During her marriage to
Ernest Aldrich Simpson,
Wallis Simpson was introduced to
Edward, then-Prince of Wales, by his then-mistress
Thelma, Viscountess Furness. On January 10, 1931, Lady Furness introduced Wallis to Edward at
Burrough Court, near
Melton Mowbray. Soon, the pair began a relationship. Between 1931 and 1934, he met the Simpsons at various house parties, and Wallis was presented at court. Constitutionally, the King was required to be in communion with the Church of England, but his proposed marriage conflicted with the Church's teachings. In November, he consulted with the
British prime minister,
Stanley Baldwin, on a way to marry Wallis and keep the throne. However, the British and Dominion governments believed that a twice-divorced woman was politically, socially, and morally unsuitable as a prospective consort. Hence, if Edward were to marry Wallis against Baldwin's advice, the government would be required to resign, causing a
constitutional crisis. Determined to marry Wallis, Edward decided he had no option but to abdicate. Edward signed the
Instrument of Abdication on December 10, 1936, in the presence of his three surviving brothers, the Dukes of
York,
Gloucester and
Kent. The Duke of York then became King GeorgeVI. On December 11, Edward said in a radio broadcast, "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." ==Ceremony==