(click image to enlarge)
This portrait depicts the young Edward, at the age of 17. The portrait appeared in Vanity Fair the day before Edward was invested as Prince of Wales, at a ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales. He ascended the throne as Edward VIII in January 1936, following the death of his father George V.
In December 1936, Edward abdicated the throne in order to marry the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.
“His Royal Highness was born on June 23rd, 1894, the event being hailed with the utmost satisfaction and delight throughout the Empire. All the promises of early childhood and boyhood have been amply realised. Like his father, our Sailor King, he was trained for the Navy, which fact without doubt affords satisfaction to the nation.
There is every probability that as time goes on he will fill his position with credit to his parents and to the advantage of the Empire over which, in the ordinary course of nature, at some distant day he will be called upon to rule.
He has been called upon early in life to take part in ceremonial functions, but through the wisdom of the King and Queen there is no need to fear the consequence, for it has been decided that, after the important and historic pageant at Carnarvon, where his Investiture as Prince of Wales took place with all the pomp and ceremony of bygone times, he must settle down to a course of serious preparation for the exalted position he will be called upon to occupy.
At Windsor his Royal Highness was invested with the Insignia of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and acquitted himself well under somewhat trying conditions. It was a stately ceremony, and the King and Queen were proud, as well they might be under the circumstances. But this occasion was surpassed in homely human sentiment when, at the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, the King impressed an affectionate kiss upon the cheeks of his son instead of a formal salute.
For a short visit to his great-uncle the Prince will go to Germany in September, before which time he may spend some time in Scotland, where the King and Queen are to undertake an extended tour.
All this journeying, however, is not holiday-making, for his studies are insisted upon and prosecuted all the time, so that when his Royal Highness goes to Oxford he will be soundly advanced in knowledge. Another voyage on an English warship will add to his naval education, and then he will enter the Army.
As pointed out a few weeks ago, the King's own view is that the Heir-Apparent should be at all points in touch with the people.”
8 & 10 Ryder Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6QB
gallery@chrisbeetles.com
020 7839 7551
© Chris Beetles Ltd 2024 | Accessibility | Privacy | Sitemap
