King Edward VIII's Abdication Speech 1936

this is Windsor Castle is Royal Highness Prince Edward but at long last I am able to say a few words of my own I have never wanted to withhold anything but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak a few hours ago i discharged my last duty as king and Emperor and now that I have been succeeded by my brother the Duke of York my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him this I do with all my heart you all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne but I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the Empire which as Prince of Wales and lately as King I have for 25 years tried to serve but you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love and I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone this was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself the other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course I have made this the most serious decision of my life only upon the single thought of what would in the end be best for all this decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the Empire and he has one matchless blessing enjoyed by so many of you and not bestowed on me a happy home with his wife and children during these hard days I have been comforted by her majesty my mother and by her by my family the ministers of the crown and in particular mr. Baldwin the Prime Minister I've always treated me with full consideration there has never been any constitutional difference between me and them and between me and Parliament bread in the constitutional tradition by my father I should never have allowed any such issue to arise ever since I was Prince of Wales and later on when I occupied the throne I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people for ever I have lived or journeyed throughout the Empire for that I am very grateful I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden it may be some time before I return to my native land but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and Empire was profound interest and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private station I shall not fail and now we all have a new king I wish him and you his people happiness and prosperity with all my heart god bless you all god save the king

Channel: adam28xx

Views: 890,572

Keywords: Abdication, 1936, King Edward VIII, Abdication Speech, Duke of Windsor, Edward VIII Of The United Kingdom (Monarch)

Id: wBn06A-sdok

Length: 7min 3sec (423 seconds)

Published: Fri Dec 16 2011