History Today: How Edward VIII Became the only English Monarch to Abdicate the Throne

King Edward VIII abdicates British throne

Today is Thursday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2025. There are 20 days left in the year.

History Today: How Edward VIII became the only English monarch to abdicate the throne

The world watched in shock as Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne on December 11, 1936. The decision came when it became clear that the combined power of the government, the Church, and the public were opposed to the idea of Wallis Simpson ever becoming his Queen. On this day in 1946, Unicef was created to provide relief to children in Europe in the aftermath of the World War II

Dec. 11 – Edward VIII announces his abdication

After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII becomes the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He chose to abdicate after the British government, public, and the Church of England condemned his decision to marry the American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. On the evening of December 11, he gave a radio address on the BBC in which he explained, “I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility an…