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Loose item - News clipping, Abdication speech excerpts

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Karen Dykes
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2022-03-09
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passed on July 28, 2024 at 05:35
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A newspaper clipping - reprinting abdication speech by King Edward in 1936

Date created Transcript
  • Oi.iy dward was the r of the White /-one years he ilist :kies ntain tops and just he dark rocky wall rs come tumbling id tinkling, draw- ght between the ng sun and the * O’Hara seems l spots on earth. Ms of Paradise !s on Sentinel id in one day centre! ,de the whole enjoyed the nuch as the i. Then took o cross the ht in the offers. We c Lakes and st imposing from Jasper twenty miles e almost too 1 Dome glac- ge Columbia s going to be iful stretches a the world.’* His Last Message ? OWING to a large number of requests for copies of former King Edward’s address to the Empire, following his abdication, it is now reprinted. The former monarch spoke from the Augusta Tower of Windsor Castle, his words being carried to every corner of the British Empire by radio. His message follows: “At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and. Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first word must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. “You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne, but I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the Empire, which, as Prince of Wales, and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve, but you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love, and the decision that I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. ‘‘The other person most nearly concerned, has tried to the last to persuaclfc me to take a different course. “I have made this most serious decision of my life only upon the single thought of what would in the end, be best for all. “This decision has been made less difficult to me by the foreknowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country, and with his fine qualities will be able to take my place forthwith, without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the Empire. “And he had one blessing, enjoyed by so many of you and not bestowed on me, a happy home with his wife and children. “During these hard days, I have been comforted by Her Majesty, my mother, and by my family. The ministers of the crown and most particularly Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional differences between me and them and between me and Parliament. “Following in constitutional tradition of my father, I should never have allowed any ^ich issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the Throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all.classes of people wherever I have lived and journeyed throughout the Empire. “For that I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. “It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and Empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in private station, I shall not fail. “And now we all have a new King, and prosperity with all my heart. I wish him and you, his people, happiness “GOD BLESS YOU ALL. GOD SAVE THE KING.*
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