Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson - Full Interview with Kenneth Harris - 1970
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 січ 2015
- Kenneth Harris inretviews HRH Duke and Duchess of Windsor (former King Edward VIII and former Mrs Wallis Simpson) in 1970.
BBC Radio 4.
First broadcast on 27 March 1970.
Picture by Philippe Halsman.
More recordings of Edward VIII - • King Edward VIII Recor...
This recording is for educational purposes only and is covered under Fair Use doctrine of the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107.
No financial or other monetary gains are to be received from the display of this recording.
19:13 the Duke talking about his upbringing and relationship with his father is incredibly honest and touching - "...so I used to think, now who am I? No answer."
This is remarkable. Its surprising this interview is not more well known.
Actually the funny thing is that Wallis Simpson comes across as a person with some insight and perceptiveness ahead of her time, for example her opinion that smoking is a very bad habit and that woman should have careers, etc. I actually like her, just based on this interview.
It's weird, she always actually comes across as such an insightful, interesting person yet she's always portrayed as the villain.
@Tilly Divine This interview was in 1970. The tobacco companies just wanted to double their revenue.
I like her here, too. She's engaging and quite warm. Both of them put forward a surprising degree of honesty not typically seen with the royal family.
@Britannia Wallis Simpson was a man: so obvious & most people also knew it at the time & they got away with it: they were a gay couple: with Wallis as the "boss": who did extremely well out of poor Edward!!
@Tilly Divine "She" was actually a HE!!
I love the Duchess of Windsor's voice. A very old world, bourgeois sound!
Old hag
She is was so far from bourgeois or aristocracy. She was from Baltimore from an upper middle class family and two ex husband's and the suspicions of an unconsumated marriage
The Duchess had what's called a Mid-Atlantic accent. Americans tend to pick it up after living in England for a while. Or hearing mostly British speakers. In the 1930s and 40s, Mid-Atlantic was also spoken, in some form, by many movie stars.
That’s the seriously wrong use of the word bourgeois.
@@rippingale100 you’ll be old someday too 👍🏻
This is the first time I heard this interview, I honestly think they were two people ahead of their time, and they both seem very contented with the decisions the made.
They were content with marrying but they never really forgave the Royal Family for shunning them
@@jesuschrist9513 if I where them I wouldn't too
They were not at peace. Not at all.
@@jesuschrist9513 hi Jesus 👋🏼 😁
It doesn't matter. Be brought shame on England by collaborating with the Nazis. He deserved all be got
Fascinating and surprisingly comprehensive and candid interview - they both come across very well.
Yeah don't believe a word of it, read their auto biographies
Perhaps they came across 'well' because the discussion skirted what might have been called their 'flirtation' with the 3rd Reich - except that flirtations are usually rather briefer.
On a much more trivial note, how does one account for Wallis' life-long devotion to that terrible hairstyle?
@@helveticaification What accounts for Anne's from the 70s until 2023?
One of the most fascinating interviews I've ever listened to - never thought anything like this existed. Very interesting, honest and entertaining as well. It's shocking, that none of this has ever appeared in any documentary - it's so much more revealing than anything else written or said about them, but I assume it doesn't fit with the negative image that is usually painted of them.
Touching on his bid to align with Hitler would have been very enlightening. Or his desertion from his post to flee to the South of France while the rest of the military was evacuating men at Dunkirk.
@@damesaphira9790 You seem to like say nasty thi gs about people you have never known. Shame on You. Hope the karma hits on you. They cannot talk for themselves anymore so let them rest in peace.
@@chiasanzes9770 I really like this interview, and Wallis seems like great fun.
However, it has been proven true that Wallis and Edward were Nazi sympathizers and traitors.
'nasty things' which happen to be true. Shame on you.
it is a fascinating interview because while the two of them spoke, they never said anything.
What do you think of young people today?
they're having a lot of fun.
what did you think of the Duke when you met him?
I thought he was a man ahead of his time.
what about the loneliness of the elderly?
There's always a seat for a single man at a dinner party.
How did you line your time in the Bahamas? We liked it very much (at the time they complained constantly) the RAF gave me a silver box and I said something.
Why didn't you get a job ?
I don't know.
That was precious: two people who could not explain why neither of them ever got a job.
