But, away from politics, perhaps the biggest resignation in living memory was the abdication of King Edward VIII.

BBC: How do you have an honourable resignation?

Madonna has cast James Fox and his son Laurence Fox in her film about Edward VIII's wife, Wallis Simpson.

BBC: Madonna casts Fox family for Wallis Simpson film

In 1937, the Duke of Windsor, who had abdicated as King Edward VIII of England, married Wallis Simpson in France.

CNN: Tuesday,

James D'Arcy, who starred in ITV2 opposite Billie Piper in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, has been cast as Edward VIII.

BBC: Madonna casts Fox family for Wallis Simpson film

At that point, the monarch is emerging as a triumphal figure, not even three years into his surprise reign on the abdication of his older brother, Edward VIII.

FORBES: Rich Film Slice of Royal History

Such was the predicament of the Duke of York (Colin Firth), when his father, George V (Michael Gambon), expired, and his brother, the feckless Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), relinquished the throne.

NEWYORKER: The King's Speech

The Queen Mother was a person who symbolised service... she sustained this country and the royal family when King Edward VIII was forced to abdicate over his relationship with twice-married Wallis Simpson.

CNN: Amanpour, Quest: Britain's lament

Saunders said he believed that in contrast to Beatrix, Britain's Queen Elizabeth would never abdicate, because of the 1, 000 years of history behind her, and the trauma of her uncle, King Edward VIII's abdication.

CNN: Dutch queen prepares to hand throne to son

The middle part of the book takes a more serious turn and some events, such as King Edward VIII's abdication and the cabinet discussions of 1938, provide good passages, but the diary stops for most of 1926-36 and in 1939-44.

ECONOMIST: High society

In 1547, King Henry VIII of England died and was succeeded by his son, Edward VI.

CNN: Wednesday,