made that Wallis would be known by her United Kingdom style and title in all British dominions, reinforced by Letters Patent. The marriage was secured but this was by no means over.

To be continued...
 
Thanks! I asked for it to be moved to a different forum cos I wasnt sure I'd posted it in the right one but it got moved here. Newbies mistake!!
 
Pre-Wedding and pre-Coronation, 1937

March was a month of legislation and paperwork. The file on the Royal Marriage at the Home Office was steadily growing with letters to the King and the Prime Minister being filed in their thousands. Most were positive but there was a significant amount of objections. The telegrams from Heads of State wishing the King well arrived in their hundreds but the response from the Dominions was mixed. Australia and Canada remained opposed to Wallis Simpson being Queen but could accept a morganatic marriage if the British Cabinet approved and the Archbishop of Canterbury presided at the wedding ceremony. The government of India was the most supportive but the idea of Wallis becoming Empress of India was rejected by the British Cabinet who said that this would lead to confusion as to Wallis' position in Britain.

The Act of Parliament was not recieved favourably by the House of Commons with speeches being made by backbenchers from all parties opposing the marriage. But with the Conservative and Liberal support, the act would pass. When it went to the Division Lobby, the Act passed by 78 votes. Not since the marital difficulties of William IV with Queen Caroline had parliament been so involved in Royal marriages. British law had gained a loophole. The King could now marry morganatically and the Line of Succession was secured in favour of the York family. The Act was given the Royal Assent on the 30th March 1937. In a fast-tracked naturalisation that had been used to make George V's German relatives British, Wallis was now a British citizen had returned to her maiden name of Wallis Warfield. Edward was eager to issue Letters Patent to give Wallis a Royal status but Chamberlain objected. In a letter to the King he wrote, "It is my advice that Your Majesty focus on the coronation and once crowned, Letters Patent would be more favourably recieved".

But the coronation had a stumbling block. The Archbishop of Canterbury had remained silent since his meeting with Edward back in 1936. He had lost an ally in Baldwin and now realised that he had no choice but to give the King his support publicly. But Lang was experiencing many sleepless nights and though he remained devoted to the idea of monarchy, he was now questioning his role in the coronation. To resign would be taken as a message of defiance or condemnation, to officiate would change the Church's stated position on divorce. A statement was needed but try as he might, the Archbishop wouldn't find the right words. He finally decided to make his position known at a sermon preached at Oxford University. "Divorce remains a sad and grave mistake but we must also look at the commandment to love our neighbour", he said, "And to love one's neighbour means to protect them from harm. When a divorce is the only solution to securing the well-being of someone in a desperately unhappy marriage where cruelty is a daily occurence, the Christian must remember this commandment". Neither the King, nor Mrs Simpson were mentioned by name but the Archbishop's comments were printed in the daily news. While most applauded his words, some of his colleagues were less than impressed. The Bishop of Derby condemned divorce and the Royal marriage in his Sunday sermon, whilst the Bishops of Bangor and Hereford stepped down from their positions.

Lang was now decided. He had made his public statement of support for the King but now he must go. In his statement of resignation, he stressed that age and ill-health forced him to step down and that it was "a great disappointment not to be able to officiate at the coronation as intended". His replacement would need to be a strong man but a man who had a clear record on the issues facing the United Kingdom. On Chamberlain's recommendation, the Bishop of Gloucester was appointed. Archbishop Headlam was a respected man and was known for his statements at the time of the General Strike in which he'd said that the Church should not interfere in government matters whilst setting up soup kitchens and relief centres in his diocese for those affected. He had also preached in favour of the King's marriage when the news broke in November 1936, stating that marriage was favourable to a man living in sin.

But Headlam came with this own demands. The King had asked that the communion service be omitted from the coronation ceremony, Headlam refused to allow this. On the other hand, the King had agreed that Mrs Simpson (now Ms Warfield) would be absent from the coronation. Headlam believed that if the Letters Patent were passed before the coronation, Wallis would have to be present. He was keen to point out that it was a fiancee's duty to pray for her intended spouse, especially at such a solemn occassion. The programme for the coronation was finally agreed upon and a date of June 1st set. Preparations began in earnest. The King would be crowned with St Edward's Crown after the anointing. The Royal Family would attend with Wallis present in a Princess's attire and coronet.

