abdication crisis

Abdication crisis, 1936. A constitutional scandale stemming from the determination of Edward VIII to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson, an American lady who had divorced her first husband and was about to divorce her second. At first Edward hoped that he might enter into morganatic marriage. Baldwin, prime minister, issued an ultimatum: the king must choose between the throne and Mrs Simpson. Edward chose the latter, and abdicated on 11 December.