Incredible 'lost' photo album shows Edward VIII and his mistress Wallis Simpson on the cruise that triggered the abdication crisis

• e-mail

Standing shirtless at a Greek beauty spot, this photograph could be of any carefree young Englishman on holiday. 

But this black-and-white image features a then recently-crowned King Edward VIII, taken while on a cruise with his future wife, Wallis Simpson, in 1936.

The remarkable image is part of a private never-before-seen collection of 200 pictures documenting the couple's summer getaway, which the monarch embarked on against the wishes of his government. 

At the time, the American socialite was still married to her second husband, shipbroker Ernest Simpson, and her illicit relationship with the British monarch was not publicly known. 

Months after their return, the King announced he wanted to marry his divorcee lover - sparking the British constitutional crisis that would eventually lead to his abdication.

Holiday album: A shirtless King Edward VIII poses at a Greek beauty spot during a stop on the controversial cruise in August 1936

Blossoming romance: The King and Wallis Simpson (centre) with friend Katherine Rogers in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1936

Private cruise: The King chartered the luxury Nahlin yacht, pictured, for an extended holiday, against the wishes of his Government

The photographs were taken by Herman and Katherine Rogers, who were close friends of Mrs Simpson, and later the King. The Rogers' were invited to join the sweethearts on board The Nahlin yacht for the now infamous cruise around the Adriatic Sea. 

Afterwards, the group continued their fun with a stay at Balmoral Castle.

The images were recently uncovered by the Rogers' granddaughter, after more than 80 years locked in a safe at their family home in Canada. They will now be put up for auction alongside a number of tokens and presents from Edward and Wallis. 

Auctioneer Kerry Taylor said: 'Edward had only been King for a few months and decided to charter a yacht, The Nahlin, and go off on this cruise with Wallis. The Prime Minister advised against it but Edward pretty much said that he was King and he could do what he liked.

'The Rogers joined them and were very savvy with a lot of foresight because they realised they in the middle of something very historic and took photographs and kept mementos from this time.

'The photos clearly illustrate the romance and growing closeness between Edward and Wallis, who was still married at the time. They are lovely photos and show a happy couple who are quite carefree.

'It is astonishing to see any private Royal photographs but to find 200 of them in one album that chart the illicit romance of the king who gave away his Empire for the woman he loved is just remarkable.'

Frolicking in the sea: Wallis Simpson, left, wears a bathing suit and swimming cap as she paddles in the water during the cruise

Candid moments: (l-r) Louis Mountbatten, King Edward, Katherine Rogers, a friend, Wallis Simpson and Edwina Mountbatten at Balmoral

The black-and-white photos show Mrs Simpson dipping her toes in the sea while wearing a bathing suit and swimming cap. The friends are also seen enjoying pictures in the baking European sun. 

On their return to Britain, Edward was so keen to continue the holiday that he invited the group to join him at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Photographs show the King wearing a kilt while out for a country walk with Wallis and Mrs Rogers. The King's cousin, Louis Mountbatten, also joined the party.

Weeks after the holiday, Edward announced his intention to Marry Wallis. The news was met with widespread disapproval by the Government and the British public as Wallis was a divorcee and considered 'morally unsuitable' as a prospective consort.

As the monarch, Edward was also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which did not permit the remarriage of divorced people with living ex-spouses until 2002. In December 1936, Edward abdicated the throne so he could marry Wallis. His younger brother, George VI, became King.

The Rogers' collection also includes a gold and sapphire-encrusted Cartier cigarette case gifted to Mr Rogers by Edward and Wallis at their June 1937 wedding. Mr Rogers walked the bride down the aisle.

Personal: A page from the Rogers' guest book, including Wallis' signature (third from top), during her marriage to first husband Earl Winfield Spencer. Right, a note from Balmoral signed by King Edward and Wallis. The black border marks the death of King George V

On the inside lid of the case is an inscription that reads: 'We will never forget a great friendship. Edward and Wallis', alongside the dates of the abdication and the wedding. The case is expect to fetch £30,000 at auction. A matching compact case gifted to Mrs Wallis is valued at £20,000.

There is also Balmoral stationary, signed by Edward, Wallis and Louis Mountbatten, with a black border to mark the death of Edward's father, King George V. The note is thought to be worth £3,000.

A guest book from the Rogers' villa in Cannes, in the south of France, will also go under the hammer. The book was signed by a number of high-profile visitors in the 1920s and 1930s, including Wallis.

Other gifts for sale include an 18th century engraved silver salver, given to the Rogers by Edward and Wallis, then the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, after the abdication crisis. It is valued at £3,000.  

The items, worth a total of £60,000, will be sold at Kerry Taylor Auctions, in London, on June 14. 

Touching gift: The gold and sapphire-encrusted Cartier cigarette case given to Mr Rogers by Edward and Wallis at their June 1937 wedding. The inscription reads: 'We will never forget a great friendship. Edward and Wallis'. Right, one of Wallis' handbags

Never-before-seen: The personal photo album, pictured, has been locked away in the Rogers' family safe in Canada for 80 years