by The Laird o’Thistle
December 7 2011

Saturday, 10 December 2011, marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the abdication of King Edward VIII (the Duke of Windsor), and the accession of King George VI.It also marks another “jubilee” of sorts for Queen Elizabeth II, who at age ten-and-a-half years became Heiress Presumptive to the British throne.(In the style of the time a woman could not be “Heir Apparent”.)Given the lingering trauma and painful memories of those days the Queen and her family are taking no official note of the anniversary, yet in many ways, it marks the true beginning of the story of the current reign, which it did so much to shape.

The old tale of the King who gave up the throne “for the woman I love” took a new twist this year, as research into some rediscovered correspondence of the Duchess of Windsor seems to reveal that she really was a somewhat reluctant bride who felt rather trapped by Edward’s extreme emotional dependence. Although Seeba’s source insists on remaining anonymous, the letters (if authentic) seem to come from someone closely connected to the family of Wallis’s former husband, Ernest Simpson. The documents also apparently raise a serious question of whether the divorce of Wallis and Ernest Simpson was even legal.

I think that the most honest, if not charitable, an assessment that can be offered concerning King Edward VIII is that he made a real mess of anything of substance that he ever tried putting his hand to, and succeeded only by fading into the status of being a celebrity nonentity. Unlike his grandnephew, the current Prince of Wales, he never actively applied himself to any causes or charitable work designed to make a real difference in the world. He was at best fatally naïve, and at worst damnably collusive with Fascists and Nazis in the years leading into World War II. During the war, he got a bit too close to some nasty organized crime figures while governor of the Bahamas. But was a good gardener, bought his wife beautiful things, and loved his little dogs. Needless to say, I stand by the assessment I offered of the poor man five years ago, except that perhaps I’ve become even less of a fan.

Exit Edward VIII, enter George VI. This last year we were treated to the wonderful tale, The King’s Speech, which although it is not accurate in every detail – any more than was Mrs. Brown, or The Queen – beautifully conveys the “gist” of the story of “Bertie” Duke of York and his unanticipated accession to the “intolerable burden” of the throne. In many ways as flawed, scarred, and fragile as his elder brother, the difference in George VI was his total devotion to do his best to do his duty to crown and country even if (as it did) it killed him. The contrast could hardly be greater.

The same holds true of the two wives. Wallis seems to have never “got it” that the so-called “Dumpy Duchess” of York was, when push came to shove, a most steely and implacable foe. Fiercely devoted to her husband, her daughters, AND her country, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon well deserved the unofficial title bestowed on her by none other than Adolph Hitler… “the most dangerous woman in Europe.” Facile Wallis ran a distant second, at best.

And then there was the new king’s elder daughter… the young girl who reportedly turned to her governess after Edward brought Mrs. Simpson unannounced to tea and pointedly asked, “Crawfie, who is that woman?” Seventy-five years ago the life of Princess Elizabeth of York changed as suddenly and radically as that of her parents. From the relatively modest and informal family life at 145 Piccadilly, she suddenly found herself thrust into the chilly inconvenient grandeur of Buckingham Palace and a spotlighted existence that has never let up since.

The climactic moment of the transition between the two kings was Edward’s farewell broadcast from Windsor Castle on the night of 11 December 1936. George VI was proclaimed the following day, with perhaps the most poignant symbol of the great change being the curtsey his two young daughters made to him as he returned home. Just five months later, on 12 May 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mum) were crowned at Westminster with their daughters and Queen Mary looking on. It was the date originally scheduled for Edward’s coronation, and the government had simply decided to proceed as planned. “Same date, different king.” Edward and Mrs. Simpson were married on 3 June at a chateau in France.

I decided that the best way to mark the anniversary is to end this essay with the text of the abdication speech, something that everyone who heard it at the time remembered ever after. Winston Churchill helped Edward write it, and it contains several patent untruths, but it ultimately served Edward, the Crown, and the country well.

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Speech by Prince Edward (Duke of Windsor) broadcast from Windsor Castle on 11 December 1936:

At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.

A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.

You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.

But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.

And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course.
I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all.

This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me — a happy home with his wife and children.

During these hard days I have been comforted by her majesty my mother and by my family. The ministers of the crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, and between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise.

Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that I am very grateful.

I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to his majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.

And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!

Yours aye,

-Ken Cuthbertson