Edward VIII Post Box

We've discovered another Edward VIII post box in Sheffield, this time at the corner of Rowdale Crescent and Somercotes Road (S12). Last time, we dove into the history of the post box itself, but today, let's have a quick look at the man behind the cypher:

Edward (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David), born on June 23 1894, was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. He became the Prince of Wales in 1911 and was known for his charm and modern outlook, which made him popular with the public. However, his reign as king was brief and tumultuous.

Edward ascended the throne on January 20 1936, following the death of his father. His desire to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, caused a constitutional crisis. The British government, the Church of England, and the public opposed the marriage, as it conflicted with societal norms and the Church’s teachings on marriage and divorce.

Faced with this opposition, Edward chose to abdicate the throne on December 11 1936, becoming the only British monarch to voluntarily relinquish the crown. He was succeeded by his younger brother, George VI.

After the abdication, Edward was given the title Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson in France on June 3 1937. The couple lived in exile, primarily in France and the United States, and Edward never returned to any significant public role in Britain. During World War II, he served briefly as Governor of the Bahamas.

Edward died on May 28 1972, in Paris. His abdication remains one of the most significant events in British royal history, highlighting the conflict between personal desires and royal duties.