"The doctor told me it was better to smoke marijuana than regular cigarettes...." Lol
It's actually true I was told the same thing, not that I would smoke it, the reason being that nicotine has over 7000 chemicals, and extremely harmful smoking ANYTHING really isn't good for you but if you must smoke any practinoer will tell you marijuana is the healthier option
And today it is an actual medicine for various illnesses, mental and physical.
lolychan1......indeed it is. I consume my cannabis rather than smoke it. It’s healthier, lasts longer and the body manages to absorb all the wonderful health benefits. I take it for not only recreational purposes, but also for PTSD, anxiety and depression....this along with private psychotherapy appointments once a week (I spent fifteen years in the NHS mental health system and it only made things worse) and being in a peaceful, non abusive situation is really helping. It’s really mesmerising how it helps the mind see things from different perspectives.
His talk of the slums and his concerns , was well known to the working class and that’s why he was so loved by the people. Clearly a very lovely man , very much his own person .
He was also a racist. He spoke horribly about Indigenous Australians.
I thought he was charming too
@@trishmccarthydavis3425 "He was also a racist." Along with probably about 90 percent of the population of Britain to one degree or another at the time. I agree with you some of the things he said were very unpleasant. But in the other side of the balance we have to remember that not only did most people think very differently from us today, they also flat-out said things in a way that today would be unthinkable. At the end of the day, like all of us, I think he was very complex with his good points and his bad ones.
@@dan4lau Hmmmm 🤔, this defense doesn't stack up; I have read memoirs and letters from Black people living in Britain during the Victorian age who actively protested against racism and racist ideation. Edward 8th is from a later era, the point is that people of his era & earlier actively challenged racism holding people accountable for their actions, words and ideas. Thus the argument "he was of his era" doesn't stand up to scrutiny!
@@trishmccarthydavis3425 He was also a traitor and Nazi sympathiser; leaking information to the Nazis during the 2nd World War and meeting Hitler as well as being a close friend of Oswald Mosley the British Fascist and his wife who were also Nazi sympathisers.
What a brilliant interview! I never knew a lot about David except for what was shown in dramas and plays, and this really tells me a great deal about him. Bravo!
Wonderful enlightening interview conducted by an intelligent interviewer. A lot of information is shared and their personalities shine while being asked respectful questions. I’m glad the Duke and Duchess did finally agree to the interview-it’s one of the few in depth interviews of them both. Thank you for posting the full interview.
For someone painted so awful, he had a huge heart for those with little means and truly wanted to do something. During that time in history, there was nothing to help and it was life or death for those people. You can still hear his passion when he spoke about them. As a King, it must have been heartbreaking to see.
As for Wallis, she is quite charming, fun, and young at heart. Although I agree with the politics the palace had to adhere to, I believe the family shunning was mean and beyond brutal. She never wanted him to step down yet she has been painted as the manipulative woman. I hope they both are at peace now and together.
janebeatty2010 talk is cheap
She after only a few yrs despised him and made a joke of him in front of their friends all the time, she was hell bent on becoming Queen their are many autobiography is on both Edward and Wallis Smith I urge you to read them there are interviews with their friends that were there that witnessed all the pain she put Edward through and Edward was a sympathizer of the Nazis and had a great fondness for Hitler make no mistake these two are not very nice people
I'm very interested in Wallis and Edward The VIII. Some confusion on what is true or not.
I totally agree with your statement. They were true lovers and hopefully together now.
@@LaRni15
Rubbish. She certainly never "despised" him. Nor was she hell bent on becoming Queen. She begged him NOT to marry her.
You're spouting gossip and rubbish. Nor was a Nazi sympathiser.
The navy at the age of 12 can you imagine! Wow how times have changed! I could never imagine my 12 year old nephew in the navy he would be scared to death!!
What a king Britain lost, a joy of a man. He would have made an excellent reforming king and allowed his niece to become Queen at an older age having had time for her husband and her children.
Jane Doe absolutely
Music Lover true
Lucky UK that he abdicated.
The Duke of Windsor is extremely kind about his family, especially his father who treated him very badly and Queen Mary who was an unnatural mother, dismisive and neglectful of all her children. Prince John who suffered from epilepsy was removed from the family. The Duke of York was an alcoholic, given to outrageous tantrums, he also dribbled and drooled and lived with a naval surgeon who tried to look after him. The Duke of Gloucester was also an alcoholic who was sent to Australia until a premature stroke. The Duke of Kent was bisexual, alcoholic and a drug addict. The Prince of Wales cared for him and weaned him off cocaine but not his alcoholism. His beloved sister, Princess Mary was forced into marriage to a much older man and sought refuge with her brother, who helped her enormously. As parents King George Vth and Queen Mary failed their children in every regard and credit was due to the Prince of Wales who was strong enough to survive and would have made an excellent king.
