The Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII, is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the British monarchy.
His reign, which lasted only a few months, was marked by scandal and controversy, culminating in his abdication from the throne in 1936. Here then is the Duke’s life, reign, and legacy, and the factors that led to his fall from grace.
LIFE BEFORE THE THRONE

The Duke of Windsor, born Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary.
He was born on June 23, 1894, and was educated at home by private tutors. In 1911, he entered the Royal Naval College at Osborne, and later attended the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth.
During World War I, the Duke served in the British Army and saw action in France. After the war, he pursued a career in the military, rising to the rank of colonel.
In 1931, he was appointed Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, a position he held for four years. Edward ascended to the throne on 20 January 1936.
WALLIS SIMPSON & CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS
Only a few months into his reign, Edward caused a constitutional crisis after proposing marriage to Wallis Simpson, a divorced American socialite. The Duke’s relationship with Simpson caused a scandal in the British royal family and the wider public, and was opposed by the Church of England. The marriage would conflict with Edward status as Head of the Church.
In addition the British government, led by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, was opposed to the Duke’s relationship with Simpson and feared that it would damage the reputation of the monarchy. The government’s response to the crisis was to pressure the Duke to end his relationship with Simpson or risk losing the throne.
Having been told that he couldn’t marry, Edward abdicated after only 326 days into his reign.
AFTER ABDICATION
Following his abdication, the Duke of Windsor was exiled from Britain and lived in France and later in the Bahamas. In exile, the he lived a life of luxury and continued to be involved in social and political activities.
The Duke’s relationship with Wallis Simpson continued after his abdication, and the couple remained together for the rest of their lives. They were married in France in 1937 and had a close relationship, despite the controversy surrounding their relationship.
During World War II, the Duke of Windsor was appointed Governor of the Bahamas, where he served from 1940 – 1945.
NAZI SYMPATHISER?

However the Duke’s supposed closeness to the Nazis was something that dogged him until his death. During his lifetime, there were rumours and allegations that the Duke sympathized with the Nazi regime and collaborated with them during World War II.
In 1937, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor had visited Germany, where they met with Adolf Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials.
The visit was criticized by many in Britain and abroad, and it fueled speculation about the Duke’s political sympathies.
After the war, documents were discovered that suggested that the Duke had collaborated with the Nazis during the war. The documents, which were part of the German Foreign Office files, included letters and telegrams that suggested that the Duke had provided information to the Germans and had expressed support for their cause.
However, the full extent of the Duke’s relationship with the Nazis remains unclear, and many historians and scholars continue to debate the issue. Some argue that the Duke was simply naive and misguided, while others believe that he was actively collaborating with the Nazis.
POST WAR & LATER LIFE

After the war, the Duke returned to Britain and was largely excluded from public life. He was not invited to the coronation of his niece, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953, and he lived a relatively quiet life until his death in 1972.
He was something a celebrity overseas, however, and often entertained fellow Heads of States including several US presidents (such as Richard Nixon – pictured).
Despite his controversial reign and his exile from Britain, the Duke of Windsor remains a fascinating and enigmatic figure in the history of the British monarchy around the world.