Would Queen Elizabeth II Have Become Queen If her Uncle King Edward VIII Did Not Abdicate?

The question of whether Queen Elizabeth II would have become Queen of the United Kingdom if her uncle King Edward VIII did not abdicate has often been discussed. The answer is clear: even without Edward VIII’s abdication, Elizabeth II would have eventually ascended the throne, albeit with a different timeline and under different circumstances.

Understanding the Line of Succession

The line of succession to the British throne is governed by a strict order of precedence, determined by factors such as age, gender, and bloodline. During the early 20th century, this order was determined by the nine sons of King George V:

Edward VIII Albert, Duke of York (later George VI) Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester Prince George, Duke of Kent Prince John Prince Edward, Earl of Kent Prince Maurice Prince Richard Prince George, Prince of Wales (later King George VI)

Queens Elizabeth II’s father, George VI, was the only son of George V who had children, making him the heir to the throne should his elder brother Edward VIII abdicate or have no children of his own.

The Abdication of King Edward VIII

King Edward VIII’s abdication in December 1936 was a pivotal event in British history. Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, who was twice divorced, leading to a constitutional crisis. As a result, he abdicated, allowing his brother George VI to ascend the throne.

However, if Edward VIII had chosen to remain king and to not have children, Elizabeth would have been next in the line of succession. This is a key point as it was Edward’s decision to abdicate that temporarily changed Elizabeth’s fate.

The Consequences of No Abdication

Had King Edward VIII not abdicated and remained king, Elizabeth would have been next in line after him. Since Edward VIII did not have any children and subsequently died in 1972 without a direct heir, the succession would have reverted to the eldest living male relative — George VI's son, Elizabeth II’s father.

Additionally, if Edward VIII had remained king until his death at the age of 73 in 1972, his brother George VI would have predeceased Edward, leaving Elizabeth as the heir. Therefore, Elizabeth II would have become queen decades later, but she would have still ascended the throne.

Medical Speculation on King Edward VIII's Fertility

There are speculations that King Edward VIII might have been infertile. His condition may have been influenced by factors such as

The mumps he contracted at the age of 13, which left permanent swelling of the testicles The age and fertility of Wallis Simpson, who had previously been married to two men and was seemingly past her childbearing years

These factors, combined with the fact that Edward VIII and Wallis had not produced a child during their marriage, suggest that even if Edward VIII had not abdicated, Elizabeth would have become queen later in her life.

Conclusion

In summary, whether King Edward VIII abdicated or not, Queen Elizabeth II would have still become Queen of the United Kingdom, simply with a different timeline. This underscores the importance of the line of succession in the British monarchy and highlights the historical significance of Edward VIII's abdication.