Duke of Windsor plotted to regain throne!

[Bast]

LONDON: The Duke of Windsor plotted to return from exile in France and regain power as the health of King George VI deteriorated, according to letters discovered in America.

The Duke, who was Edward VIII until he abdicated in 1936, was at the centre of a conspiracy for him to become part of a regency. He may even have hoped to one day reclaim the throne, according to the letters. In the aftermath of World War II, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor revealed their ambitious streak in correspondence with Kenneth de Courcy, a maverick aristocrat.

The letters, unearthed by Christopher Wilson, a historian and author, showed the plotting reached its height in 1949 when the King's health was grave. Some courtiers feared that George VI would become too ill to rule and that the young Princess Elizabeth, 23, would effectively reign under the influence of Earl Mountbatten and Prince Philip of Greece.

In a letter to de Courcy written in 1946, the Duke refers to ''the subject we discussed in Paris''. He adds that he and the Duchess want to ''plan for the future in the most constructive and convenient way''. The Duchess, who as a divorcee had forced the abdication crisis when she won the King's heart, was in on the scheming. In a note to de Courcy written later in 1946, she said: ''… There's no doubt that something must be done … Anyway I can't sit by and see the Duke of Windsor wasted.'' Just weeks after the ailing George VI underwent a major operation in 1949, de Courcy wrote to the Duchess: ''The King is gravely ill … Those around him will gain greater and greater power. I may tell you most confidentially that a Regency has already been discussed and it seems likely enough that presently [a regent] will be appointed.

''I do not think it too much to say that if the Regency should be one primarily influenced by the Mountbattens [that is, Lord Mountbatten and Prince Philip], the consequences for the [Windsor] Dynasty might be fatal … the Mountbattens, thoroughly well-informed of the situation, will do everything … to increase their influence … ''

http://www.smh.com.au/world/as-brot...d-to-regain-throne-letters-20091122-issb.html

What do you guys think? Intrigue!

 

[Perfection]

Just another reason why the British monarchy should be abolished.

 

[WhiteEagle22]

There's an old saying from a series, "Once a king or queen, always a king or queen." This just proves it to me.

 

[Karalysia]

One wonders why he put so much effort in trying to gain a largely powerless position? Delusions of grandeur perhaps.

 

[bhsup]

They're all just a bunch of usurpers. Until the rightful heir, some mysterious as yet uncovered descendant of Edgar the Ætheling of the House of Wessex is found, things just won't be right.

 

[WhiteEagle22]

I think that House is extinct.

 

[Eretz Yisrael]

The Duke always seemed to have a slight scowl on his face in his photos; this just proved my supsicions.

I prefer the present Queen better - she always reminds me of my great old grandmother.

 

[aronnax]

Since the off topic forum is usually for among various themes, modern political news, your thread on the Duke of Windsor is either 63 years late or should belong in the History Forum. Preferably, in the "History Questions That Don't Deserve Their Own Thread Thread"

Plus that nose on the Queen?

 

[Mise]

Nobody cares.

 

[azzaman333]

Nobody cares.

This man knows.

 

[Lord Baal]

This isn't really a surprise. He was (allegedly) Hitler's choice to take the crown if Operation: Sealion succeeded, after all.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

One wonders why he put so much effort in trying to gain a largely powerless position? Delusions of grandeur perhaps.

Both Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson were supporters of the Nazi Party. Edward VIII didn't give up the throne willingly - he abdicated kicking and screaming in private, although he did manage a dignified speech on the radio about "the woman I love."

And thank goodness. Say what you will about the shenanigans of Elizabeth II's children's marriage woes - I'd rather have them than a bunch of Nazi sympathizers.

 

[Lord Baal]

Both Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson were supporters of the Nazi Party. Edward VIII didn't give up the throne willingly - he abdicated kicking and screaming in private, although he did manage a dignified speech on the radio about "the woman I love."

And thank goodness. Say what you will about the shenanigans of Elizabeth II's children's marriage woes - I'd rather have them than a bunch of Nazi sympathizers.

Too bad about Prince Harry then.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Indeed. Let's hope that William gets married and has an "heir and a spare" ASAP. He's certainly old enough now.

 

[Dachs]

If only the Nazis had brought back the Hohenzollerns like some thought they would have

 

[Lord Baal]

Indeed. Let's hope that William gets married and has an "heir and a spare" ASAP. He's certainly old enough now.

I actually think he'd be entertaining as hell. That's why I wish Philip were king. Magnify the stupidity of what he currently says a thousandfold. That would make great television.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Moderator Action: Moved to History.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

http://www.smh.com.au/world/as-brot...d-to-regain-throne-letters-20091122-issb.html

What do you guys think? Intrigue!

What? That bastard!

Surprised to head Mountbatten's name come up in that, seeing as he was taking an active part in dismantling the Empire at that time.

 

[Lord Baal]

What? That bastard!

Surprised to head Mountbatten's name come up in that, seeing as he was taking an active part in dismantling the Empire at that time.

Mountbatten was a pretty contradictory fellow, from what I've read of him.

 

[Plotinus]

One wonders why he put so much effort in trying to gain a largely powerless position? Delusions of grandeur perhaps.

You're forgetting that British monarchs wield immense power behind the scenes, and all those government ministers and people are just for show.

I'd say that this story illustrates not so much the pointlessness of the British monarchy (something which is obvious anyway) as the small tragedies caused by its weird rules and protocols. Edward VIII wanted to be king. George VI didn't want to be king. But the weird rule about how the king wasn't permitted to marry a divorcee meant that George had to be king and Edward couldn't be. Not only did it make both of them miserable but it led to George's unpleasant wife holding a massive grudge against Edward and Wallace for the rest of her very long life. This is what pointless rules do to people.