Edward VIII of the United Kingdom quotes

Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire for a brief period in 1936. His reign is most remembered for his abdication in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. He became the only British monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne. Here are 27 of his quotes:

Perhaps one of the only positive pieces of advice that I was ever given was that supplied by an old courtier who observed: Only two rules really count. Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself; never miss a chance to sit down and rest your feet.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

These works brought all these people here. Something should be done to get them at work again.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

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.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

A boy is holding a girl so very tight in his arms tonight.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Of course, I do have a slight advantage over the rest of you. It helps in a pinch to be able to remind your bride that you gave up a throne for her.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Italy: "...they are indeed a repulsive nation these dagoes, both the men and the women & I'm just longing to quit them for good & all!!!"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

British Empire. First trip to India. Glorious. Never would have believed it would all be gone in my lifetime. Not possible, I'd've thought. I am the last king-emperor, you know. My brother was, for a time, but had to give it up. I didn't.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Outside Adelaide, Australia: "...they showed us some of the native aborigines at a wayside station in the great plain yesterday afternoon though they are the most revolting form of living creatures I've ever seen!! They are the lowest known form of human beings & are the nearest thing to monkeys I've ever seen"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Acapulco, Mexico: "...queer, dirty little dago town.... The people are too revolting for words, super dagoes & some of them are quite black as a result of Spaniards inter-breeding with the Indians; & of course they only speak Spanish"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Cologne, Germany: "Claud & I had a stroll in the centre of town afterwards & had great fun making the Hun men civilians get off the pavement for us .... It does one worlds of good to know how humiliating it must be for the Huns"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

It certainly is a situation of great delicacy but, at the same time, one in which it would seem I hold fifty per cent of the bargaining power in order that the Duchess and I can plan for the future in the most constructive and convenient way.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

[The Indian princes'] ceremonies are so irritating and ridiculous.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

It must be remembered that Dupach is more than half Negro, and due to the peculiar mentality of this Race, they seem unable to rise to prominence without losing their equilibrium.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Quebec City, Canada: "A rotten priest-ridden community who are the completest passengers & who won't do their bit in anything & of course not during the war!!"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Barbados: "A proper bum island this Barbados.... It's a unique sort of scenery, very ugly, & I didn't take much to the coloured population, who are revolting."

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

This place ought never to have been dug up.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Discussing coronation ceremonies with Vidal, "I quickly moved on to...the moment when two masons appear and ask the newly crowned king for instructions as to his tomb. 'Masons? Masons! Yes. You one? I'm one. But I've forgotten all the odds and ends. Dull, really."

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

When you're bored with yourself, marry and be bored with someone else.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

I like going there for golf. America's one vast golf course these days.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

I wanted to be an up-to-date king. But I didn't have much time.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Mona said, 'Did you see Gore's new play The Best Man when you were in New York?' 'Of course not.'...'Don't like plays, only shows.' He meant musical comedies.

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan, Canadian Indians: "I've told you what a foul decadent lazy crowd they are & what I think of them !! But this camp is pitched right inside an Indian reserve ... & we have hundreds of the mouldy local tribe camped around us"

Edward VIII of the United Kingdom