IN June, the Friends listened to a most interesting account of the abdication of King Edward VIII given by Mrs Creed.

David, as Edward was known to his family, was an immature man who made no attempt to find a young bride, preferring the company of older women. This was possibly because his own mother was a strict and distant woman.

These friends encouraged him to a life of parties and at one he was introduced to Wallis Simpson, an American who had made two unsuccessful marriages. Her first husband was a drunkard and they were divorced.

Then she married Ernest Simpson, a rich, married man. He divorced and they were married in 1928. Wallis was a good looking and ambitious woman and her London home became a centre for American visitors.

Although divorced, she was presented at Court.

At the house of his friend, Thelma Furness, David - now Prince of Wales - was introduced to Wallis Simpson. He fell for this fascinating woman and took her to Fort Belvedere, his home.

Lord Mountbatten was worried the heir to throne should have as a guest a married woman who had already divorced one husband. He tried to reason with David but he would not listen.

David became King Edward VII in January 1936. Although the British public did not know about his relationship with Mrs Simpson because of a press embargo, people abroad became aware of what was going on. Edward thought he could have a private life and was adamant he would marry Wallis.

Eventually, the details appeared in the press and the King decided he must abdicate.

He handed the succession to his brother, the Duke of York. He was given a royal title - Duke of Windsor. A lesser title would have allowed him to enter politics.

Edward gave up most of his property in Britain and went to stay with the Rothschilds in Austria after giving an emotional broadcast to the British people. George VI was crowned King and three weeks later the Windsors were married in France, where they chose to live.

Edward met Hitler and many believed him to be a traitor. When war came in 1939, he was sent to the Bahamas as Governor, but after that he seldom returned to Britain as the Royals would not accept him.

In 1972, when he was old and ill, the Queen visited him in Paris and when he died he was buried at Frogmore. Wallis lived on until 1986 when she was buried alongside her husband.