Existence Gallery

The coronation of King Edward VIII

Impression of the coronation of King Edward VIII showing the moment the king is crowned. The illustration appeared in a prepared Coronation number of the Illustrated London News, still in existence in the archive, full of images of the day, as well as blank pages ready for photographs. Edward abdicated the throne in December 1936 in order to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson and was succeeded by his younger brother, Albert (George VI). He became Duke of Windsor and married Wallis in 1937.
1937

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Prince Leopold

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853-1884), Queen Victoria's fourth son and eighth child shown reading. The most academic of the Queen's sons, Leopold led a closeted existence due to his haemophilia. In 1872, he became a student at Oxford, much against his mother's wishes, but where he mixed with some of the finest minds in the country. Leopold took on an increasingly active role in public life, supporting a wide range of social, medical and artistic causes and enjoyed a happy marriage to Priness Helena of Waldeck with whom he had two children. Leopold died in 1884 following a fall while recuperating in CAnnes.

© Charlotte Zeepvat/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library

Morey Bernstein, businessman, hypnotist and writer

Morey Bernstein (1919-1999), Colorado businessman, amateur hypnotist, and author of the book, The Search for Bridey Murphy. In 1952 Bernstein hypnotised Virginia Tighe, a Colorado housewife, who regressed into a 'former existence' as a 19th century Irishwoman named Bridey Murphy. In 1956 he published a book on the subject, giving Tighe the pseudonym of Ruth Simmons. The book was a bestseller and caused a sensation, though the so-called 'reincarnation' was later discredited.

© Mary Evans Picture Library