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?

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

CNN: Tuesday,

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

This is a dangerous precedent and in my view tantamount to returning to the good old, bad old days of royal reporting when in 1936 American and European newspapers freely reported on the affair of King Edward VIII and Mrs.

CNN: Nude Harry photos: How UK tabloids lost their sting

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,