Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson have been depicted in popular culture, both biographical and fictional, following his abdication in 1936 and their marriage the following year.

Literature

Film and television

The abdication of Edward VIII was featured in the multi-award-winning historical drama film The King’s Speech, in which his decision to stand down was depicted solely upon his desire to marry Wallis Simpson. The abdication is mentioned frequently in the first season of the Netflix television series The Crown, in which the former King, now titled the Duke of Windsor, returns to London for the funeral of King George VI and accession of Elizabeth II. Queen Mary is depicted as continuing her condemnation of his marriage to Mrs Simpson and his decision to abdicate, and faces animosity towards his attendance of Elizabeth's coronation, subsequently declining his invitation. His abdication is also cited as a factor in the opposition to the marriage of Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend. The sixth episode of the second season features the Duke returning to London in a bid to ask Queen Elizabeth II for forgiveness of his abdication and to allow him to work for the monarchy. However, following her informing of The Marburg Files, detailing facts of the Duke's relationship with Nazi Germany and further damning information from former private secretary Tommy Lascelles, and continuing animosity from the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Prince Philip, she admonishes him and asks him to return to Britain only at the request of the monarch. Edward has been portrayed by: He has also been used as a cultural reference. In Lady of the Night, Chunky reads a paper which proclaims Edward "The Best Dressed Man in the World", prompting him to go to a tailor with his suits and demand: "You fix these! I want to look like that Wales guy!". Mrs. Simpson has been portrayed by:

Other

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