Coronation of Edward VIII
Medal
1937 (dated)
1937 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal was issued to commemorate the planned Coronation of Prince of Wales Edward to become King Edward VIII and is made by an unknown medallist in England in ca. 1937. Edward VIII was King of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India from January-December 1936.
In 1930, the then Prince of Wales met and fell in love with a married American woman, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Concern about Edward's private life grew in the Cabinet, opposition parties and the Dominions. It was not so much that Mrs Simpson was a commoner: rather, she was an American, twice-divorced commoner. When in 1936 Mrs Simpson obtained a divorce it became clear that Edward was about to marry her. Finally Edward had to choose between the Crown and Mrs. Wallis. On 10 December 1936, Edward VIII signed an Instrument of Abdication which was given legal effect the following day, when he ceased to be King. In 1937, Edward was created Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson.
In 1930, the then Prince of Wales met and fell in love with a married American woman, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Concern about Edward's private life grew in the Cabinet, opposition parties and the Dominions. It was not so much that Mrs Simpson was a commoner: rather, she was an American, twice-divorced commoner. When in 1936 Mrs Simpson obtained a divorce it became clear that Edward was about to marry her. Finally Edward had to choose between the Crown and Mrs. Wallis. On 10 December 1936, Edward VIII signed an Instrument of Abdication which was given legal effect the following day, when he ceased to be King. In 1937, Edward was created Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Coronation of Edward VIII (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal and box, bronze, Coronation of King Edward VIII, unknown medallist, England, dated 1937 |
| Physical description | Obverse: King Edward VIII right facing. Inscribed. Reverse: Britannia stands between two columns in the foreground holding aloft a crown in her right hand and a flag in her left. In the background is St. Paul's Cathedral, the ocean and a battleship. Inscribed. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Given by Professor J. Hull Grundy and Mrs. Ann Hull Grundy, in 1979. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | This medal was issued to commemorate the planned Coronation of Prince of Wales Edward to become King Edward VIII and is made by an unknown medallist in England in ca. 1937. Edward VIII was King of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India from January-December 1936. In 1930, the then Prince of Wales met and fell in love with a married American woman, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Concern about Edward's private life grew in the Cabinet, opposition parties and the Dominions. It was not so much that Mrs Simpson was a commoner: rather, she was an American, twice-divorced commoner. When in 1936 Mrs Simpson obtained a divorce it became clear that Edward was about to marry her. Finally Edward had to choose between the Crown and Mrs. Wallis. On 10 December 1936, Edward VIII signed an Instrument of Abdication which was given legal effect the following day, when he ceased to be King. In 1937, Edward was created Duke of Windsor and married Wallis Simpson. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.10:1-1979 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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