Baldwin’s secret visit to Buckingham Palace

 

Cabinet meeting minutes on the abdication crisis of Edward VIII (catalogue reference: CAB 23/86) View in the image library

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In this extraordinary account of his visit to the King given by Baldwin to the Cabinet on 4 December 1936, Baldwin states that he had to enter Buckingham Palace via a back entrance and a window, such was the level of secrecy involved.

The King wanted to deliver a radio broadcast to the British people about his intention to marry Mrs Simpson, but the Cabinet prohibited the King from making this speech.

Image: Cabinet meeting minutes on the abdication crisis of Edward VIII (catalogue reference: CAB 23/86). View in the image library