Future King Edward VIII called French Canadians 'rotten ' in private letter . Derided them for being 'shirkers ' in not supporting British Empire in WW1 . WW1 divided Canada , with French-speakers accused of not doing enough . Letter was written by Edward to mother-of-two International Autograph Auctions ( IAA , 23 . The married socialite was the future King 's lover between 1918 to 1923 . He became king in 1936 but reign lasted only 11 months as he abdicated . Gave up the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson .
Future King Edward VIII called French Canadians 'rotten ' in private letter . Derided them for being 'shirkers ' in not supporting British Empire in WW1 . WW1 divided Canada , with French-speakers accused of not doing enough . Letter was written by Edward to mother-of-two Freda Dudley Ward , 23 . The married socialite was the future King 's lover between 1918 to 1923 . He became king in 1936 but reign lasted only 11 months as he abdicated . Gave up the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson .