Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom from 20 January 1936 until his abdication on 11 December the same year. Edward was the eldest son of King George V and Queen Mary. He was named Prince of Wales on his sixteenth birthday, nine weeks after his father succeeded as king. Only months into his reign, he caused a constitutional crisis by proposing marriage to Wallis Simpson, an American who had divorced her first husband and was seeking a divorce from her second.

This rare cover was postmarked on the wedding day in Monts France and features the royal cypher of the three kings and a stamp featuring Edward VIII - always a popular item with stamp collectors from that era.

When it became apparent King Edward could not marry Wallis and remain on the throne, he abdicated. He was succeeded by his younger brother, George VI. With a reign of 326 days, Edward is one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history. After his abdication, he was created Duke of Windsor. He married Wallis in France on 3 June 1937, after her second divorce became final.