General Chat

Piglet reminded me! Edward made a big thing out of being Prince of Wales and toured the mining villages - announcing to all and large something must be done to help the mining communities and then disappeared back to London and his dissolute life. Great publicity - in all papers and then the miners found out the truth.

Harry in 1933 the first anti-jewish law was passed in Germany, Dachau was opened in March 1933.. Certainly by Dec 1936 jews were leaving in droves. Concentration camps were already in existence since 1933 and the Reichstag Fire.

Hitler as Chancellor was one thing - as Fuhrer another. He declared himself as Fuhrer on 2 August 1934. As to Edward , 1940 he had left south of France and I believe took refuge in Spain. He was reputed to be in talks with Germany - he held nazi sympathies - well documented. Our government on getting them out to where they could carry out no harm(after much tussle from Edward and his wife who insisted on taking everything they had including crates of linen and a sewing machine) and in order to thwart Hitler's plans to abduct them, take over UK and put Edward in as a puppet King. He did not care about a younger brother unsuited to the duties of monarchy, with a very bad stutter. His mother Queen Mary never forgave him not did the Queen Mum

I see it as fate. Had he not abdicated, the country could have been worse off with him as King instead of our Queen taking over the reins earlier than expected following the death of her father. No matter what anyone thinks of the monarchy I think the present Queen has put duty above everything, even if like us all she has misjudged situations sometimes.-jle

I stand by my comment. At the time of his abdication Hitler was very much a man to be admired. A great leader of a country which had been flat out on its knees. That much cannot be denied.

But what came later......

Happy days

I agree with Chris - he wasn't honourable at all he was nothing more than a spoilt brat. He then had the temerity to persuade his brother to pay him off with £5 million, around £250 million in today's money....!

Honourable, - I see him as selfish, self centred, egotistical and thank heavens he went - remember Harry he admired Hitler!

Good posting Elizabeth- but a sad one at that. Have always felt that they were the actions of an honourable man.

Best wishes Happy days

Dear All

Hello

On 11 December 1936, Edward VIII abdicated as King and gave this speech in a radio broadcast.


"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!!"


Edward married Wallis Simpson in 1937. They had the title of Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Edward's brother became King George VI.

Take gentle care
Very best wishes
xx