Music Lover You sound like you know history.
Music Lover I agree about his parents. People can be such apologists for them. Not everyone treated their children so badly in that era. Poor Prince John. And the rest of the brothers all had serious issues.
Music Lover Bertie...King George VI? alcoholic? He was Duke of York right? He wasn't exactly a washup. Not sure I'm following that one right.
Tilly Divine, have you also come across stories of Edward being gay & Wallis Simpson being transgendered? I've read something about that, probably 30 years ago, but can't find a thing online about that now, despite the current obsession for claiming that every single celebrity being secretly transgendered. Wallis, who never had children looks more like a man than almost any other woman who such claims are now being made about.
@@willsirotak I just googled the other day and there are a few articals about her being intersex. I was watching a youtube video that said shed had ovarian cancer. Maybe she had pcos is my idea would make her more manly also loss of eastrogen if overies removed.
He’s interview is very insightful. He’s definitely a king with great ideas and ahead of his time.
He wanted Hitler to keep bombing England until England surrendered and then expected to be returned to the throne.
He also apparently gave away defensive plans of the Maginot Line fortifications to the Germans who subsequently altered their invasion plans, attacking through the Ardennes with their blitzkrieg. Churchill had to threaten him with a court martial if he didn’t return to England in 1940. He was basically exiled to govern the Bahamas, a paradise and far more than he deserved. It was a job he should’ve been grateful for given his background. He resigned his position as Governor of the Bahamas and then subsequently proceeded to complain about how he didn’t have a job in government. Apparently he threatened suicide if Wallis left him. I think it’s rather clear that he was mentally ill. Wallis was also rumored to have slept with Ribbentrop and Mussolini’s son. Hitler himself said that Wallis would make a fine queen. Hitler wanted to put them back on the throne of a defeated England and have them be his puppet king and queen. There were many British soldiers executed for treason for a minuscule fraction of what they did. Please read about the Marburg files and educate yourself. If by great ideas and ahead of his time you mean a treasonous Nazi collaborator, then yes he definitely was ahead of his time.
@@matthewjdenn : interesting information. There’s a lot of stuff I don’t know about WW2 history. Thank you for sharing.
Including his fondness of the Nazi?
SUPERB and must listen interview.
27:45 - 28:08, it is so illuminating to hear him talk of our present King, a living link to this past, a former PoW and King to another.
I enjoyed hearing the Duke of Windsor speak. He would have been wonderful to be around!
When they had dinner parties the people who were to sit next to him would visibly shudder to be stuck next to him for dinner. Everyone loved being around her at parties but all reported that he was a "dreadful boor", and those are the words of their close friends!
@@eileene.5870"Boor" or "bore"? I have heard of people saying he had no conversation or interests and was lacking in intellect: a dreary companion.
I don’t understand the hate this man gets. He literally turned down being the king of an empire for love. That is incredible
He was literally a nazi
Coz he was a terrible person to be royalty let alone king. His behaviour and treatment of common ppl wasn't good, let alone his own brother.
Yes I learned more about the man and now I wonder why he wasn’t publicly hanged.
Turning town a sacred responsibility before his own people for his personal happiness... yeah very likeable. Thank god he abdicated or UK could be speaking German now
More likely they would be speaking Russian than German. Without having the UK as a base to launch from the Allies never would’ve invaded at Normandy. Which would’ve made all of Western Europe Soviet territory.
I have tremendous great respect for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor having listened to this interview. They really sound very grounded and thoughtful, and also respectful for the horrible establishment that sought to destroy them. What a lesson for us all. Very forward thinking, as others have said in the comments. Not at all the phony and critical story that history has tried to force on us by the queen mother and her family, the Yorks - then Queen Elizabeth. How we treat others is a reflection on us, and never on the people we mistreat.
Shame of the British monarchy for how they shunned them.
They were Nazi sympathizers
@@bsrk3170 absolutely correct. It is amazing to me that people do no research to find the Hitler-Wallis-DukeofWindsor photos.
