No marriage for King Edward and Mrs. Simpson

November 8, 1936

Three "well-informed sources" have informed the New York Times correspondent in London that the stories in the press about King Edward marrying Mrs. Wallis Simpson next June are not true.
It is now felt in "circles close to the court" that a marriage is out of question. The King and Mrs. Simpson are "both opposed to a union that would seriously embarrass the King in his relationships with his advisers and subjects."
Since Mrs. Simpson's divorce proceedings at Ipswich last month, there has been "much uneasiness" among the King's friends as to the interpretation "might be placed by the public, inside and outside Great Britain," concerning the king's friendship with Mrs. Simpson.  The "volume of publicity," particularly in the United States, "might seriously misinterpret this relationship and place the King in an embarrassing position on the eve of his coronation."
Queen Mary has taken as a "particularly serious view of the affair," and has consulted the Archbishop of Canterbury for advice.  The Archbishop then met with the King, and told him "how unwise it would be for him" to continue a relationship with Mrs. Simpson "that must end in a major scandal."
King Edward listened and took the prelate's "admonition in good spirit."  The king is aware of the "extremely delicate situation which would arise should his relationship with Mrs. Simpson become an open scandal."   The King promised he would be more discreet.
It cannot be confirmed if this conversation actually took place, but a "well-established rumor"  in financial and newspaper circles," state that the talk did occur.
King Edward VIII is "strong attached to Mrs. Simpson."  She has given him a "new confidence in himself."  He also no longer has an aversion to matrimony.  Informed circles stress that if the King does marry, his bride will not be Mrs. Simpson, "although he will remain Mrs. Simpson's friend."