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Overview
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Edward would make one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the House of Windsor. Long groomed and prepared to become the King of England, once he ascended to the throne he decided to renounce his claim in order that he might marry Mrs Simpson, an American Catholic divorcee. At the time, this created a huge constitutional crisis for the British government. It did not help that the period was diplomatically highly unsettled with the spread of totalitarianism in mainland Europe. Britain could ill afford to have such constitutional uncertaintly with the likes of Hitler and Stalin posturing for influence. As it was, he was forced to abdicate in favour of his younger brother. With the benefit of hindsight, it was probably a good move for Britain as Edward would show a lack of political common sense by touring Fascist Germany and sympathising openly with the totalitarian strongmen. During the Fall of France, Edward and Mrs Simpson had to be evacuated for fear of falling in to the hands of the Germans and being used as potential puppet leaders should Britain fall. They were sent to Bermuda to keep them out of harm's way.
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