“I Do Hereby Renounce The Throne.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 307, 11 December 1936, Page 5

“I Do Hereby Renounce The Throne.”

ABDICATION OF KING EDWARD.

Duke of York Becomes the New King.

(Press Association Extraordinary.) (Received 10.30 a.m.)

/ : LONDON, December 10. It is officially announced that the King has abdicated, and that the Duke of York succeeds to the Throne. The Speaker made this announcement in the House of Commons on receipt of a message handed to him from Mr. Baldwin. He announced that the King had executed an instrument of abdication, renouncing the Throne for himself and his descendants. The document was witnessed by the Dukes of York, Gloucester, and Kent. The King appreciated the appeals made to him to take a different decision, but his mind was made up, the statement continues. “Further delay would be most injurious to the peoples whom I tried to serve as Prince of Wales and as King, and whose future happiness and prosperity is the constant wish of my heart. I take leave with the confident hope that the course Ithought it right to follow is that which is best for the stability of the Empire and for the happiness of my peoples. “After long and anxious consideration, I have determined to renounce the Throne to which I succeeded on the death of my father, and I am now communicating this as my final and irrevocable decision. Realising as Ido the gravity of this step, I. can only hope that I shall have the understanding of my peoples in the decision I have taken and in the reasons which led me to take it. . ' “I will not enter now into any matter concerning my private feelings, but I would beg that it should be remembered that the burden which constantly rests upon the shoulders of a Sovereign are so heavy that they can only be borne in circumstances different from those in which I now find myself. “I am not overlooking the duty that rests on me to place in the forefront of public interest when I declare that lam conscious that I can no longer discharge this heavy task with efficiency or satisfaction to myself. I have accordingly this morning executed an instrument of abdication in the following terms: — “I, Edward the Eighth of Great Britain, Ireland, the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King-Emperor of India, do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for myself and my descendants, and it is my desire that effect should be given to this instrument of abdication immediately. “In token of which I have hereunto set my hand, this tenth day of December, 1936, in the presence of witnesses whose signatures are subscribed.

(Signed) EDWARD, R.I. •A • • “My execution of this instrument has been witnessed by my three brothers, their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York, Gloucester, and Kent. “I deeply appreciate the spirit which has actuated the appeal made to me to take a different decision, and I have, before reaching my final determination, most fully pondered over them, but my mind is made up. Moreover, further delay cannot but be most injurious to the people whom I tried to serve as Prince of Wales and as King, and whose future happiness and prosperity are the constant wish of my heart. 1 take leave of them in the confident hope that the course which I have thought it right to follow is that which is best for the stability of the Throne and of the Empire and the happiness of my peoples. I am deeply sensible of the consideration which they have always extended to me, both before and after my accession to the Throne, and which I know they will extend in full measure to my successor. I am most anxious that there should be no delay of any kind in giving effect to the instrument which I have executed, and that all necessary steps should be taken immediately to secure that my lawful successor, my brother, York, should ascend the Throne.” Signed: EDWARD, R. 1.”