The telegram in which King Edward VIII announced his father's death to the Lord Mayor of London, showing the signature 'Edward' instead of 'Edward P'. Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 - 28 May 1972) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire and Emperor of India from 20 January 1936 until his abdication in December of the same year. George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 - 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death