They were Nazi sympathisers to the extent that Rudolf Hess, who had met Edward and Wallis in Paris just prior to their trip to Germany, recorded: ‘The Duke is proud of his German blood, says he is more German than British … There is no need to lose a single German life in invading Britain." Hitler gave them an engraved gold box as a wedding present
They were also filmed performing the fascist salute as guests in Mussolini's Italy. Very forward thinking indeed 🤦♀️
So those Marburg Papers weren’t more revealing about what a callous man he was?
Wallis and Edward were very ahead of there time :)
Great interview. It provides an image of both the Duchess and the Duke that is far different from those given by the media over the years. We will never know for certain, but I believe that he would have been a good king who would work hard for the betterment of his people, and that his wife, Wallis, had the energy, style and devotion to serve as his Queen Consort and helpmate.
nope, he would support Hitler. and god knows what would be with Europe and world.
Their it a portion of this interview on video. It’s here on UA-cam about 25 mins of it. It’s clipped and chopped all up. I assume this audio version is the interview in it’s original entirety!
Shame there is no video !
Indeed.
There is a video on the BBC Archive. skip to 1min 48 secs for beginning of interview. www.bbc.co.uk/archive/edward_viii/12925.shtml
@MRoderics Not so. It was also broadcast on BBC1 under the banner of "The Tuesday Documentary". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1970-01-13#at-21.10
512kvinion this is perfect. I was laying down trying to wake up. I was glad it was just audio. I'm up now!
I didn't know they did podcasts in 1970.
Never heard of radio.
Young people today, think they were the first to think of all the ways of progress information technology, idiots!
@@W1728now No need to be rude about it
I'm reading comments sympathizing and romanticizing two people publicly friendly with Hitler. It is shocking to see how society forgot the hell that was during and after the second war and let itself be influenced by the words thought of by two people who wanted to conquer positive public opinion.
A lot of people were friendly with Hitler before he invaded Poland.
The Duke had a wondefull accent!
Loved this interesting interview. Really enjoyed
A much more sympathetic pair once one does their research fully.
Nah , supporting Nazis? ....no forgiveness
I agree totally!
@@MrPaultopp seems like you haven't done your research. They were no nazis, the reason why they visited Hitler was, that they hoped to get back to England. They thought they'd do something good if they connected England with Germany
@@rosechild3118
Emmm …
British intelligence had Edward and Wallis under surveillance
While Edward's strongly pro-German sentiments were shared by others, his outspokenness as heir to the throne made his words potentially dangerous. His support for Mosely and other fascist organizers (many of whom would be imprisoned after Britain went to war with Germany) increases suspicions on his political beliefs.
She was never in love with him. Look up her diaries that were made public. She called him a man who didn't want to grow up. She enjoyed the control she had over him.
I admire his candor. He chose love and happiness over a crown and a title... smart man...
After watching Documentaries and reading up on the prince and Wallis Simpson I’m begging to feel sorry for them and what was done to them by England and the queen mother had a lot to do with it. I was watching something yesterday about the queen mother titled I wasn’t as nice as ppl thought I was.. oh she got that right.. as far as their marriage there’s not one out there that’s perfect but I believe they loved each other in their own ways
I've hardly ever heard Wallis Simpson speak, and in listening to this interview of the late Duchess, I'm surprised to realize how witty, likable, and modern she was! Twice, the sexist interviewer Kenneth Harris tries to get the Duchess to agree with him that women shouldn't "compete" with men, that it was "defeminizing" for women to be in business, but the Duchess contradicts him on both counts. She also says sympathetic things about young people, whom the interviewer also seemed to dislike. I can absolutely see what Edward VIII saw in her. Now about their fascist leanings - that's a different story, and it obviously worked out quite well for the U.K. and the world that Edward's brother was crowned king after Edward VIII abdicated.
Alice Jacobson ... I agree with you completely
Agree. She was absolutely likeable
@@peepindis She was! Far more than him, in my opinion. He was very stilted in interview...boring actually.
I think he was trying to draw her out. He knew her opinions before he posed his questions but wanted her to feel a full part of the interview. I’m sure everyone wanted to interview the Duke but rarely do we hear the Duchess speak. I don’t think he was sexist at all but thankfully a very good interviewer. This is one of the few recordings of the Duchess where we hear her true thoughts, not rote answers to rote questions.
