Edward VIII | The king who gave up the throne for the woman he loved

Proclamation of Accession of King Edward VIII | From St James's Palace

Announcing the new King.

CHANNEL | National Programme

RECORDED | 21 January 1936

DURATION | 8 minutes 58 seconds

RECORDED

1936

Synopsis

Sir Gerald Wollaston, the Garter Principal King of Arms, reads the Royal Proclamation announcing the accession to the throne of King Edward VIII. As he stands on the balcony of Friary Court, St James's Palace, we hear the gun salute continue at intervals from St James's Park. The fanfare and the national anthem are performed by the State Trumpeters.

Did you know?

The accession was also proclaimed at Charing Cross, Temple Bar and the Royal Exchange in London, and at other locations across the country. BBC recordings survive of the proclamation being made at the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh, Tynwald Hill at St John's on the Isle of Man and Cathays Park, Cardiff.

Contributors

Howard Marshall
Commentator
Sir Gerald Wollaston
Contributor
Subject of programme

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Documents

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An urgent BBC internal memo.

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