The audio content discusses the romantic and controversial story of Edward VIII, the former King of England, and his American lover, Wallis Simpson. Edward was the heir to the throne until his father's death in 1936, after which he became king. However, his relationship with Wallis Simpson, who was divorced twice, was causing a scandal.
Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin advised Edward to act more discreetly in his affair with Wallis. Edward's brother, George VI, was crowned as king after Edward's abdication in 1936, and Edward married Wallis later that year. Despite his abdication, Edward's relationship with Wallis was becoming less covert.
Edward and Wallis were exiled from England and settled in France, becoming the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Edward's past, particularly his apparent sympathy towards Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party during World War II, was not romanticized. Documents discovered after the war revealed Edward's secret conversations with Hitler in 1937, which included plans to make Edward a puppet king after a Nazi invasion of England.
During the war, Edward and Wallis behaved as though the war was an inconvenience to them. They were reportedly most concerned with their personal belongings and comforts, which led to public outrage and fears that they were acting as Nazi sympathizers.
After the war, the British government and monarchy realized that the Windsors were a severe liability. The existence of a Windsor file documenting Edward's conversations with Hitler was a major concern. The file was ordered to be destroyed, but thanks to the efforts of historian Paul Sweet, the papers were published in 1957.
The story of Edward and Wallis shows the darker side of royalty, the lengths to which British officials went to cover up their transgressions, and the enduring fascination with royalty that transcends the fairy tale surface.
1. The text discusses the love story between Edward VIII, the former King of England, and Wallis Simpson, an American woman who changed the course of his life.
2. Edward VIII succeeded his father, King George V, as King of England in January 1936.
3. Edward VIII met Wallis Simpson about five years before his ascension to the throne.
4. The couple became friends and Edward often visited the Simpsons at their London flat.
5. Wallace Simpson was still married to Ernest Simpson when she and Edward became close.
6. Wallace Simpson's husband, Ernest Simpson, was often missing from their rendezvous.
7. By July of 1936, Wallace Simpson and her husband were heading towards divorce.
8. Edward's relationship with Mrs. Simpson was becoming less covert.
9. In October 1936, Edward asked for a morganatic marriage to Wallace Simpson, meaning they could marry but she would not be queen.
10. The proposal was rejected, and Edward announced his abdication in December 1936.
11. Edward and Wallace were married in June 1937.
12. Edward and Wallace were exiled from England and settled at an estate in France.
13. Edward's abdication came after Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin advised him to act more discreetly in his affair with Wallace Simpson.
14. Edward's past allegiance to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party was discovered towards the end of World War II.
15. Hitler's goal was to make Edward a loyal Nazi ally, and for the most part, he seemed to have been somewhat successful.
16. Edward agreed to promote reciprocal visits by German and British war veterans.
17. The British government and monarchy realized that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were a severe liability during the war years.
18. During World War II, Edward and Wallace behaved as though the war was an inconvenience to them.
19. Hitler had planned to kidnap the couple, a plan known as Operation Will.
20. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor left for the Bahamas due to enormous pressure from Britain and their own fears.
21. The end of the war brought new worries to the monarchy and British government about their exiled king.
22. The existence of a Windsor file, documenting the conversation between Edward and Hitler in the fall of 1937, was a concern.
23. The documents were saved from destruction and published in 1957.
24. The story also shows how arduously British officials work to cover up the realities of their royalties' transgressions.