I am impressed with the Duke, he was a special man, not a tough man, but sweet, like Diana not one to be controlled. its a wonderful interview. As for the Duchess she seems very strong, confident, and intelligent. I am sure the Duke leaned on her. It is wonderful that they did this interview before the Dukes death , the Duchess very powerful and strong and the Duke a fine sensitive fellow not meant to bare the heavy weight of the crown that fell to his brother George and to his niece Elizabeth. Its tragic but he survived the trauma, poor Diana did not survive many years.
No wonder the Queen Mum wanted her kept out of town...she was very smart and quick to the point.
Not many men in the Royal Family have their hair at his age. Congratulations Duke of Windsor!
Enjoyed this
I've seen two documentaries about the Edward Vlll. He was pressured to abdicate. Now I see why, he had new ideas, compassion and determination. Both Duke and Duchess intelligent and kind.
Yes - especially his 'new ideas' about the Third Reich.
He was a Nazi
@@helveticaification Bravo. All the Haute Coture, fashion, mani-pedi's, the window dressing is taking a page right out of Hitler' book. It's so easy to "follow" people who present the prettiest picture. People don't want to see the truth, and/or remember it, very scary.
Thank you for posting this interview.What an opportunity to hear their voices speak about views and opinions versus all the unfavourable comments of them. A royal love story with a happy ending unlike Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
I agree. It is nice to be able to hear their voices and opinions. And too bad there isn't a video for this.
An astonishing interview, especially with the King. He comes across as so very intelligent, honest and also deeply natural. There is also a real humility and kindness there too. Ironic that his abdication ultimately made no difference: the present Queen would still be queen today.
zimnaya
Not true. He and Wallis were Nazi sympathizers, very pro Hitler and that would have changed many things during WW2. Thank goodness he abdicated.
+zimnaya You assume that he would not have reproduced.
Well, he and Wallis didn't reproduce. It is mooted in several biographies that her abortion of an early unwanted pregnancy, long before she met the Prince of Wales, had rendered her sterile. I suppose one should be grateful for small mercies.
+wholeNwon Even if the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were capable of having children, there were specific clauses in His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act (1936) excluding any future children of the Duke of Windsor (from any marriage) from the Order of Succession to the throne. Any children born would not bear the title 'HRH' and they, together with their descendants, would be specifically excluded from the Order of Succession and would not be members of the Royal Family.
ds1868 Of course. My oversight. But I think the country's history would have been more interesting if he had stayed. Wonder whether parliament would have ousted him.
I think that the story of it is so romantic - The King giving up his crown for the woman he loves. But when you dig deeper it's not so perfect. She never wanted to lose her Husband and by the sounds of it Edward would've abdicated for his ex-mistress too.
+Ali Murray you are correct after WW1 it is a recurring theme in his letters
Modern couple. It must have been so boring for them to listen to their never ending wacky critics.
I know there's a video of one in their interviews and I can't find it. Wow she's extremely clever and witty.
Excellent interview 👍
She did the British a favor and took the Duke of Windsor away. He was a weak and needy man who was not going to protect his country’s security around WWII.
Churchill did the whole thing. And he was a personal friend of the Duke. Nothing would have changed. Wallis was a pretext to get rid of him because he was against the stuffy old Establishment.
He is the most handsome monarch we ever had
He most definitly was a Very handsome man, but also his Brother-Bertie or King George was very handsome also as was Prince George of Kent who was killed in an airplane crash in 1943 I believe. Yes, Prince George was handsome also.
@@tinasuarez61 IMHO Bertie was very handsome, and to me he was more so, than his older brother Edward!!!!
O my god ,!!!!!
Not so handsome as a person. He was a Nazi sympathizer.
funny how she developed a british accent and she had a southern one before,
maureen heaps that's because she was married to an Englishman for decades
Well, it ended up being more of a “transatlantic” accent, much of which she had before. And Edward ended up picking up some of the American accent, both from her and from their numerous trips to America
She seems to have watched a lot of Audrey Hepburn films.
Thank you for this interview. After reading all the people criticising what happened back then I didn't know the English public were so perfect in themselves and devoid of emotional feeling.
