FLASH!!!! KING TO GIVE UP THRONE

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December 9, 1936

King Edward VIII has made his decision. He has chosen love over duty, and will abdicate his throne in favor of his brother, Prince Albert, the Duke of York. A act of Abdication will be presented to Parliament tomorrow, where it will be debated and voted on. The succession will also have to be guaranteed that the line will pass to the children of the new sovereign. It will be agreed that if Edward VIII has children, they will not have any claims to the throne.

There are rumors that the Duke of York has been unwilling to take the throne in such circumstances. One rumor has the Duke of York proposing that his 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, be named queen, and that he and the duchess will act as regents for the next seven years.

All of these rumors are dismissed because of the Duke of York's uncompromising sense of duty, and many overlook "the influence of the Duchess in encouraging him and giving him confidence."

Government leaders know it is very important that Princess Elizabeth be kept in the direct line of succession. Government leaders feel that even with "a very quiet king in Buckingham Palace, his little Scottish wife, and his golden-haired children will make up for whatever publicity value he may lack."
It may be a tonic for the millions of loyal subjects that "they have another reigning Queen in the offing, and a Queen Elizabeth at that."

This look into the future may help the British forget Edward and "give their undivided loyalty to a new ruler."

Earlier today, at 2:30 p.m, King Edward VIII may have met with his mother, Queen Mary, for the last. The widow of George V is said to be broken-hearted over the king's decision to choose love over duty to his country and to the empire. The meeting took place in the Duke of York's study at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Park.

It was the first time that the king had left Fort Belvedere in six days. He walked the two-mile journey to the Royal Lodge to avoid being seen. No staff was present when he arrived at the lodge, as they were told to remain the garage.

Due to the fog, Queen Mary had a "slow and tedious drive from Marlborough House." She had been accompanied by her brother, the Earl of Athlone, and her daughter, the Princess Royal. The King first met with the queen, and his uncle and sister, as well as with the Duke of York, who was also present. But after a short time, Lord Athlone, the Princess Royal and the Duke of York, withdrew, leaving Edward and Mary alone. The King then returned to Fort Belvedere as loaded truck filled with his baggage was driven to London.