harry and megan

Regarding D of W I watched a very interesting programme about him and the Duchess a while back which gave me a different view point. Apparently she was content to continue as his mistress rather than as his wife. He came over as very very needy however, and she reluctantly agreed to marry him. Idk how happy they were together but both were isolated from all they previously knew.

The D of Windsor was also concerned with the state of working class people and for some the National Socialists offered a solution to the failing German economy which he thought should be applied here. I had a friend whose mother was a Nazi supporter in Germany in 1939. She believed Hitler was the only solution to the economic disaster she feared they would fall into. She'd lived through one at the end of WW1.
It was a terrible regime but the reasons for its success need to be remembered. Especially now.

Callistemon Now that I do know. Appeasement was definitely the policy of the UK in the early/middle thirties.

fannycornforth have you read anything about the British Secret Service building a file on Wallis Simpson?
As I recall she was meeting up with Ribbentrop, either on the sly or with Edward's knowledge. Who knows.
He had already allowed her to read gov papers with secret info.

The consensus the last I read was he was too dense to be a spy, but could have been coerced into being a puppet king should the Nazi win the war.

Read all about M&H repeatedly in DM so this is nothing new. Not really interested any more. Just wish they would get along quietly with their new life in US but can’t see they will, as in their business they need publicity or they have no business.

Chestnut

maddyone just as cosying up to Hitler during the last war suggests an unpleasant individual.
I might be wrong, but I don't think the Duke of Windsor 'cosied up' to Hitler during the war did he? A lot of people thought he was a very dynamic, charismatic leader before the war and may have associated with him. It was only later they all saw his true colours.

I don't think cosying up is the right term, maddyone - maintaining cordial relations with Hitler might have been thought to be a good idea and the Windsors thought they were helping. The Prime Minister, Chamberlain, went over, too, in an attempt to appease Hitler.
Appeasement was the British policy in the 1930s.
Generally, I think many wanted to avoid war at all costs.

I didn’t mean him to come over as awful. MIL didn’t tell it like that. She thought it was funny and disgusting at the same time. Like most children would?

(Mostly because it was all so proper except for him)

I don’t know whether The DofW was wonderful or otherwise, but he doesn’t come across as a very savoury person, particularly after reading Peasblossom’s post. Thank you for a bit more information about him suzie.

No namsnanny It was in the thirties at an English country house.

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BTW , I’ve read that resulting in bringing in Hitler into the conversation is a sign you know you’ve lost the credibility of your position.

Haha Namsnanny that’s me done for then

maddyone

Well ladies, I did say I didn’t know much about The Duke of Windsor didn’t I? But I have definitely seen pictures of The DofW with Hitler, and so maybe not cosying up, but definitely approval.

BTW, I've read that resulting in bringing Hitler into the conversation is a sign you know you've lost the credibility of your position!

nams my bringing. Hitler into the conversation was a response to the moral bankruptcy of comparing Harry unfavourably with the D of W who chose against advice to visit Germany and spend private time with Hitler - the notes of the meeting were ( so sadly ?) lost. If a poster brings in the wonderful D of W I’ll bring in Hitler - it’s your argument that’s not credible

Peasblossom that’s an amazing story. Very illuminating on his character.

Peasblossom

The Duke of Windsor spent most of the War as Governor of the Bahamas. Before that he had close links to the Nazis and his abdication was described by them as “a great loss”.

My ex-mother-in-law was a child when the Duke of Windsor (then the Prince of Wales) visited her home for a house party. The red carpet was rolled out for his arrival, down the steps and onto the drive. All the servants were lined up and the family to greet him.

The car drew up and he tumbled out, so drunk that two aides had to carry him upright. As he advanced he vomited all along the red carpet and up the steps, with the servants curtsying and bowing as he passed and reached the family. At which point he patted her on the head and passed out.

It was memory that never left her ?

Did this happen in the Bahamas Peasblossom?

The Duke of Windsor was probably a weak character, and maybe easily led which is why he fell for Hitler's charms, as did many people. I'm just not sure he was still a follower when it transpired exactly what Hitler was up to later in the war. No-one realised quite how horrific Hitler's dreams were at the start of the war.

Oooh Fanny that’s interesting. I wouldn’t have thought The DofW was a spy myself, but hey, what do I know.

Peasblossom what a brilliant story!
Thank you!

Precisely maddyone I echo your last paragraph

I find it incomprehensible that any supporters of theirs arnt ashamed of the callous entitled behaviour they have shown.

BTW, I've read that resulting in bringing Hitler into the conversation is a sign you know you've lost the credibility of your position!

The Duke of Windsor spent most of the War as Governor of the Bahamas. Before that he had close links to the Nazis and his abdication was described by them as “a great loss”.

My ex-mother-in-law was a child when the Duke of Windsor (then the Prince of Wales) visited her home for a house party. The red carpet was rolled out for his arrival, down the steps and onto the drive. All the servants were lined up and the family to greet him.

The car drew up and he tumbled out, so drunk that two aides had to carry him upright. As he advanced he vomited all along the red carpet and up the steps, with the servants curtsying and bowing as he passed and reached the family. At which point he patted her on the head and passed out.

It was memory that never left her ?

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Unfortunately Maddy, I'm not particularly good at remembering things at the moment, so I'm not exactly a good source or good at being put on the spot iyswim.

I do know that there has recently been a book published that claims that the Duke of Windsor was actually a Nazi spy; it's been very well received, so you could be barking up the right tree after all.

Chestnut

maddyone just as cosying up to Hitler during the last war suggests an unpleasant individual.
I might be wrong, but I don't think the Duke of Windsor 'cosied up' to Hitler during the war did he? A lot of people thought he was a very dynamic, charismatic leader before the war and may have associated with him. It was only later they all saw his true colours.

I’m assuming you mean Hitler was charismatic Chestnut. He probably was just that, unless you happened to be Jewish, gay, or in some way disabled. Then he was someone to fear. I know the Jewish community were very frightened when he became Chancellor.

FannyCornforth

Chestnut I believe that you are correct.
I've been reading a lot about that period, particularly about Wallis Simpson and also the Mitfords.

Oh yes please Fanny can you enlighten us what went on?

Maybe Fanny you can tell us more as you’ve been reading about it. I know I don’t know much.

Well ladies, I did say I didn’t know much about The Duke of Windsor didn’t I? But I have definitely seen pictures of The DofW with Hitler, and so maybe not cosying up, but definitely approval.