Edward became king in 1936, but abdicated due to his


These black and white images unearthed after 80 years give a fascinating insight into one of the most scandalous weddings in British history that changed the monarchy forever.

Edward VIII's wedding to his divorcee lover Wallis Simpson on June 3, 1937 in a remote French chateau sparked a constitutional crisis.

He had become king in 1936 and was on the throne for only 11 months before abdicating because of his relationship with the American socialite.

The pictures of their modest wedding was taken on a 'rogue' camera brought into the ceremony by guest Alexandra Metcalfe, who was one of only a handful of people to attend the low-key wedding.

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Previously unseen pictures of Edward VIII's (pictured centre) marriage to American socialite Wallis Simpson have come to light 80 years after he sparked a constitutional crisis

Guests at the wedding included Randolph Churchill (right), the son of Winston Churchill, and Baron Eugene Rothschild (left) in the understated ceremony attended by only a handful of people

Lady Metcalfe, wife of Edward's best man Major Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe, assumed the role of unofficial photographer at the simple ceremony.

Although the Metcalfes were never part of the Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson circle - 'Fruity' and Wallis disliked each other - they remained loyal at the time of the abdication when fairweather friends abandoned him.

Metcalfe - an officer in the British Indian Army - first met Edward VIII when, as Prince of Wales, was touring India.

Edward was impressed with Metcalfe's knowledge of horses and made him a member of his personal staff and the two became close friends.

Edward had started his relationship with the socialite when she was still married to her second husband, shipbroker Ernest Simpson, and her illicit relationship with the British monarch was not publicly known.

Months after their return, the King announced he wanted to marry her - leading to his abdication.

He was succeeded by his younger brother, George VI.

With a reign of 326 days, Edward was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history.

The private pictures were distributed in a secret album to the small number of guests, numbering only eight or nine. Pictured are the flowers at the wedding, arranged by Constance Fry as a gift to Wallis

The private pictures were distributed in a secret album to the small number of guests, numbering only eight or nine.

The set of 17 photos was given to W. Cunningham Graham, the British consul at Nantes at the time. The current owner acquired them years ago from another collector of Royal memorabilia.

They are being sold next week at Bellmans Auctioneers of Billingshurst, West Sussex, for £6,000.

Lady Metcalfe's pictures include one of the room where the understated ceremony took place, the head table for the wedding breakfast which included a seven tier cake and guests milling around on the balcony of Chateau de Cande.

Another image showed Charles and Fern Bedaux, the owners of the the chateau.

Charles, a millionaire, was a Nazi collaborator and later committed suicide when he was arrested at the end of the Second World War.

Other guests photographed include Randolph Churchill, the son of Winston Churchill, Baron Eugene Rothschild, Herman Rogers, who gave Wallis away, and Walter Monckton, the Duke's confidant.

Denise Kelly, from the auction house, said: 'These photographs are of the greatest rarity, not least because of the use of a "rogue" camera at such an event.

'Until quite recently, guests at most social events would have been happy with the pictures provided by an "official" photographer'.

'It is unusual to receive consignments of any such private Royal photographs, but having 17 of them in one lot, which represent the King who gave away his Empire for the woman he loved, is extraordinary.

'One wonders about the quiet, remote Chateau de Cande and how it must have been a far cry from a packed Westminster Abbey, with members of the Royal Family, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world in attendance.

In many of the photos Edward was seen looking pensive - he was hoping his younger brother, George, would attend

Edward, pictured with his wife Wallis Simpson and next to Winston Churchill's son, Randolph (on his right)

There were only a handful of guests at the wedding that led to his abdication which was the biggest constitutional crisis in modern Royal history

This picture shows the library where the ceremony in the French chateau took place, in June 1937

This image shows Charles and Fern Bedaux, the owners of the the chateau. Charles, a millionaire, was a Nazi collaborator and later committed suicide when he was arrested at the end of the Second World War

'These photographs instead portray an event lacking in the pomp and circumstance usually associated with a royal wedding, and reflect the storm of controversy, disapproval and strong opposition to this love affair.

'Here is a couple being married far from home, very quietly in the company of so few guests.

'It is difficult to look at these sometimes sad and lonely images of Edward knowing that right up until the morning of the wedding he had hoped that at the very least his brother would attend.

'During our research of the guests in the photographs, and their relationships with Edward and Wallis, we found their pasts and futures were fascinating stories in their own right.

'The image of only a handful of empty chairs in front of the make-shift altar, tells its own story of the day Edward was finally able to marry "the woman I love"'.

The auction will take place on November 30.

Best man Major Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe (pictured second left) helps oversee the wedding breakfast

Cecil Beaton, the official photographer at the understated ceremony - now 'rogue' pictures of the wedding have come to light

The set of 17 photos was given to W. Cunningham Graham (pictured), the British consul at Nantes at the time