- King Edward VIII abdicated the throne
- He did it to marry Wallis Simpson
- King Charles has now surpassed his reign
'The King's Speech' was a film that captivated the entire planet and even won a few Oscars. It's all to do with how King George VI took over the throne for his brother King Edward VIII, who infamously abdicated the throne due to his ongoing love affair with the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. When Edward decided to give up power, the news became an international headline that saw incredible instability in Britain, due to the fact that they were in the middle of a conflict with a Germany that was about to start World War II. It is one of the most talked about chapters in the monarchy's history.
Charles is already breaking royal records
And now, the current monarch King Charles III can say he has sat on the throne for longer than King Edward VIII. Despite being monarch for less than a year, he has already been king for longer. This week, Charles officially eclipsed the reign length of his great-uncle Edward who was on the throne for just 325 days. Charles immediately acceded his mother as monarch following her death on Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96.
Also interesting:
Who would have thought?
Wow! THIS Is How Much Charles' Robe Weighed At The Coronation
One can't help but draw comparisons to his mother. While Charles has had his whole life to prepare to serve as sovereign, Queen Elizabeth’s fate changed as a child when her uncle shockingly relinquished his royal role. The story of how Edward and Wallis' romance changed the monarchy forever reached new audiences with Netflix’s hit series 'The Crown'. Charles is hoping he can leave an indelible mark on the throne as well...but obviously for different reasons.
For now, the King can celebrate having surpassed one of his most infamous predecessors.
