"Everybody who knows me - and the amount I cherish playing for England - will acknowledge what a troublesome choice it has been for me to resign from worldwide cricket," she said.
"It's a choice I've come to after much thought and point by point examination with [England coach] Mark Robinson and [director of England ladies' cricket] Clare Connor about what is best for the group going ahead.
"I have given 20 years to playing for England and I leave exceptionally glad for the remaining in which the ladies' diversion is held and of my commitment as a player and commander."
Edwards has experienced her fantasy, in a time of managed accomplishment for her group.
She included: "As a 16-year-old young lady making my presentation for England, I couldn't have envisioned that I would have had such an astounding time with so much achievement.
"I've ventured to the far corners of the planet, won World Cups and Ashes arrangement and imparted everything to some of my dearest companions.
"Be that as it may, nothing keeps going forever."
Edwards has blended emotions about the end of her vocation, however has consented to call time and permit Robinson to form another group. The England and Wales Cricket Board will report her successor at the appropriate time.
"I trust now is the correct time for another chief to lead the group forward and for youthful players to be given more chances to make their blemish on the worldwide diversion," she said.
"After legitimate and open exchanges with Mark, it turned out to be clear that he needs to assemble another group - and I completely bolster that.
"I would have wanted to have carried on - keeping in mind I am frustrated that I won't do as such, I completely comprehend and regard what Mark is hoping to do.
"This is another period and he needs different players to go to the fore to fabricate a solid group.
"Beside the group's triumphs and my very own record, I am most pleased with where the ladies' amusement is currently."
Edwards has shown up than some other female cricketer, and has made more Twenty20 keeps running for her nation than some other man or lady around the world.
Her Ashes triumphs as skipper came in 2008 and 2014 in Australia, and 2013 in England. In 2008, she was the International Cricket Council's ladies' player of the year and - taking after those consecutive Ashes triumphs - in 2014 was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year and recompensed a CBE.
ECB CEO Tom Harrison paid her a rich tribute.
"Charlotte Edwards has been at the heart of the England ladies' group and a noteworthy power in worldwide ladies' cricket for two decades," he said.
"Her exceptional accomplishments in the amusement amid that time are unrivaled, and in numerous angles, are unrealistic to ever be surpassed.
"She leaves the most magnificent legacy, having roused incalculable ladies and young ladies around the globe to get a bat and a ball and play the diversion she so plainly cherishes.
"For the benefit of the ECB and everybody required in England cricket, I might want to express gratitude toward Charlotte for her extremely unique commitment to the diversion."
Connor included: "In an amazing vocation spreading over 20 years, she has accomplished it all. She has seen incredible change: from making her introduction in 1996 when, matured 16, she paid £50 for the benefit of her first England overcoat to turning completely proficient for these sundown years of her profession.
"Not at all like her game and her trip through it, Charlotte the individual has scarcely changed.
"In spite of the CBE, the expert get, the media demands and the World Cup awards, she has stayed steady, consistent with herself, a flawless good example for our game and, for sure, for all ladies in game."
Edwards will keep on playing residential cricket as commander of Kent and the Southern Vipers, in this present summer's inaugural Kia Super League.