The former Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor, with his wife Wallis Simpson after his abdicationBritain strongly urged the Irish Government nearly fifty years ago not to release key 1936 records about King Edward VIII’s abdication, especially a key conversation between Éamon de Valera and a top British official. Displaying the sensitivity surrounding the abdication even 30 years on, London was deeply worried in June 1967 that Irish records could bring an unwelcome public gaze onto the still-sensitive controversy. The Duke of Windsor, formerly Edward the VIII, and Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson. Such a proposal was “impractical”, Baldwin told de Valera: “In order to avert danger further delay ... But situation has become so grave that it brooks no delay.” Edward abdicated six days later.

Source: The Irish Times December 27, 2025 07:31 UTC