On the 1st May 1937, King Edward VIII issued Letters Patent. Using the precedent of the Princess Royal's titulary, Wallis Warfield was now Her Royal Highness Princess Wallis, Duchess of Lancaster. In the same document, it was pointed out that she was a member of the Royal House of Windsor. On the eve of his coronation, the King distributed honours as was the custom. Many expected Wallis to recieve the Order of the Garter but this honour went to the Dukes of Kent, Gloucester and York. Edward created Wallis a Dame Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, a gift he also gave to the Duchesses of Kent, York and Gloucester. Edward spent the night before his coronation in the company of Archbishop Headlam, praying. He had come so far, he had achieved so much in his personal life but tomorrow would begin a new chapter. Now, he would have to achieve much as a King.
 
The Coronation, 1st June 1937

The streets of London were full to bursting, the gates of Buckingham Palace were invisible behind a 35 deep crowd lined up to see the King on his way to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. Inside the Abbey, peers and their wives stood in their luxurious robes and coronets whilst Kings, Emperors and Presidents made their way to their seats. The scene was set, the Crown Jewels in place and the cast assembled. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Headlam, stood at the altar preparing for the King's arrival whilst the Great Officer's of State waited to escort the King from the great doors to the throne. The Royal Family began to arrive in their carriages. The Dowager Queen Mary made her way to the royal box that had been constructed, followed by George and Elizabeth, Duke Duchess of York and Henry and Alice, Duke Duchess of Gloucester. The congregation visibly craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Wallis, Duchess of Lancaster but she had arrived before anyone else, safely sat in the Royal box and spared the royal procession, though she would process out of the Abbey. She sat in the Royal box next to Queen Mary who had been generous in making jewels avaliable to her future daughter-in-law.

Wallis was glittering in the Delhi Durbar tiara and matching necklace of emeralds and diamonds, her long robe over a simple white silk gown. The King arrived to the Royal fanfare and the Abbey began the long service that would culminate in the King being crowned. In the congregation, Stanley Baldwin and Cosmo Lang who would have had things done very differently. Just 6 months ago, they were certain that the Duke of York would be sitting in Edward's chair. As Elizabeth shot a distinctly venomous look towards Wallis, Baldwin whispered to Lang, "It seems the Houses of York and Lancaster are at war once more". The Archbishop allowed himself a smile.

The canopy was held aloft and the King anointed. Whatever happened now, Edward was a consecrated King before God. As men and women came forward to offer allegiance, the words they spoke ran as a commentary to the marriage crisis. The words were spoken also by Wallis. Mounting the dais, she kneeled before Edward and said in her recognisable American twang, "I Wallis, Duchess of Lancaster, do become your leige of life and limb and of earthly worship; and faith and truth will I bear unto you to live and die against all manner of folks. So help me God". She rose and kissed the King on the cheek as prescribed and returned to her seat. In a month's time, he would kiss her as she legally became his wife.

The Wedding, 20th August 1937

The wedding of the King and the Princess was always intended to be private and quiet but the interest of the people was too great. At every turn, the press were there to cover details about what Princess Wallis would wear and who would and who wouldn't attend. Chamberlain had stressed to the couple that a low-key ceremony would be best but Edward's foreign relatives made this tricky and before anyone could object, the Kings of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Romania and Yugoslavia were on their way with their families. The Duke of Gloucester would serve as the King's best man whilst the young Prince Edward of Kent would be page. Bridesmaids were present in the shape of the daughters of Lord Mountbatten, Patricia and Pamela. The bride wore pale violet and Queen Alexandra's Fringe Tiara, the groom looked dashing in his uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. The road had been long, the journey rocky. But finally they stood before the Archbishop of Canterbury in St George's Chapel. The hymn "Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer" rang out through the Chapel and the public's only view of the bride and groom would be as they descended the stairs as man and wife before being driven by carriage to the castle for their reception. The honeymoon would be combined with their visit to India where the King would be officially crowned Emperor of India.

