‎A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication - Apple TV

Available on Prime Video, BritBox

This is the true tale of the biggest scandal ever to engulf the British Royal Family. A forbidden love affair, which had a devastating impact. This new three-part documentary series recounts the story behind the ten days leading to Edward VIII abdicating his throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. It would change the royals, the press and British history forever.

Documentary · 2023 · 50 min

Starring Fiona McGarvey , Hugh Bonneville

EPISODE 1

The Secret Scandal

In the 1930s, the Prince of Wales met and fell in love with an American socialite, Wallis Simpson. Their affair was an open secret. But, as this BBC Select Original Documentary reveals, things changed dramatically when the prince’s father died and he was to be crowned King Edward VIII. Edward was determined to have Wallis as his Queen. Soon, as the story breaks, his life would lie in tatters.

49 min · Sep 21, 2023
EPISODE 2

Collision Course

Edward VIII’s monarchy hung in the balance. His desire to marry an American divorcee had set him on a collision course with the British press, the Royal Household, and the government. The prime minister was desperate to prevent a constitutional crisis by stopping the king from marrying. But the King believed Wallis had to be the nation’s Queen.

49 min · Sep 21, 2023
EPISODE 3

The Fall of a King

The British nation was divided as the crisis concerning Edward VIII and his relationship with divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson rumbled on. In the eye of the storm, Edward battled with his aides and family members before making his famous broadcast to the nation and relinquishing the crown.

50 min · Sep 21, 2023

A Very Royal Crisis: Countdown to Abdication Trailer

Documentary · 1 min

Fiona McGarvey

Wallis Simpson
Hugh Bonneville

Narrator
Bridie Riley

Producer
Emily Thompson

Producer
Claire Paterson

Producer
Marion Milne

Writer
Edward Farmer

Music