They should be pitied, not admired. It was a sad relationship. He loved her.....he needed her, but she still loved her ex Simpson, as her letters have shown. This was an upper class affair that snowballed out of hand. She had taken it too far, she never expected him to abdicate. She always expected to be the King’s mistress. He wouldn’t have that...he wanted a wife....a mothering wife. It was sad. She ended up unhappy, he ended up a broken man....broken in spirit. He gave up an empire for her. Very foolish. The good thing was England was better off with George VI.
England was better off. . and what about the Empire?
Great Britain and the world have benefited by having a magnificent monarch, Elizabeth II. Edward and his Wallis carried out their self-absorbed romance,as a world cataclysm began.
It’s such a shame that this couple have had their reputation torn to shreds simply because the establishment had to kill the popularity and the support the King Edward had . Also the Duchess of Windsor has been very unfairly treated in history. Actually with her private letters being made public , proves she was not for the abdication and knew it would destroy them in same way. She was very happy with her then husband but unfortunately somehow got trapped herself ... He would’ve made an excellent King . As he didn’t have children Queen Elizabeth would’ve been the heir apparent . Seeing old footage of him , in the age of pre-social media, is just unbelievable how popular he was . There was literally stampedes where ever he appear. Unfortunately in order to kill that support , they had to completely kill his reputation...
He killed his own reputation by meeting with Hitler, helping the Nazi party at the expense of his own countrymen (in the hope that Hitler would fulfill his promise to reinstate him as king of England after the war), and for the rest of his life saying things like "Hitler was a good chap" and that "Hitler had the right ideas about the Jews" (Edward was very anti-semitic). His brother and the UK government did everything it could to hide Edward's Nazi-sympathies because they were terrified that if the public learned of it it would damage the monarchy (yes, their actions were self-serving, but they protected him too). The info only came out after an American historian published the information many years after the war was over (the Crown was correct on this topic).
He was a nazi
He seemed much nicer, intelligent and honest than I expected after reading all the terrible things about him. She as well.
Wow. Wallis was totally right and together as she dscribed the youth culture of the 60s. 6:30-7:50. Can you imagine how awesome it would have been if this fascinating smart energetic couple had reigned? We would still have ended up with Elizabeth as Queen (Wallis was too old to have kids), but the years 1936-the 70s sure would have been wild.
It wouldn't have been awesome at all!!They were Nazi sympathizers.
+Laurel Denver wonder as she was vowing to hitler if she thought of the "young people" being marched to their deaths in Nazi concentration camps.
BLTKellys and you really think these people would have given a damn?! Her Butler suggested to her that she should take up some charitable work in Paris and she told him she was forced to do it as the Governor’s wife in the Bahamas (for looks (?)) but had no intention of doing it if she didn’t have to!
No
@@animosity4u85 If that's true it was a fatal mistake. When he died she was left all on her own: robbed, abused and isolated by her Swiss lawyer. I think that engaging in charity would have provided with a network of meaningful & enduring relations she could have fallen back on.
I wonder if their relationship would be accepted these days...... I think that somewhat it wouldn't be. One living husband perhaps. But two? I , in younger years, always thought the Duchess was awful but hearing her in her own words... She seems intelligent, pragmatic and entertaining.
Well, the now future King, divorced himself, is married to a divorced woman and fully intends her to be his consort once he accedes - there's your answer!
leave him alone " they LOVE EACH OTHER!'
He would have been the best king it's sad really
Tilly Divine and was promised the throne by Hitler when Germany was going to invade us ! They didn’t thanks to our wonderful RAF the little Spitfires and complete togetherness of 🇬🇧
Ty
Wonderful couple they loved each other during their married life time.
hy xin no they didnt
he loved her, she didn't
The Duke speaks like the narrator of audiobooks
They are so human, grounded and way ahead of their time. They never would have fit in the monarche anyway.
No mention here of his constant carping to his brother and Churchill at the height of the war about trivial and petulant matters such as titles for her and demanding more money and releasing active soldiers from war duty to be his servants , he seems to have forgotten the poor slum dwellers in Britain or America or France for the remainder of his life as he did nothing but travel and party and entertain in lavish style . he knew for a certainty that there was no way he could marry her and remain king and take the coronation oath to uphold the traditions of the Anglican faith , he wanted out and this was his perfect escape , I mean really , I will kill myself if you don't marry me .
"The boy will ruin himself in a year." George V
"He will go on, becoming more and more tanned and more and more tired" Westbrook Pegler, shortly after Edwards abdication.
