Book SummaryThe Windsors at War, by Alexander Larman

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Windsors at War

The royal family endured ongoing pressures and was deeply affected by the crisis caused by the sovereign's renunciation of the throne.

The passage explores the enduring tension that surfaced among the royal household after Edward VIII chose to abdicate the throne. The narrative explores Edward's reasons for abdicating and emphasizes Wallis Simpson's role in causing familial strife, his unwavering efforts to secure a title of nobility for her, and the careful ways in which George VI sought to mend fences, as well as the deep-seated disdain the king and queen harbored towards Wallis. Edward continued to hold the conviction that he could dictate royal protocols despite his abdication, but consistently faced denial.

Edward VIII's decision to abdicate was significantly influenced by Wallis Simpson's role in creating tension within the royal family.

Larman posits that Edward VIII relinquished the throne chiefly due to his deep-seated love for Wallis Simpson. The crisis of a constitutional nature arose when the king planned to wed a twice-divorced woman, a choice deemed inappropriate for his stature as British royalty. On December 11, 1936, his decision to abdicate the throne created a profound rift within his family and throughout the country, resulting in long-lasting consequences and unexpectedly placed his unready sibling in the position of King George VI.

The king's refusal to grant Wallis a royal title deepened the rift between her and Edward.

The monarch's choice to withhold a royal title from Wallis deepened the existing divide between the brothers, a schism that had its roots in their early years. The official decree in May 1937 stated that while the Duke of Windsor would retain the title of His Royal Highness, this distinction would not be conferred upon his wife or any potential descendants. The dominions of Australia and Canada were also influential in blocking the legal sanction of a morganatic marriage in 1936, as their considerable opposition was a key factor alongside the king's profound dislike for her.

Context

• A morganatic marriage is one where a spouse of lower rank does not receive the titles or privileges of the other. This concept was more common in European nobility but was not traditionally recognized in British royal practice.
• The decision exacerbated existing tensions within the royal family, as Edward felt alienated and unsupported by his family, particularly his brother, who was now king.
• Edward was groomed as the heir apparent, receiving more attention and pressure, while Albert, with less expectation, developed a strong sense of duty and responsibility, leading to different worldviews.
• Wallis was a twice-divorced American socialite, which was controversial at the time, as the Church of England, headed by the monarch, opposed remarriage after divorce if a former spouse was still alive.
• The situation was unprecedented in modern British history, as no previous monarch had voluntarily abdicated, and it set a complex precedent for how titles were handled post-abdication.
• The dominions' governments were influenced by public opinion, which largely disapproved of the marriage. This pressure contributed to their stance against legalizing a morganatic marriage.
• During the 1930s, Australia and Canada were part of the British Empire as dominions, meaning they had a degree of autonomy but were still under the British Crown. Their opinions held significant weight...

The Windsors at War Summary The Duke of Windsor's widely recorded affiliations with the Nazis and his sympathetic views toward Germany.

The section explores the growing affinity of the Duke of Windsor towards Germany, which culminated in a Nazi plot to either persuade him to join their cause or kidnap him. Larman argues that the Duke was either politically inept or, in harsher critiques, intentionally engaged in treacherous behavior. Larman strengthens his case by detailing Edward's disastrous trip to Germany in 1937, his inadequately managed sojourn in the United States, and the debacle known as Operation Willi.

Edward's 1937 visit to Germany culminated in a meeting with Hitler, which unintentionally provided the Nazis with a propaganda victory and exposed his pro-German sentiments.

Larman compellingly argues that the clearest sign of the Duke of Windsor's pro-Nazi sympathies was his journey to Germany in October 1937. The former monarch's clear regard for Hitler, along with his keen interest in the industrial techniques he witnessed on his trip, resulted in claims that he was either duped by German propaganda or complicit with the Nazi government. He further exacerbated the situation by expressing his appreciation to Hitler for the pleasant times he had spent with Wallis.

The king's worries about...

The Windsors at War Summary The global conflict from 1939 to 1945 was a period marked by the British monarchy's guidance and experiences.

