Reviews for Edward VIII

The average rating for Edward VIII based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-01-27 00:00:00 Tim Gordon Edward VIII, by Frances Donaldson, is an excruciatingly detailed biography of Edward VIII, more commonly known as the Duke of Windsor. Much emphasis is placed upon his upbringing (not one one would envy, despite the wealth and title). The royal parents were actually quite crappy parents when you get down to it, and much of the later behaviour of the Duke can be laid at their feet. However, in the end, the portrait painted of the Duke is one of a man, not too bright to put it mildly, badly educated, and surrounded with sycophants who told him what he wanted to hear, but with a great deal of physical charm and a practical sense of how to relate to the "common man." The tragedy is of course that all this talent was completely wasted because he chose, early on, to marry another man's wife and spent the rest of his life a) making that happen and b) paying the consequences. The concurrent description of Wallis Simpson was very interesting as well. She was described by many (in other books as well) as not loving him quite as much as he loved her. If she had truly wanted to prevent the "tragedy" of the life of the Duke, she would not have permitted his attentions, and would have absented herself from his presence permanently. She didn't, and much if not most of the blame for his aimless and sad later life is to be placed at her feet. At the end of the book, and the end of his life, it's impossible not to make comparisons between the Duke and the current Prince of Wales. Consider: the Duke gave up the throne and lived a life, mainly pointless, with no real job or point to his life because he broke up a marriage and then married the divorcee. He spent the rest of his life hopelessly trying to get the Royal Family to recognize Wallis, and grant her the title of Her Royal Highness (they didn't). The current Prince broke up a marriage, married the woman in question, lives a life without a real job or aim to his life, is surrounded by sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear, but lost nothing at all in status, money, title, etc. His wife will by all accounts become Queen of England one day. It is amazing what the passage of 80 years changed in the way of acceptance of what is identical behaviour. What would the Royal Family be like now if Edward had not found it necessary to abdicate? He would have remained King. The Queen would have remained a Princess, Charles would not be the heir apparent. The entire Diana tragedy would not have occurred. Camilla would not be Queen in waiting.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-06-07 00:00:00 George Trueman A fairly evenhanded and unbiased account of the Duke of Windsor; a.k.a King Edward VIII. I would have liked to have seen more discussion on his later life after WWII as it only comprises two chapters. A vast majority of the book seemed to focus on his relationship with Germany. It's no secret that the Duke of Windsor was ill equipped to be king of England. He lacked a sense of self-sacrifice and of duty that would be required to rule. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and he wasn't prepared for the sacrifice that was asked of him. I do feel that there was more to the abdication than marriage to Wallis. One day we may know. Wallis also reminds me of a modern day Anne Boleyn. There, I said it. She had ample opportunity to remove herself from the situation and walk away. She was married after all. And she didn't. She lead him to exile and away from his duty and obligation. However, it is fair to concede that England got the better end of the deal when George VI ascended the throne. One can't help but feel for the Duke of Windsor. When he abdicated he seemed to genuinely feel that he could step into his brothers shoes and become a royal Duke and fulfill the role his brother did while his brother took his place. But you can't have your cake and eat it too. Donaldson summed the whole situation up best "...the Duke came very near falling into the trap his father had warned him about so long ago and confusing person with his position. It was to the later that the loyalists of the Prime Minister and the government belonged. Once they despaired of saving the monarch, it was their duty to save the monarchy."