Thursday, December 4, 2008

Royal crisis continues as Baldwin remains firm

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 December 4, 1936 

King Edward VIII was largely alone today, apart from a visit from Prime Minister Baldwin. The king has had to wrestle with a tough decision: renounce his throne or leave the woman he loves. He remains at Fort Belvedere with only a few palace aides and secretaries. He had received no visits from his mother, Queen Mary, or other members of his family. Mrs. Simpson is now in France, having said goodbye to the king at Fort Belvedere yesterday evening. There is a "growing impression that the King would join her as a royal exile in a few days." 

Prime Minister Baldwin spent about an hour with the king, who was "so distracted, according to one report, that he could not transact the every-day business of State." Millions of his subjects appear to favor the marriage, despite the objections of Parliament and the Cabinet. Outside the Palace, a growing number of demonstrators gathered outside, shouting "We want Edward." Another group demonstrated outside the home of the Duke and Duchess of York, shouting." e want Eddie. We want his missus." 

Others shouted: "Edward's right; Baldwin's wrong!" There were numerous protests in the king's favor throughout London. The tabloid newspapers have come out supporting the King in his battle with the prime minister. One paper demands: "Tell us the facts, Mr. Baldwin. The nation insists on knowing the King's full demands and conditions." However, there appears no real solution to the matter of the king's marriage.

 A morganatic marriage has already been ruled out, and the king's "abdication appeared tonight to be the only probable way out."

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