This part of the story sheds light on the individual efforts and commitments of the king, his wife, and their firstborn daughter throughout these times. Larman highlights their courage, adaptability, and commitment to the war effort, emphasizing their crucial contribution to enhancing Britain's spirit and unity, as well as their vital role in securing support from the United States.

The monarchs' unwavering commitment to stay in London during the Blitz stood as a strong demonstration of their allegiance to the war cause, greatly enhancing the spirits of the British people.

They notably chose to stay in London amidst the severe bombing raids instead of evacuating. The royal family's decision to remain in Buckingham Palace throughout the summer of 1940, as London and other cities faced bombardment by the German air force, became a beacon of hope for the nation. On September 13, they narrowly escaped a fatal incident when Buckingham Palace was bombed, yet they continued to visit regions devastated by the bombings and interacted with people mourning the destruction of their homes and loved ones. The king and his spouse were perceived as vigorous and brave, offering aid and...

The Windsors at War Summary The Windsor clan remained entangled in the ongoing repercussions and disagreements stemming from the abdication.

The author explores the continuous turmoil and disgraceful incidents that afflicted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, which arose not just from the abdication but also from their own reckless actions. The book explores the duke's ambition for Wallis to be granted a royal title and his unrelenting attempts to return to the UK, their mutual discontent with their Bahamian sojourn, their involvement in the contentious Oakes murder case, and the dire repercussions that could have arisen if the contents of the Marburg Files had come to light.

The former king consistently endeavored to obtain a formal position and a distinguished title for Wallis, demonstrating his unwavering conviction that he was entitled to impose conditions on his relatives as well as the governing authorities of Britain.

The ex-monarch devoted considerable time and energy during George VI's rule to improve his standing and to obtain a title of royalty for Wallis, which also involved the British government's attention. He wrote numerous fervent and rash letters, demanding recognition for the significant compromises he and Wallis had undertaken for the nation, which, in his view, merited some kind of recompense...

The Windsors at War Summary The British Establishment and government's watchfulness extended to meticulously monitoring the behavior of the Windsor family.

The book explores the tendency of the British elite in the 1930s and beyond to lean towards diplomatic conciliation and, on occasion, demonstrate a preference for Germany, highlighting the danger this presented to the nation as war loomed. Larman implies that while Edward's fondness for Germany and Hitler was not uncommon, his status as an ex-king posed a greater threat compared to his noble contemporaries. This segment of the narrative scrutinizes the imperative for vigilant surveillance by state and espionage bodies over his movements and locations, probing into the extraordinary episode where the Deputy Führer piloted his aircraft to Scotland, a situation that entangled numerous people from the elite circles he and Wallis frequented.

The appointment of successive Lords Stewards who were sympathetic to Nazi and German beliefs revealed reprehensible political views within the ranks of the royal household's personnel.

The author highlights two shocking examples that show the extent to which fascism penetrated the heart of British society, as evidenced by the successive Lords Stewards, Buccleuch and Hamilton, who passionately supported the formation of an alliance with...

The Windsors at War Summary The ongoing evolution of warfare and the unceasing change in the public's perception of the royal family's stature.

This section explores the impact of the conflict on leadership dynamics and the resulting perception by the populace. Larman portrays the initial enthusiasm for the conflict, which was supported by the symbolic power of the monarchy, giving way to apprehension and concern as Germany started to secure its first victories. American involvement and Churchill's leadership are starkly emphasized while the prominence of the former King Edward VIII noticeably diminished. Following the conflict, the country's desire for change was perfectly illustrated when Clement Attlee achieved a resounding victory in the 1945 general election, propelling him into the role of prime minister.

Germany's early victories in the war caused a change in mood from eager expectation to feelings of discontent and gloom among the British people, which ultimately resulted in the handover of leadership from Neville Chamberlain to Winston Churchill.

Larman depicts the considerable transformation in the attitudes of the British populace as the war unfolded from beginning to end. The initial wave of optimism for challenging Hitler's oppressive regime, epitomized by Chamberlain's public presentation of the...