who reigned — and abdicated — as Edward VIII. As the "spare" to Prince Edward, the eldest son and heir, young Albert (known as "Bertie" among family and friends) was diffident and often ill.
Edward VIII was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary and was born on 23rd June 1894. In 1910 he was created Prince of Wales. Educated at the Royal Naval College and Magdalen College Oxford ...