"He was only good when the going was good.'" Alistair Cooke, shortly after Windsor's death
Fascinating. I am not a monarchist but thought this was revealing. Edward came across as a human, with all the usual frailties. He seemed genuinely interested in the plight of ordinary citizens. Strange to hear the King considering the Queen has never given a single interview. He was from a very different era - the imperial past. I wonder if William or Henry have ever listened to this. They are far better than Charles, Camellia, Andrew or Edward.
Hugh Jarce prince Henry goes out with nazi Halloween costumes. Prince Edward hasn't and hasn't got divorced either. Henry isn't better than Wessex
@@Patrick3183 hopefully Harry will divorce "me again" and live out his life in quiet obscurity. Doubtful but one can dream.
They both seem very modern and genuine. He missed his family .
Interestingly, she talks about independence and career, but she never had a career or independence and was dependent on her all husbands. When Edward abdicated she did not want to marry him, however, she did marry him because she does not have other alternatives since her ex-husband was in an affair with another woman and was moving ahead in the divorce.
Most woman born at the time she was never had careers or independence.
An underrated King that could have done so much at a time of transition from the old stuffy world.
where is the full video...she was wearing a "mustard" dress.
It's easy to tell they only know rich people. If a woman is a widow, her husband likely left her a lot of money....not with everyone dear.
Who knows about this woman other than him? A totally mystery.
There’s something creepy about this couple. They both sound less than genuine and that there’s a hidden agenda. It was a good thing he was forced to abdicate.
I used to think he was an evil person, but..... his story is just tragic and he is misunderstood
No, he's not "misunderstood". We understand his motives, intentions and desires all too well now. They were all centred around himself not the duty he was born to. That doesn't make him evil but his weakness and disinterest in the monarchy could have made him a very dangerous king indeed. We can just thank God he chose to remove himself in the way he did, when he did.
Renee Bloggs that's a fair point.
He wasnt evil!!
Things always turn out they way they are supposed to be. And that is just what happened.god bless these two. His brother took the thrown and later came queen Elizabeth..
both had rather sad endings,especially hers. must bring joy to anyone whos left that still hates her.
umm, you know she was supporting the Nazi's right?
these two were so cute!
Like vomit!
@Percy Harry Hotspur the majority of Americans use the term when looking at babies and small children.
Waste of space and the British tax payers money
Except for the whole Nazi thing... They weren't great people.
Alex Martinez spoilt selfish prats
Bless
He would be dead in two years from this interview. So sad. I don't believe he was a traitor King!
He was a Nazi sympathizer.
I read that she didn’t want to marry him, just a dalliance, but when he rashly abdicated for his ‘love’ she felt compelled to marry him.
Lovely lady. Sad story
Over the past few years, I have grown an appreciation for English men.
Extraordinary couple. Love them
Nice , interesting,I wonder if he had second thoughts?
He may have loved her, but I doubt that she ever loved him. The only thing that he had going for him was that he was king & when he gave that up, all that was left was a shallow little Duke.
She stayed with him. If she didn't love him she wouldn't have stayed. Stop being so hateful.
@@hellooutthere8956 S/he was in it for the MONEY, RICHES, WEALTH & he had been married before & was basically a prerunner to RMM!!!
She had affairs with other men while they were married.
Yep she was a narcissist for sure 👍
What an interesting interview. A new side to the story from "the horse's mouth', so to speak. A man far ahead of his time in terms of the monarchy and the class divide at the time of the abdication. Had he been crowned he would, no doubt, have had to endure years of frustration. Queen Elizabeth has proven to be a wonderful monarch, riding the waves of changing times. God's blessings on her.
May both of your souls rest with the Lord. 🙏
Its very interesting to hear their voices as others have said pity there is no video. Wallis is charming and observant, someone I would like to have some wine and a chat with - she has personality and a lot to say. He on the other hand is a bit boring/boorish. I can see why he was besotted but they would not have made a very good King and Queen Consort, he in particular had strong Nazi sympathies and was a very weak willed man.
There is video now avsilable for watching on UA-cam.
