Edward VIII ascended to the United Kingdom's throne on January 20, 1936. He was later associated with allegations of Nazi sympathies, and Adolf Hitler was reportedly recorded lamenting his abdication.
Edward, the eldest son of George V, served in World War I and was known for his charm and fashion sense, which contributed to his public popularity.
Shortly after becoming king, he faced significant opposition regarding his determination to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.
Prime ministers of the UK's dominions expressed objections to the marriage, which presented Edward with the potential resignation of the UK government.
Consequently, he abdicated his throne. He and Simpson were subsequently appointed Duke and Duchess of Windsor under the reign of his younger brother, George VI.
Edward's tenure as king lasted 326 days.
In 1937, the couple toured Nazi-led Germany, where Edward performed Nazi salutes and received considerable respect.
Edward stated his support for the policy of appeasement toward Hitler, citing a desire to prevent a new outbreak of violence after WWI. However, some UK government members, including future Prime Minister Winston Churchill, were reportedly suspicious of Edward's inclinations. Albert Speer recorded Adolf Hitler expressing regret over Edward's abdication, suggesting conflict between the UK and Germany might have been averted had he remained king.
During WWII, Edward denied claims by a German ambassador that he had leaked Allied defence plans for Belgium to the Nazis. In 1940, he was appointed Governor of the Bahamas, an assignment many historians speculate was intended to keep him from German influence, potentially preventing his installation as a puppet king in a conquered England.
Following the war, Edward acknowledged admiring the German people but denied being a Nazi sympathizer, describing Hitler as "ridiculous" in his memoirs. Reports, however, continued to circulate that his private views differed.
He died in Paris in 1977.