Brighton postbox linked to biggest royal scandal of 20th century

A red postbox that sits on the corner of Warmdene Road and Dale Crescent in Patcham is among just 130 that exist on streets in Britain.

It is so rare because it is embossed with the royal cypher of Edward VIII, who served as King for less than a year before abdicating, a move previously unheard of for a British monarch.

Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

After his father, George V, died on January 20 1936, Edward ascended to the throne but immediately caused unease after seemingly interfering in political matters during a visit of villages in south Wales.

He also broke with the tradition that the portrait of each monarch faces the opposite direction of their predecessor.

However, it was his relationship with American divorcee Wallis Simpson that would eventually bring an end to his short reign.

Very few coins were minted with Edward VIII's portrait - one was sold for £1 million in 2020: credit - PA (Image: PA)

The revelation that the King proposed to marry a woman with two ex-husbands was seen as unacceptable, especially as Ms Simpson would then become Queen Consort.

Prime Minister at the time Stanley Baldwin told the King - who also serves as head of the Church of England - that people would find the marriage morally unacceptable, particularly because remarriage after divorce was opposed by the church.

The marriage was opposed by the British Cabinet as well as governments of the UK’s Dominions overseas.

Mr Baldwin presented the King with three options: give up the idea of marrying Ms Simpson, marry against the government’s wishes, or abdicate.

King Edward VIII and Ms Simpson on holiday in Yugoslavia in 1936: credit - Daily Herald Archive (Image: Daily Herald Archive)

Edward, who was not prepared to end his relationship or prompt a constitutional crisis, chose to abdicate after a reign of just 326 days - making him Britain’s shortest-reigning monarch.

Only around 130 postboxes were installed with Edward VIII’s cypher, including the box in Patcham, before he abdicated.

Edward’s brother, the Duke of York, succeeded to the throne as George VI, with his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, becoming the heir.

• READ MORE: What will EIIR change to now King Charles III is formally declared King?

In a speech shortly after his abdication, Edward - who became known as the Duke of Windsor - told the nation: “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 so without the help and support of the woman I love.”

Of the 115,500 postboxes dotted around the country, more than 60 per cent feature the Queen’s cypher of EIIR.

A new cypher will be created for King Charles III, which will feature on any new postboxes, as well as on uniforms of the police, medals and Royal staff.