CORONATION KING EDWARD VIII – “Coronation of Edward VIII” – Canvas map released in honor of the coronation of King Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, who abdicated the throne to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson. Edward VIII had the shortest reign of any British monarch, lasting less than a year, in 1936.
At the center of the map is an image of Edward VIII against a backdrop of British flags, with the year 1937. Two world maps highlight the territories under British control.
Edward VIII (1894–1972) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, and its dominions from January 20, 1936, until his abdication on December 11, 1936. After the death of his father, King George V, Edward ascended to the throne. His decision to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, caused a major scandal, as British law did not allow such a marriage for a reigning monarch. Faced with this opposition, Edward chose to abdicate the throne. British law did not previously have any legal provision for a king’s resignation, so the British Parliament passed a special law the next day to approve his abdication and strip his descendants of royal titles.
After abdicating, Edward was granted the symbolic title “His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor.” He and Wallis Simpson moved to France, where they were married and later lived in both the United States and France. For many years, Edward was largely estranged from the royal family, but before his death, he was visited by his niece, Queen Elizabeth II, and her son, Prince Charles, at his Paris home. Edward passed away shortly after.
Memorabilia from Edward’s brief reign, such as this canvas map, are extremely rare.
Size: 32×23 cm. Condition: good.
