Edward VIII grave concern that the couple were followed by members of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, who examined in secret the nature of their relationship. An undated report detailed a visit by the couple to an antique shop, where the proprietor later noted "that the lady seemed to have POW [Prince of Wales] completely under her thumb." The prospect of having an American divorcée with a questionable past having such sway over the heir apparent led to anxiety among government and establishment figures. King George V died on 20 January 1936, and Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. The
George Gale (MP) George Gale (MP) George Gale was Member of Parliament for York during the Parliaments of Henry VIII, notably the Reformation Parliament, and of Edward VI. He also held several important offices in the city of York and was the Great Great Grandfather of the antiquarian, Thomas Gale. George was born to Oliver Gale and Ellen Marshall near the North Yorkshire village of Scruton around 1490, though there is no accurate record of his birth. At some point before 1526, there being no accurate record, he married Mary Lord of Kendall. They had two sons and six daughters. His eldest son,