A new chapter had begun in Britain. The shadow of war was once again looming but 1937 had been a year of celebration for the British. Millions had enjoyed street parties both for the coronation and for the Royal wedding and the feeling of optimism was present everywhere. A hurdle had been jumped successfully but there would be many more to come for Edward and Wallis.
 
A few problems with this though it is interesting.
You're ignoring the view of the Dominions - in this case Canada, Ireland (which is still a Kingdom), South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
As Edward was seperately now King of those dominions any marriage is going to need their consent and any amendment to the succession is going to have to go through their Parliaments as well as the British one. In fact it was their widespread condemnation of the suggestion of the marriage that largely persuaded Edward that the case was futile. India's view was irrelevant as the Empire didn't have Dominion status and was still technically governed from London.
Once Edward informed Baldwin of his intentions Baldwin telegraphed them - much has been made of the tone and to be fair not all universally condemned the idea of marriage outright but in the end they opposed the marriage one even said it had gone too far and whether he married her or gave her up he should abdicate. Most were very lukewarm about the morganatic idea largely because Baldwin and most of the Cabinet believed it was a holding offer and that in time Edward would push for her to become Queen with "full rights".
Wallis's divorce was granted in October 1936 however it would be six months before becoming final - any meeting between them after it becomes public that they are a couple would cause significant problems (Divorce law strictly forbade couples from meeting before the decree absolute six months later)
As King, Edward was exempt from the provisions of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 (which actually requires Royal consent for all the descendants of George II). There is no legal barrier on who a reigning monarch marries once he becomes monarch apart from the religious one. However it would be and was at the time regarded as impossible for a monarch to act against the advice of ministers. Baldwin had already gained the agreements of the leaders of the Liberal and Labour Parties that if he was forced to resign they would not accept an invitation to form a Government (only Churchill refused to commit himself on that score)
For any morganatic marriage to be legal you would need an act of parliament as you describe (though not an ammendment to the RMA more likely an ammendment to the Act of Settlement) and that Act would need also to be accepted and passed by every other Dominion Parliament - which opens up much scope for debate. Does she receive the civil list provision for a Queen Consort.What is her role? You imply she will act as Consort officially but not bear the style Queen - Edward's own suggestion to Baldwin was that she wouldn't she would simply accompany him on private engagements and live with him at the Palace but on official state occassions would not be present (presumably Queen Mary or his sisters in law would deputize on those occassions) it was another reason Baldwin and the Cabinet didn't like the idea of a morganatic marriage.
As Monarch, Edward has to sign the Oath that he is a true Protestant and will preserve the protestant religion etc which he duly did. By signing it he is effectively making it impossible for him to marry a woman with two husbands living as the Church of England did not permit the remarriage of divorcees (and didn't until 2002).
Cosmo Lang as Archbishop of Canterbury was exceptionally traditional - he had little time for Edward (who equally didn't trust his father's old friend either) - Lang was and would remain very close friends with the York's (particularly the Duchess). In fact in OTL he was nicknamed AULD LANG SWINE for his address to the nation in which he attacked the then Duke of Windsor and his circle of friends (though it was pretty much the view of much of Edward's family who preferred to blame all the problems on Wallis and certain of their friends like Emerald Cunard).
Marina Duchess of Kent may not have been overly fond of her two existing sisters in law but she had no time for Wallis (and in OTL after the abdication refused to visit Edward and Wallis even enlisting the support of her sister in law Elizabeth to get round an edict from George VI that she should go).
Chamberlain is a very unlikely champion - he in OTL was quite antagonistic to Edward VIII - in fact in rows over money and the civil list (after the abdication) he was determined to get George VI out of the deals he'd made with Edward VIII. He was on record as having told his sister that the only royalty he liked was the Duchess of York.
By tradition reigning monarchs don't attend Coronations (apart from their own) - Queen Mary and her sister in law Queen Maud of Norway were the only two crowned head to attend George VI's coronation at Queen Mary's personal request (to show support for the new regime after the mess of the abdication).
British prince's do not have Best Men they have two supporters (in Edward's case would be expected to be two of his brothers). Louis Mountbatten was known as "Dickie" within the Royal Family.
The rumours about the Duke of York's health were just that - rumours, In fact he was actually in excellent health and quite fit and active. At no time did the cabinet or Baldwin consider over stepping him. At no time did they consider the Duke of Kent and given his recent past it was hardly suprising, the Duke and Duchess of York were quite popular in the twenties and thirties and the two princesses were immensley popular particularly the Princess Elizabeth (not for nothing did Wallis refer to the York's as Mr and Mrs Temple - ie parents of the child star Shirley).
There was a lot of support on the surface for the marriage - and there are numerous letters surviving from ordinary people to that effect still in the Royal Archives - however that doesn't remove the fact that thre was considerable opposition to it as well. Opinion was divided and would probably have remained so.
 
