Queen Mary Basically Excommunicated Her Son For Marrying Wallis Simpson

Before the Megxit scandal, the royal family had another infamous couple to deal with, King Edward VIII and his American divorcee wife Wallis Simpson.

King Edward’s mother, Queen Mary was stunned when her son declared his intention to forfeit the throne in order to marry Wallis. In fact, the announcement set off a national crisis that threatened the foundation of the royal family prompting the Dowager Queen to act so as to ensure that Edward was not a threat to the new king.

Mary Put The Crown Before Family Which Was Bad News For Her Son

Stephen Greig notes in the documentary, Queen Mary: How She Saved the Royals, “Mary put monarchy before family and with the reputation of the Crown under threat, she had a hand in ensuring Edward was revoked of his royal duties and exiled, along with Wallis Simpson, to France.” So much for a mother’s love, then?

Edward Earned The Wrath Of His Mother By Marrying Wallis Simpson

Backing up this statement, royal watcher Kate Williams said that Queen Mary was prepared for a complete end of communication with her son when he abdicated.

According to Williams, “She loved her son but having abdicated that meant she could no longer see him. He was an exile, she would not go to his wedding. If he were to have children, she would not meet them.”

How Did Edward Feel Basically Being Excommunicated By His Mother?

Royal insider Lady Colin Campbell suggests that the Dowager Queen was doubly shocked by Edward’s decision because in the past she had sacrificed her life to serve the Crown.

“Queen Mary could not believe that anyone being a King of England would give it up for anybody or anything. She had given up her whole life for the Crown and here was this son of hers just chucking it over.”

King Edward Never Had A Formal Coronation But He Gained A Wife

King Edward VIII abdicated before actually taking over the throne from his father thus he never had a coronation.

Apparently the rift that was begun between mother and son was huge and historic to the degree that King Edward VIII was refused an invitation to the dedication of his father’s tomb. Of this decision, Edward wrote to his mother, “Your last letter (…) destroyed the last vestige of feeling I had left for you and has made further normal correspondence between us impossible.”