Did King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson Get Married?

Yes, King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson did get married. Their union took place on June 3, 1937, marking a significant moment in British history. After King Edward VIII's abdication in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée, this event marked a departure from traditional royal customs.

Abdication and Wedding in France

King Edward VIII's abdication came about due to his wish to marry Wallis Simpson, who was a divorced woman. At that time, the Church of England and the British monarchy both disapproved of marrying a divorced person. After his abdication, King Edward was granted the title Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson in a private ceremony in France on June 3, 1937.

Life After the Marriage

The couple lived much of their later lives in Paris, where Edward passed away in 1972. They remained married for many years but did not have any children together. Following Duke of Windsor's death, Wallis Simpson did not remarry and lived until the mid-to-late 1980s.

Public and Private Ceremonies

King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson's wedding ceremony was particularly notable for its privacy. According to royal historian Todd Steven Greenspan, the couple chose the date of Edward's father's birthday, June 3, to get married. Interestingly, the entire British royal family either declined to attend or avoided the event, highlighting the significant shift in royal ethics and customs.

Postabdication Life and Exile

Once King Edward VIII abdicated the throne, he was forced into exile. He could not set foot in England again throughout his life. Instead, he and Wallis Simpson spent much of their time in Paris, where they experienced a different lifestyle and a lower profile than the one they would have had as King and Queen.