You're ignoring the view of the Dominions - in this case Canada, Ireland (which is still a Kingdom), South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
As Edward was seperately now King of those dominions any marriage is going to need their consent and any amendment to the succession is going to have to go through their Parliaments as well as the British one. In fact it was their widespread condemnation of the suggestion of the marriage that largely persuaded Edward that the case was futile. India's view was irrelevant as the Empire didn't have Dominion status and was still technically governed from London.

Firstly, thanks for your comments! The Dominions opinions were important if the marriage was to go ahead non-morganatically. If a morganatic marriage was arranged, the position would have been very different. According to Charles Higham and Susan Williams who have written accounts of Edward and Wallis' lives, the telegrams that Baldwin sent made no mention of a morganatic marriage. Had he done so, the view would probably have changed which I've taken as being the altered TL here.

Wallis's divorce was granted in October 1936 however it would be six months before becoming final - any meeting between them after it becomes public that they are a couple would cause significant problems (Divorce law strictly forbade couples from meeting before the decree absolute six months later)
Well yes but that was between Wallis and Ernest, not Wallis and Edward as Edward wasn't cited in the divorce as a party of responsibility.
For any morganatic marriage to be legal you would need an act of parliament as you describe (though not an ammendment to the RMA more likely an ammendment to the Act of Settlement) and that Act would need also to be accepted and passed by every other Dominion Parliament - which opens up much scope for debate.


According to the accounts of Samuel Hoare, the suggestion was that the RMA would have to be amended and not the Act of Settlement. There was debate over this but obviously it never came to a conclusion.


Does she receive the civil list provision for a Queen Consort.What is her role? You imply she will act as Consort officially but not bear the style Queen - Edward's own suggestion to Baldwin was that she wouldn't she would simply accompany him on private engagements and live with him at the Palace but on official state occassions would not be present (presumably Queen Mary or his sisters in law would deputize on those occassions) it was another reason Baldwin and the Cabinet didn't like the idea of a morganatic marriage.

The issue of the Civil List pay will come in the next installment! Edward did indeed suggest the idea of Wallis taking no official role but this was rejected by Baldwin who said that Wallis couldn't take civil list pay and do nothing for it. Obviously in this TL, that changes significantly.

As Monarch, Edward has to sign the Oath that he is a true Protestant and will preserve the protestant religion etc which he duly did. By signing it he is effectively making it impossible for him to marry a woman with two husbands living as the Church of England did not permit the remarriage of divorcees (and didn't until 2002).

They did when the reason for the divorce was cruelty. Poor Ernest Simpson is slandered in this TL but it was something Edward pressed.

Cosmo Lang as Archbishop of Canterbury was exceptionally traditional - he had little time for Edward (who equally didn't trust his father's old friend either) - Lang was and would remain very close friends with the York's (particularly the Duchess). In fact in OTL he was nicknamed AULD LANG SWINE for his address to the nation in which he attacked the then Duke of Windsor and his circle of friends (though it was pretty much the view of much of Edward's family who preferred to blame all the problems on Wallis and certain of their friends like Emerald Cunard).

True. And because he was very traditional, I think once the King placated him he'd settle down a little in his view but thats something we'd never be sure of.


Marina Duchess of Kent may not have been overly fond of her two existing sisters in law but she had no time for Wallis (and in OTL after the abdication refused to visit Edward and Wallis even enlisting the support of her sister in law Elizabeth to get round an edict from George VI that she should go).

