His Majesty King Edward the Eighth's Abdication Act, 1937

by enacted by the Parliament of South Africa

Act

To declare the abdication of King Edward the Eighth and to provide for alterations in the laws relating to the succession to the throne and for purposes connected therewith.

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(Assented to 6th February, 1937.)
(Signed by the Governor-General in Afrikaans.)

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Whereas His Majesty King Edward the Eighth has, by his royal message of the tenth day of December, 1936, been pleased to declare that he is irrevocably determined to renounce the Throne for himself and his descendants and also has for that purpose executed the Instrument of Abdication a copy of which is set out in the Schedule to this Act and has signified his desire that effect thereto should be given immediately:

And whereas it is deemed desirable that the position created by the said Instrument of Abdication be clarified and regulated:

And whereas the several States, Members of the British Commonwealth of Nations, have agreed to accept the alterations in the laws relating to the succession to the Throne required by the said Instrument of Abdication:

And whereas legislative effect has already been given to the aforesaid alterations in the laws relating to the succession to the Throne in respect of the other Members of the British Commonwealth of Nations:

And whereas it is meet that the Parliament of the Union of South Africa should also give its assent to the alterations in the laws touching the succession to the Throne required by the aforesaid instrument of Abdication:

Be it therefore enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Assembly of the Union of South Africa, as follows:―

Abdication of King Edward VIII and accession of King George VI declared valid. Certain acts purporting to have been done in the name of the former King legalized.

1. (1) It is hereby declared that the Instrument of Abdication executed by His Majesty King Edward the Eighth on the tenth day of December, 1936, and a copy of which is set forth in the Schedule to this Act has, and has had, effect from the date thereof; that the accession to the Throne of King George the Sixth, as the member of the Royal family next in succession to the Throne, took effect from such date and that everything done thereafter by His Majesty, or the Governor-General as his representative, in accordance with law, is and has always been of full force and effect.

(2) Everything purporting to have been done in the name of the former King Edward the Eighth in accordance with law after the date of the said Instrument of Abdication and before the passing of this Act, shall be deemed to have been lawfully done and to have and have had full force and effect, the provisions of the preceding sub-section notwithstanding.

Interpretation of section 1 of the Act of Settlement.

2. The former King Edward the Eighth, his issue, if any, and the descendants of that issue shall not have any rights, title or interest in or to succession to the Throne and section one of the Act of Settlement (12 & 13 Will. III, Cap. 2) shall be construed accordingly.

Non-application of the Royal Marriages Act, 1772.

3. The Royal Marriages Act, 1772, shall not apply to the former King Edward the Eighth nor his issue, if any, or to descendants of that issue.

Short title.

4. This Act may be cited as His Majesty King Edward the Eighth’s Abdication Act, 1937.

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Schedule.

I, Edward the Eighth, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Emperor of India, do hereby declare My irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for myself and for my descendants, and My desire that effect should be given to this Instrument of Abdication immediately.

In token whereof I have hereunto set My hand this tenth day of December, 1936, in the presence of witnesses whose signatures are subscribed.

(Signed)  Edward R.I.

Signed at Fort Belvedere in
the presence of:
    (Sgd.)  Albert.
    (Sgd.)  Henry.
    (Sgd.)  George.