Agreed
Wow! I've heard a little extract from this, but it's been amazing to hear the whole thing, especially hearing Wallas Simpson speak. While I think they would shudder at the comparison... given Edward's comments about people of other races, I suspect there's quite a bit of similarity between the story of Edward and Wallis and that of Harry and Meghan. Both couples were 'rebels' against the established order. Both were frustrated with formality and tradition and sought escape, both sought to be seen as people among people so-to-speak... both Edward and Harry had an identity crisis. And perhaps the most compelling comparison of them all, both couples have their fans who think they are/were good people mistreated by an uncaring 'establishment', and their detractors who see them as just selfish attention-seekers and even traitors.
If one can give up being king for "love", than one must not care too much about being king to begin with.
ZZ Stop
Is there any better reason for giving up the crown?
True
He shouldn't mess with a married woman in the first place.
I think it was about trying to share his life and duty, personally I feel the rightful king.. and our queen was the right choice. But utmost sadness for the Duke
The Duke of Windsor would have been more effective as a politician, rather than King. He may have been more accepted in Government rather than rejected in the Castle.
Edward's accent really rubbed off on her. Very Mid-Atlantic.
wallis simpson.....the ultimate dominatrix. she tamed a king.
good point. i dont see why he would be attracted to him except for something of that nature. he could have had any woman in the world.
dekubaner
i think she was much more intelligent than he was. she had wiles. he was an odd curmudgeon she was alert ambitious and adept. not much of a looker but she had it over him and used it.
Oh nonsense. They just liked each other.
I wonder how much truth there is to all they say about them.
It's a real pity he never remained king .
I like Wallis too. She did try very hard to get out of marrying him. She didn't want to have her reputation ruined.
Her reputation was not stellar.
Seems like he understood the concept of "tone deaf" before the catch phrase.
Boy that woman was sharp and quick!
I think the Monarchy would be in serious trouble now if he remained King.
He died relatively young and would still have been succeeded by George VI. Wartime would have a very different experience, though.
What are you talking about? George VI died in 1952. Edward VIII died in 1972. He would have been succeeded by Elizabeth, not George VI.
Actually, in that case he would have been succeeded by HRH Prince Henry the Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Elizabeth would be way down the order of succession. I was hypothesizing that George VI would most likely have lived much longer had he remained Prince Albert for awhile longer instead of so abruptly ascending the Throne. Who can say, though....
That is incorrect. The crown passes to the children of next-in-line if the next-in-line is deceased. It would still have been Elizabeth.
Today that is a matter of constitutional law but back then it was a matter of practice. I am unable to cite the exact chapter or page at the moment but Churchill addresses the issue in his Memoirs and says (I am paraphrasing, but it is almost an exact quote): As to the matter of what ifs, had Edward kept the Throne for the natural duration, the Princesses would for certain have been bypassed in favour of Gloucester, because, quite naturally, the Crown always sits more comfortably on the male head than the female.
I remembered the statement because I found it very odd, to say the least, and always thought that it would have been illegal to skip heirs (or heiresses, in this case) without some blatant reason. Apparently, it would be unusual and breaking, to an extent, with tradition, but not illegal. Today things are more precisely defined but even today the Parliament has to accept the monarch as Sovereign so, theoretically, they can also refuse to accept him/her. That is why Prince Charles is not the heir to the Throne but the heir apparent.
2018.... And now....an American actor &divorcee is accepted in the Royale' THE PAST IS SO TRAGIC & DARK
Yes things have moved along with Charles marrying a divorcee. However MM is 2nd fiddle i.e not likely to be Queen.
@@babs66 i think the word youre looking for is constitutionally irrelevant. She wouldn't be queen in any circumstances
@@erinhandI don't need you to tell me what words to use thank you. I have a BA in English and I can employ coloqualisms if I wish.
They look so stern in this pic !
Nothing about him associated with the Nazis?
The extent of his Nazi sympathies, if known at the time, would have been off-limits to the interviewer. Edward no doubt would have made it clear what he would or would not discuss.
Wallis Simpson was more genuine and honest than MEghan .
he comes across as insightful, reflective, smart and understanding. so how on earth is it, that in some of these wallis/edward documentaries, he is being labelled, by commentators, as not intelligent enough or talk of wallis, as clearly more intelligent etc. i really do not understand that. well, at the point of the interview, he has been matured, but he has been labelled, in a negative manner by some of his fellow 'peers', commenting on him in these films. what also is clear to me, is that wallis could not think of herself on her own. she, despite all the wittiness and smartness she had, she very much was a woman of the old times, an attachment to man.