Book SummaryTraitor King, by Andrew Lownie

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Traitor King

Involvement of the Duke of Windsor in the sequence of occurrences that culminated in his renunciation of the throne.

The Duke's decision to marry Wallis Simpson sparked a constitutional crisis of significant proportions.

The Prince of Wales possessed such unwavering determination to marry Wallis Simpson, an American who had been married twice before, that he was willing to forfeit his right to the throne for their union.

Lownie emphasizes Edward's unwavering dedication to Wallis Simpson, an American with two previous divorces, a bond that culminated in his decision to abdicate the throne. He portrays Edward's deep love for Wallis as the driving force that led him to defy the norms and expectations of the time in which he lived. Edward viewed Wallis as the sole person who truly understood and accepted his essence, his soulmate. He firmly believed that fulfilling his duties as a monarch necessitated her involvement. Edward saw his abdication as an opportunity to free himself from the constraints and responsibilities of royal life, setting out on a new path with Wallis that was founded on love and the search for personal fulfillment.

Edward's desire to marry Wallis was met with considerable opposition, primarily due to Wallis's previous marriages, from both governmental bodies and the royal family. Her two previous divorces posed a significant obstacle, especially given the Anglican Church's doctrinal teachings, which conflicted with the reality that her former husbands were still living. The marriage to a woman who had been divorced twice would have been in clear opposition to the principles upheld by the Church of England, over which the monarch presides as the Supreme Governor, signifying a significant shift away from the traditional moral standards symbolized by the monarchy. Edward remained steadfast in his resolve, rejecting the possibility of a morganatic marriage in order to wed Wallis. He firmly believed that their bond transcended societal expectations, thus prioritizing his quest for personal satisfaction over his obligations to the monarchy. Edward's unwavering dedication to Wallis, coupled with his growing dissatisfaction with the responsibilities and constraints of his royal position, ultimately led to his choice to renounce the throne.

The British government's efforts to prevent Edward from marrying were further complicated by the opposition of the Church of England to the marriage.

The Church of England's fundamental beliefs were the foundation of its firm opposition to the amalgamation. At that time, ecclesiastical laws prohibited individuals from entering into a new marriage if their former spouses were still alive. The monarch's contemplation of nuptials with Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American, posed a substantial clash with the principles of the Church of England and led to a profound moral quandary within the monarchy, considering his position as the supreme ecclesiastical figure of the church. The Church's steadfast stance placed considerable strain on the government, forcing it to tackle a crisis that threatened to fundamentally destabilize the monarchy.

The government of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin highlighted the likelihood of a constitutional crisis and negative effects on the public should the king decide to marry a woman who had been divorced twice. The authorities emphasized the importance of upholding time-honored principles and the ethical standards expected from a monarch, along with the potential damage to the prestige of the royal establishment. Lownie suggests that the escalating discomfort concerning Wallis, perceived as a forceful American who did not possess the necessary qualities expected in a partner of a monarch, intensified these concerns as circumstances deteriorated. Edward remained steadfast in his resolve to marry Wallis, despite the government's exploration of alternative arrangements where Wallis would not be queen, ultimately leading to his resolute choice to abdicate the throne.

After Parliament passed the Abdication Act, the Duke of Windsor made his final address to the nation.

Parliament's legislative actions cemented Edward's abdication, paving the way for his brother Albert to be crowned King George VI. The law, passed swiftly because of its critical nature, reflected the common conviction that Edward's determination to marry Wallis Simpson was incompatible with his obligations as a monarch. Andrew Lownie suggests that the rapid enforcement of legal constraints was indicative of the deep-seated disillusionment and bitterness within the political sphere and the general public, which arose due to the former monarch prioritizing his personal desires over his duties to the country. The British monarchy faced a crisis of constitutional proportions that was unmatched in modern times.

The man once known as...

Traitor King Summary The Duke and Duchess of Windsor's turbulent relationship and their pursuit of a renewed purpose.

The Duchess experienced difficulty adapting to her responsibilities linked with her role alongside the Duke.

Wallis initially struggled with feelings of accountability regarding the Duke's choice to relinquish the throne and harbored concerns about the enduring nature of her marriage to him.

Lownie highlights the complex emotions experienced by Wallis, focusing on her initial sense of obligation and discomfort when she came to understand the magnitude of what he had given up for their union. Wallis valued the recognition and status that came with her connection to the Prince of Wales, but she was acutely aware that this relationship led to a major constitutional crisis, culminating in his abdication of considerable power and privileges for the sake of their marriage. Lownie utilizes Wallis's personal letters and conversations to depict her worries about fulfilling the responsibilities that came with their relationship and her unease regarding the role of being the Duke's devoted consort.

Lownie suggests that Wallis was unable to foresee the complex obstacles associated with her union with the Duke during their life abroad. She had once been daunted by the constant...

Traitor King Summary The Duke's political involvement and behavior have drawn scrutiny due to apprehensions regarding his partiality in favor of Germany.

Suspicions Regarding Wallis

The British officials kept a vigilant eye on Wallis due to her previous connections with people who had shown support for Germany prior to the Abdication.

Lownie offers persuasive evidence that, prior to the abdication, Wallis sustained relationships with individuals who harbored sympathies toward Germany, thereby raising serious doubts about her suitability to be queen. He employs an array of documents including spy reports, diaries, and formal correspondence to reveal Wallis's ties with figures like Lady Emerald Cunard and Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe, who were infamous for endorsing the Nazi creed and their immediate links with key figures of the Nazi party, such as Joachim von Ribbentrop, the German envoy to the UK in the 1930s. Lownie suggests that Wallis's forthright nature, her roots in America, and her network of acquaintances caused her to be viewed by British officials with a mix of doubt and disdain.

British Intelligence kept a vigilant watch over Wallis due to growing concerns about the extent of her sway over the King. Lownie highlights the thorough surveillance by the UK's security and intelligence agencies, which...

Traitor King Summary The final stages of the Windsor lineage were marked by a gradual withdrawal from public engagements and a changing relationship with Britain's royal establishment.

After the hostilities, the family known as the Windsors resided overseas.

After their return to France, the Windsors found it challenging to establish a new purpose for themselves.

Following the conclusion of World War II, the Windsors, whose reputation had suffered due to revelations of their disloyal behavior during the war, returned to France to embark on a different course. They faced permanent banishment by design. Despite their polished demeanor and engagement in elite social events, they experienced growing isolation from the UK's upper circles and were persistently monitored by officials from both the UK and the US. Lownie suggests that their behavior throughout the conflict, coupled with their seeming disregard for the aftermath and their continuous self-centeredness in a community striving to heal from the war's devastating effects, made them figures of both fascination and disdain.

Lownie suggests that a deep emptiness was concealed beneath the lavish existence of the Windsors, marked by extravagant gatherings, extensive journeys, and an emphasis on material possessions. Their lack of engagement in new roles or public duties, following the abandonment of...