Churchill and the abdication

Question 1

Public opinion on King George V

Answer 1

• He was well respected and a nice change from his father, who had lots of mistresses.
• Supporter of the war effort.
• He would broadcast directly to nation.
• Him and wife Mary kept an appropriate degree of aloofness.

Question 2

Reign of King George V

Answer 2

1910 - 1936

Question 3

David

Answer 3

• Eldest son of George V.
• Had a reputation as a playboy and his private life was not very respectable.
• He had a thing for elder women, even if they were married.
• He was a big fan of parties suitable for the “roaring twenties”
• He served in the armed forces during WW1 and carried out imperial tours and official openings.
• He would make off the cuff remarks

Question 4

Main problem with David

Answer 4

His attachment to Wallis Simpson

Question 5

How many divorces did Wallis Simpson have before marrying King Edward VIII?

Answer 5

2

Question 6

Why couldn’t Edward VIII marry Wallis Simpson?

Answer 6

He was the head of the church and the church prohibited the marriage of divorcees.
She was also American and not Anglican.

Question 7

Who was against the marriage?

Answer 7

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin told Edward that the public would be against the marriage in 1936.

Question 8

What did Edward propose?

Answer 8

Morganatic marriage, where she would be merely a Consort. This would need parliament’s approval in both Britain and the Self-Governing nations. Cabinet did not give permission.

Question 9

Why did the Cabinet refuse?

Answer 9

It would mean the break away of dominions as many of them were more anglican than England.

Question 10

Abdication.

Answer 10

December 1936 Edward broadcasted his speech of abdication.

Question 11

Churchill’s position?

Answer 11

He did not believe that the King needed to abdicate.
- Minority position
- “The King’s Friends” –> personal loyalty and chivalry
- He made a speech in the houses of parliament but was shouted down

Question 12

When did Churchill write a letter defending his viewpoint?

Answer 12

1st January 1937

Question 13

Who was one of Edward VII affairs? (1901 - 1910)

Answer 13

Jennie Churchill - Winston’s mother

Question 14

Some of Edward VIII’s previous affairs?

Answer 14

Parisian Courtesan in WW1

1918 –> Freda Dudley Ward (a married woman)

Question 15

How did Edward VIII and Willis Simpson meet?

Answer 15

1935. Introduced by Thelma Furness (another of Edward’s affairs)

Question 16

When did George V die?

Answer 16

20th January 1936

Question 17

Tommy Lascalles (Private Secretary to George VI and Queen Elizabeth)’s comments on Wallis Simpson?

Answer 17

“would not tolerate their monarch taking as his wife, and their Queen, a shop-soiled American, with two living husbands and a voice like a rusty saw.”

Question 18

General opinion of Edward VIII’s affair?

Answer 18

It was little known by the British public. The newspapers has a “gentleman’s agreement” not to spread the news. Only those with American friends or access to American papers knew what was going on.

Question 19

When was Edward VIII’s affair revealed to the public?

Answer 19

December 1936.

The public gorged on the gossip

Question 20

Jenkin’s view of the speech that had Churchill shouted down in the House of Commons?

Answer 20

“a classic example of running completely against the feeling of the House.”

Question 21

When did Edward VIII abdicate?

Answer 21

11th December 1936

Question 22

How does Churchill change his view on the abdication?

Answer 22

He noted that “we must obey the exhortations of the Prime Minister to look forward”.

Question 23

When did Edward VIII visit Hitler?

Answer 23

1937

Question 24

What did Goebbels say about Edward VIII in 1937?

Answer 24

“It’s a great shame he is no longer king. With him, we could have entered into an alliance.”

Question 25

What were the results of Edward’s visit with Hitler?

Answer 25

King George VI was deeply embarrassed

He later confessed in an interview that he was naive about Hitler

Edward and Wallis were sent to govern the Bahamas in WW2, due to Nazi schemes to kidnap Edward and return him to the British throne as a puppet King.