Edward VIII became King of England after the death of his father, George V, on January 20, 1936. Nearly 42-years-old and a bachelor, Edward then made known his desire to marry an American woman named Wallis Warfield Simpson, whom he had known since 1931. He sought the approval of his family, the Church of England, and the political establishment to marry her, but met with strong opposition. She had been married twice and her second divorce was still pending.
 
This love affair and possible royal marriage resulted in sensational newspaper headlines around the world and created a storm of controversy, but did not sway Edward. On December 10, 1936, King Edward VIII submitted his abdication: "But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love." It was endorsed by Parliament the next day and thus he became the only British monarch ever to resign voluntarily.

Edward was immensely popular when he came to the throne; his widow, the Duchess of Windsor, lamented his abdication after his death: "He might have been a great King; the people loved him."

Found at market in England, we are pleased to offer this gleaming, regal Vintage Silverplate Coronation Cake Server, which was produced in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VIII as King of England. 

Crested on the back of the handle with the Seal of the British Monarchy and the inscription "Coronation 1937". 

Learn More about Coronation Memorabilia

As a means to commemorate historic events - including coronations; silver, golden and diamond jubilees; royal weddings and royal visits to distant lands - artisans and craftspeople were commissioned to create beautiful pieces of memorabilia. Highly collectable, they are much more than mementos of an event long past. They are lovely pieces created to capture the spirit of their time as much as they capture our imaginations today.