While you may think it was quite chivalrous, (not flaming you,) Edward/David's abdication almost ended the monarchy. It's mostly been downgraded to a P.R. title as it is. He created a P.R. and country nightmare. There he goes, thumbing his nose at all the tradition, pomp & ceremony, abdicates as though it's less important than marrying some woman, who is divorced AND an American. Very scandalous at the time. The non-Royalist political parties jumped all over his abdication, asking "WHY do we even have the Royal family & titles anymore anyway? What are we taxpayers paying them for?"
Edward/David created the title of "Duke of Windsor" for himself and left with his wife to France (I think?) where, he thought, would only be a
temporary exile. Until the country and the Royal family got over what he did. Then he could go on being a Royal, without the crown.
King George (Bertie) never forgave him. Bertie hadn't been trained since birth to be the monarch - AND during a time of a world war and having speech problems. When King George died, far too young, his wife, (also named Elizabeth) blamed Edward/David for his death, saying the stress of being King killed him. She never forgave him.
The now Queen Elizabeth II, was thrust into the role of being unexpected Queen, way too soon. And she has pledged her life,
till she dies to be Queen. She will never turn over the monarchy to Charles, as, after seeing what her uncle did to the monarchy, she pledged she would never hand away the throne entrusted to her. While she is 92, her mother lived to be 101. So she may be around for a while yet. (Long live the Queen!)
Edward/David never did get a welcome him back to the Royal family or England. And he lived his life, with his wife in exile. He also risked losing the income he was getting from the British government if he came back. And even though he called himself the Duke of Windsor, he never did get the Royal attention he thought he'd get, except by Americans & other foreigners who treated him a somewhat of a celebrity and loved inviting him to parties only due to his title as a "duke." His wife, Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, according to many reports, had told close friends that he actually lived a rather emotionally depressed life, in spite of all their jet-setting & partying. While, he loved her dearly, he really did miss being "Royal." He really hadn't realized all he gave up for her and the rather bland life they would lead. Being invited to parties as a fluffy "celebrity" is not the same as being loved & respected by one's country and having a real
purpose in life.
I know too much about the Royal family.
I was a loyal Princess Diana fan.