Some called it the love story of the century. During their lives, it was the source of much gossip. "[Y]ou 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 without the help and support of the woman I love," Edward VIII told the world in 1936 as he abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson. Although Simpson has long been portrayed as the Yoko Ono of the Royal Family, the story of the couple is much more nuanced than is sometimes imagined.