Only after the abdication. Before that, Wallis and Marina met quite alot and infact, when Prince and Princess Michael visited the Duchess in Paris she gave Marie-Christine one of Marina's gifts to her. Once the abdication was certain, Marina followed the Duchess of York's example but Marina wasn't very keen on Elizabeth as you rightly state; "Common little Scots girl" was just one of her favourite insults.


By tradition reigning monarchs don't attend Coronations (apart from their own) - Queen Mary and her sister in law Queen Maud of Norway were the only two crowned head to attend George VI's coronation at Queen Mary's personal request (to show support for the new regime after the mess of the abdication).

Absolutely and I thought that in this case, Mary would be required to show her approval. :)

Thankyou for your comments! I know alot of this TL oversteps reality but I think in general it's all fairly plausible. This is where it'll get harder, as I invent a whole reign for the King!


 
Wallis would not be given any kind of title until her wedding day. Even the current royal consort, Prince Phillip, had to wait until his wedding day to be made Duke of Edinburgh and be called "HRH" again (after renouncing his Greek titles he as known simply as "Lt. Phillip Mountbatten, RN"). Although she would resume her maiden name after the divorce just like she did in OTL, "Ms" didn't exist yet, she'd be Mrs Wallis Warfield (as strange as using "Mrs" with her maiden name seems it was correct practice).
 
I didn't know that about 'Ms', thankyou!

With regard to her title, a morganatic marriage has no precedent in England so they'd look abroad for an example; probably Belgium or Romania where women were given titles in their own right prior to marriage. Also, as Wallis wouldn't have recieved any title upon her marriage (it being morganatic), Letters Patent would be needed to create her a Royal Princess and Royal Duchess which following the European style, would have been issued before her wedding. Also, issuing the LP before the wedding would have enabled her to attend the coronation.
 
"Well yes but that was between Wallis and Ernest, not Wallis and Edward as Edward wasn't cited in the divorce as a party of responsibility."

Nope the law forbade couples who intended to marry from meeting whilst the divorce of one of the parties to the subsequent marriage were awaiting their decree absolute - this was in part to avoid allegations of collusion. IE a put up job to free one party to remarry. It was irrelevant if one of the parties was named as the co-respondent (in fact Wallis was divorcing Simpson on grounds of his adultery - to ensure Wallis' reputation as was common at the time)
Simpson's divorce was already receiving accusations of collusion in fact in OTL a formal protest was lodged and probably only got pushed out of the way because the court and the Government felt that having abdicated Edward shouldn't be deprived of his future wife.

As far as I am aware the Church of England condoned civil remarriage which involved the innocent party of a divorce. And there were plenty within in the church who believed that marriage in the case of cruelty or adultery was also acceptable. That didn't follow that a subsequent remarriage could take place in church. Given that Wallis' second divorce was a huge put up job (in any tl) and that the grounds of her first divorce were dubious (one prelate firmly stating that in his view her first divorce wouldn't have been recognised in English law) - there is not a cat in hells chance under any circumstances that any Bishop of the Church of England would marry them.

If you think Lang is going to be as amenable as you imply you are really reaching too far - you have to get rid of him before 1936 for any chance of this happening. He was distinctly excluded and complained about it - much of what he heard was second hand but his view was the Church view and wouldn't shift.

Ammendments to the RMA were made because after the abdication Edward VIII remained a descendant of George II requiring Royal Consent for any marriage (consent that George VI never gave) - so quite rightly he was excluded from the RMA by legislation in order to enable him to marry.

The RMA is silent on the marriage of a reigning monarch.

Williams and Higham are wrong - this is the text of the December 5th Telegram from The Australian Prime Minister ...

"The clear opinion of my government, the Commonwealth parliament and Australian people is unfavourable to such a marriage,
There would be outspoken hostility to His Majesty's proposed wife becoming Queen while any proposal that she should become Consort and not Queen and that her issue should be barred from succession would not be approved by my government nor on my advice could any government be formed in Commonwealth Parliament which would be prepared to sponsor legislation sanctioning such course,"

It is true as Williams states that there was strong support for marriage but that the Establishment was highly against the marriage.
 
Top