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In the spring of 1936, Mrs Simpson wrote a letter to her husband.

The next day, when Edward came down to breakfast, Gordon Lang, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was waiting for him.

"Dear Ernest," she wrote. "You have been very kind to me. You are a good and strong man. But I must tell you that our marriage is finished. I am in love with the King and I want a divorce. Don't be angry. There is nothing you can do. I'll never forget you, but I have to be free."

Ernest replied immediately: "Your letter arrived this morning. I will do what you ask, but I'll never stop loving you. And if you need me, I'll always be here."

"Good morning, Gordon," the King said. "How nice to see you again. And what can I do for you?"

That night the King and Wallis met at a small restaurant in Piccadilly. Edward read Ernest's letter again and again. "That's wonderful news," he said. "Nothing can stop us now!"

For a minute the Archbishop said nothing. Then he opened a small black bag and took out three newspapers. "I have come to see you about Mrs Wallis Simpsonn," he began. "The newspapers say that you want to marry her. Are these stories true, Sir?"

"Yes, Sir, but…"

"And is God happy when two people fall in love and get married?"

'That is not possible,'Edward said softly. 'When Wallis is free, I shall marry her.'

"But that's not possible," the Archbishop replied. "You know what the Church thinks about marriage and divorce. Divorce is wrong in the eyes of God!"

Edward smiled and then said: "Can I ask you some questions about God, Mr Lang?"

"Yes, Sir, but…"

"Yes, Gordon, Wallis is going to be my wife."

"But you don't understand, Sir," Mr Lang replied. "The Church says that divorce is wrong. Mrs Simpson cannot leave Mr Simpson and then marry you. You must forget about her and find another woman. Please, Sir, I must ask you to think again."

"Yes, Sir, but…"

"Then, Archbishop, Wallis and I will make God very happy. We are in love, we'll get married, and we'll live together happily!"

"Is God happy when two people fall in love?"

"And is God happy when two people fall in love, get married, and live happily together?"

There was a long silence. The Archbishop looked down at the floor and shook his head. "You're making a big mistake, Sir," he said. "The Church is very strong, and we will not have this woman as our Queen!"

"Yes, of course, Sir."

The Archbishop stood up to go, but then turned and touched the King's arm. "Please, Sir, think again. The Church will be against you."

Suddenly Edward stood up, his face red and angry. "Thank you for coming," he said. "But I have nothing more to say. And I want to be alone."

"I don't care," Edward replied. "I have God on my side, and that is all I need. Goodbye, Mr Lang."