Medal - Edward VIII Abdication

Reverse

Lettering

Script: Latin

Lettering:
THIS DECISION HAS BEEN MADE LESS
DIFFICULT TO ME BY THE SURE KNOWLEDGE THAT
MY BROTHER WITH HIS LONG TRAINING IN THE PUBLIC
AFFAIRS OF THIS COUNTRY AND WITH HIS FINE QUALITIES
WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE MY PLACE FORTHWITH WITHOUT
INTERRUPTION OR INJURY TO THE LIFE AND PROGRESS OF THE EMPIRE.
AND HE HAS ONE MATCHLESS BLESSING ENJOYED BY SO MANY OF
YOU AND NOT BESTOWED ON ME - A HAPPY HOME WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN.
DURING THESE HARD DAYS I HAVE BEEN COMFORTED BY HER MAJESTY,
MY MOTHER, AND BY MY FAMILY. THE MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, AND, IN PARTICULAR, MR. BALDWIN, THE PRIME MINISTER, HAVE ALWAYS TREATED
ME WITH FULL CONSIDERATION. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY
CONSTITUTIONAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND THEM, AND BETWEEN ME
AND PARLIAMENT.
BRED IN CONSTITUTIONAL TRADITION BY MY FATHER, I SHOULD NEVER
HAVE ALLOWED ANY SUCH ISSUE TO ARISE.
EVER SINCE I WAS PRINCE OF WALES AND LATER ON WHEN I OCCUPIED THE
THRONE, I HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH THE GREATEST KINDNESS BY ALL
CLASSES OF PEOPLE WHEREVER I HAVE LIVED OR JOURNEYED THROUGHOUT
THE EMPIRE. FOR THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL.
I NOW QUIT ALTOGETHER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND I LAY DOWN MY BURDEN.
IT MAY BE SOMETIME BEFORE I RETURN TO MY NATIVE LAND, BUT I
SHALL ALWAYS FOLLOW THE FORTUNES OF THE BRITISH RACE AND
EMPIRE WITH PROFOUND INTEREST.
AND IF, AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE I CAN BE FOUND OF SERVICE
TO HIS MAJESTY IN A PRIVATE STATION I SHALL NOT FAIL.
AND NOW WE ALL HAVE A NEW KING. I WISH HIM AND YOU, HIS
PEOPLE, HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY WITH ALL MY HEART.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
MADE IN ENGLAND BY CLANG LTD LONDON

Edge

Plain

Comment

Entire transcription of radio broadcast made on 11th December 1936.

Issued by B.A Seaby Ltd.