His people adored Edward VIII - until the day he fell in love with that 'jolly plain' adventuress

Daily Mail ^ | February 2, 2010 | Juliet Gardnier

[C19fan]

The royal princes plodded slowly and sadly behind the coffin of their father, George V, as it was hauled through the streets of London to lie in state in Westminster Hall.

In the silent crowd, Bloomsbury artist Vanessa Bell looked on the gun carriage draped with the royal standard and surmounted by the Imperial Crown and thought it 'unexpectedly lovely'. But then she caught sight of the new King, Edward VIII. What struck her was not just that he looked utterly miserable and very small, but that he was 'disreputable, patchy and debauched'. She was not impressed.

[C19fan]

I enjoy ed this excerpt:

"Liberal MP Robert Bernays decided the former King was a typical product of World War I. 'For four years he saw the world crashing to ruins and he thought, like so many of his own age, that all that mattered was pleasure."

Summary of the major consequence of World War I we are still living with today.

[Bodleian_Girl]

Very interesting article.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Thank you for posting this. I read the article, and I trully enjoy stories/history of the Royals.

Of course I remember my late Irish father being ‘mad’ at me for wakening early (and missing school) to watch the Wedding of Diana and whathisface. Affecting his brogue, ‘you’ve gone daft girl...’

[BigEdLB]

LOL - Family trees are odd things. My grandmother’s maiden name was Warfield, just as Dutcess Wallis... My mother related to me all the talk in the family at the time as the very distant cousin (7th) really stirred up England.

[BigEdLB]

I think QEII will tell `whatshisface` to take Camilla and hightail it to Bermuda where Uncle Edward lived out his life... and let William take the big job when it opens up.

[Tijeras_Slim]

You might find this of interest.

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Sun-Narrative-Decadence-England/dp/009461430X

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I have always believed, like you, that this is the plan. That both William and Harry have real military experience speaks to the Monarchy going forward. Queen Elizabeth I believe recognized the failings of Charles (and Edward...pffft)...so the ‘boys’ would be reared correctly.

[blam]

Charles is a little PANSY.

[AnAmericanMother]

Interesting that Lady Diana Duff-Cooper compared Mrs. Simpson to Becky Sharp.

But Becky was pretty. VERY pretty.

Mrs. Simpson was not. Edward just had a thing for older women.

[MHGinTN]

A ginger lover

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I have also read, as the Brits would say...in ‘randier’ tales that Mrs. Simpson had ‘talents’ that Edward VIII enjoyed.

That is all I shall add.

[AnAmericanMother]

I've heard those stories too - I think it was just rumor, probably started by the smart set that just couldn't see the attraction. Edward always struck me as being a weak sister. I think he was looking for a mother figure (all his lovers were much older, married women). At least he wasn't out exercising the droit de seigneur.

[Kenny Bunk]

Rumour hath it that the man was a case of pudendum minusculissimum.

[Malesherbes]

Re your Irish father’s view of things: Some years ago I went into an eatery in Boston for breakfast and ordered a toasted English muffin. The waitress called to the cook, “Burn the British!”

[SuziQ]

"Liberal MP Robert Bernays decided the former King was a typical product of World War I. 'For four years he saw the world crashing to ruins and he thought, like so many of his own age, that all that mattered was pleasure."

They didn't get over WWI before WWII came along and made that attitude even WORSE! I think the decline of Western civilization in Britain was the direct result of that moral malaise.

[Tainan]

And my Scottish Father making the sly remark on the same event....”Well, those English do like keepin’ things in the family...”...the trailing off unsaid words were always where he put the meaning.