KING EDWARD VIII - PROGRAM SIGNED - HFSID 101421

EDWARD VIII (DUKE OF WINDSOR)
Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor) signs a program for the Opening ceremony for the Gunthorpe Bridge.
Program Cover signed: "Edward P", as Prince of Wales, 3p separate, 5¼x7¼. London, England,1927 November 17.Titled: "New Gunthorpe Bridge". Held at the Gunthrope Bridge. Lightly soiled and stained. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by: Program unsigned titled: "Gunthorope Bridge 1927-1987 Diamond Jubilee", 40p, 5¾x8¼. Fine condition. And Program unsigned titled: "Gunthorope Bridge 1086-1987 Historical Record", 16p, 5¾x8. Fine condition. Edward (1894-1972), the eldest son of Britain's King George V and Queen Mary, was created Prince of Wales in 1911.During WWI, he served as a staff officer in France, Egypt and Italy and was Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire. When King George V died in January 1936, Edward became England's first bachelor King in 176 years. There were official protests opposing his proposal to marry American divorcee and elevate as Queen, Mrs. Wallis Warfield Simpson and elevate her to Queen. Met by unyielding opposition by his ministers, Edward chose to abdicate in December 1936, after less than 11 months on the throne. Created Duke of Windsor by his brother and successor, King George VI, he married Wallis the following June. The Duke and Duchess lived abroad, primarily in France and the U.S., returning to England only twice (1952 and 1953) before being formally invited to a ceremony honoring Edward's mother in 1967. Both the Duke and Duchess (who died in 1986) are buried on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Three items.