Abandoned coronation of Edward VIII: History and Background

The planned coronation of King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom was scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey on 12 May 1937, a date that had been selected and widely publicised well in advance. In anticipation of the historic event, extensive preparations were underway, and a variety of commemorative souvenirs had already been produced and made available for sale. However, the coronation never occurred. On 11 December 1936, Edward abdicated the throne amid a constitutional crisis triggered by his determination to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite and divorcée. His decision met with strong political and public resistance, ultimately leading to his renunciation of the throne. The abrupt cancellation of the coronation left manufacturers and retailers with large stocks of now-obsolete memorabilia, and coins bearing Edward’s image, which were scheduled for release in January 1937, were withdrawn and melted down. Edward's brother George VI and sister-in-law Elizabeth were crowned on the same date instead.

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