Abdication Day – December 11th
On this day in 1936, Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, announced in a radio broadcast that he had abdicated the throne in favor of marrying Wallis Simpson, an American socialite. “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.” After stepping down, Edward assumed the title of Duke of Windsor, married Wallis, and moved to France.
Simpson was in the process of getting her second divorce at the time of the announcement. Her possible marriage to the King had been met with opposition from royalty, politicians, and clergy. The King was the head of the Church of England, which did not allow divorced people to marry again until their ex was dead. Edward had also been a notorious womanizer before his courtship with Wallis, and he had a scandalous reputation for having affairs with married women. The Government of the United Kingdom was against their union, as were the Commonwealth governments. It seemed that no one wanted a twice-divorced foreigner as queen consort. Edward’s brother, Albert, inherited the throne, taking the name King George VI. He would also inherit the coming world war.
Edward and Wallis were married for 35 years until his death in Paris in 1972. There were rumors that Edward’s devotion to her was one-sided, and that Wallis had been in love with another man.
Music Du Jour: British Swing of the 1930s playlist and The Crown Season 1 Soundtrack
Films Du Jour:
- The Crown (2016 Series)
- E. (2011)
- The Dutchess of Windsor (2017 Documentary)
- The King’s Speech (2010)
- Edward and Mrs. Simpson (1978 Series)
- Edward and Wallis: Forbidden Love (2023 Documentary)
- Edward VIII: Britain’s Traitor King (2022 Documentary)
Miscellaneous: Here’s a Podcast link about the abdication
Snacks du Jour: The Duke of Windsor Sandwich was created for a visit by Edward to Neiman Marcus Department Store. The wacky recipe that includes turkey, mango chutney, cheddar cheese spread, and pineapple is featured in the Neiman Marcus Cookbook. The Windsors were good drinkers, so any fancy bar snack is also appropriate.
Cocktail Du Jour – The Duke of Windsor
Any drink with Windsor Canadian whiskey is appropriate today. The following gin recipe is based on Edward’s own cocktail concoction as the Duke of Windsor:
- 5 oz gin
- 5 oz Cointreau
- 5 mint leaves
- 25 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Sweetened soda or tonic water
Combine gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and mint leaves in a shaker and muddle the leaves. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a brandy glass over ice. Add soda/tonic over the top as desired. Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve with a straw.
Mocktail Du Jour – The Duke of Windsor Mocktail
- 5 oz non-alcohol gin
- 5 oz orange syrup
- 5 mint leaves
- 25 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Sweetened soda or tonic water
Combine non-alcohol gin, orange syrup, lemon juice, and mint leaves in a shaker and muddle the leaves. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a brandy glass over ice. Add soda/tonic over the top as desired. Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve with a straw.
Beer Du Jour
Turning Point Duke Silver, Deschutes King Crispy Pilsner, or any Jester King label.
Wine Du Jour
After his death, Edward’s wine cellar fetched $167,000 at auction, so if you nabbed one of those bottles, today would be a great day to tap it. For the rest of us, an All Kings Brut Classic or a King’s Estate label makes a worthy tribute to the surrendered crown.
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “”File:Simpson, Wallis & Edward VIII – RLWMV (5034878895).jpg” by Herb Neufeld is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
