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 Mason VI George Mason VI George Mason VI (August 11, 1786 - August 21, 1834) was a prominent Virginia planter. Mason was the eldest son of planter and businessman George Mason V and grandson of United States patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the United States Constitutional Convention, George Mason. Born on 11 August 1786 in Fairfax County, Virginia, Mason was the eldest son of George Mason V and his wife Elizabeth "Betsey" Mary Ann Barnes Hooe. Mason inherited Gunston Hall and by 1825, he had also acquired the Fairfax family seat of Mount Eagle. George married his cousin Elizabeth Thomson