Wallis Simpson & Ernest Simpson: The Divorce That Toppled a King
A Baltimore socialite divorced her husband to marry a king — who gave up his throne for her
Key Facts
What Happened
Wallis Warfield was a twice-married American socialite from Baltimore when she met Edward, Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne, in 1931. She was married to her second husband, Ernest Aldrich Simpson, a British-American shipping executive. The prince became infatuated with Wallis, and by 1934 their relationship was an open secret among the British establishment — though the press, under a voluntary agreement, did not report on it to the British public.
When King George V died in January 1936, Edward became King Edward VIII. The constitutional crisis was immediate: Edward intended to marry Wallis, but she was still married to Ernest, and even after divorce she would have two living ex-husbands. The Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, told the King that the British people would not accept a twice-divorced American as queen. The Church of England, of which the sovereign was the head, opposed the marriage of divorced persons. The Dominions — Canada, Australia, South Africa — were consulted and opposed the marriage.
On October 27, 1936, Wallis obtained her divorce from Ernest Simpson at the Ipswich Assizes. The decree nisi was granted; the decree absolute would follow on May 3, 1937. But Edward could not wait. On December 10, 1936, he signed the Instrument of Abdication, giving up the throne of the British Empire — the only voluntary abdication in British history. In a radio broadcast that stunned the world, he declared: 'I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.'
Wallis and Edward married on June 3, 1937, at the Chateau de Cande in France. He was created Duke of Windsor, but Wallis was deliberately denied the style of 'Royal Highness' — a snub that Edward resented for the rest of his life. They lived in exile in France, becoming increasingly marginal figures. The abdication reshaped the British monarchy: Edward's brother became King George VI, whose daughter Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II. A single divorce decree, filed in a provincial English court, had altered the line of succession of the world's most powerful empire.
Legal Breakdown: Royal Divorce
Divorce as Constitutional Crisis
Wallis's divorce from Ernest Simpson was legally straightforward — a standard petition on grounds of adultery (which Ernest cooperated in providing, as was common practice at the time). But because the King intended to marry a divorced woman, a routine legal proceeding became a constitutional earthquake. This illustrates how personal legal matters can have consequences far beyond the individuals involved when public figures are implicated. The timing of the divorce, the grounds chosen, and the jurisdiction all became matters of state.
The Intersection of Church and Civil Law
The crisis arose because the King was simultaneously head of state and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which opposed the remarriage of divorced persons. This conflict between civil law (which permitted marriage after divorce) and religious law (which prohibited it for the head of the Church) created an impossible paradox. The resolution — abdication — removed the individual from the office rather than changing the rules. This tension between religious and civil authority over marriage persists in many countries today.
Collusive Divorce Practices
Ernest Simpson reportedly cooperated in providing grounds for divorce — a practice known as 'collusive divorce' that was common in England before no-fault divorce was introduced in 1969. Ernest was seen at a hotel with a woman (possibly hired for the purpose), providing the 'evidence' of adultery needed. While technically illegal, collusive divorce was widely practiced and tolerated by courts. It highlighted the absurdity of fault-based divorce systems that forced couples to manufacture evidence of wrongdoing.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Even a routine divorce can have extraordinary consequences when powerful people are involved. Consider all downstream implications before filing.
- →The conflict between religious and civil marriage law remains relevant today, particularly for people in religious communities with strict views on divorce.
- →Fault-based divorce systems forced people to fabricate or exaggerate wrongdoing. No-fault divorce, now available everywhere in the US, eliminates this cruel charade.
- →Status and titles can be leveraged or withheld in divorce negotiations. The 'Royal Highness' denial was a power move that affected the Windsors for decades.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Princess Margaret & Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
United Kingdom · 1978
Queen Elizabeth's sister shattered a royal taboo that had stood since the 1540s
OtherQueen Caroline of Brunswick & King George IV
United Kingdom · 1820
He tried to prove her an adulteress in Parliament. She showed up at his coronation and was turned away at the door.
OtherSir Paul McCartney & Heather Mills
United Kingdom · 2008
She asked for £125 million — the judge awarded a fifth of that
Other¿Te fue útil? Ayúdanos a mantenerlo gratis.
divorce911.ai se financia completamente con donaciones. Cada dólar mantiene al asistente IA y las 1,700+ guías gratis para personas en crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.