Wedgwood - Dish (4) - Bone china - UK Coronation Pl. - 1937

These plates carry a unique and fascinating history rooted in one of the biggest political crises in modern British history:
• The Planned Celebration: King George V died in January 1936, and his eldest son, Edward VIII, ascended to the throne. His coronation was officially scheduled for May 12, 1937. Leading up to the event, Wedgwood manufactured these embossed cream Queen's Ware plates featuring his blue jasperware silhouette to sell as celebratory souvenirs.
• The Abdication: Before he could be crowned, Edward VIII chose to abdicate the throne in December 1936 so he could marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée.
• The Sudden Shift: Because of his abdication, he was never actually crowned. However, manufacturers like Wedgwood had already produced a massive amount of commemorative merchandise.
• The Bottom Two Plates: To keep the original May 12, 1937 coronation date, the royal family quickly stepped in and crowned Edward's younger brother instead. The bottom two plates depict the new monarchs crowned that day: King George VI (bottom left) and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother, bottom right).
Because Edward VIII's plates commemorate a coronation that never officially happened, they have remained highly collectible pieces of royal history.