Edward VIII candid letter reveals Royal Family divisions following abdication | Royal | News | Daily Express
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Edward VIII candid letter reveals Royal Family divisions following abdication
EDWARD VIII admitted he was warned of staying away from England by the Royal Family following his famous abdication in a candid letter up for auction.
17:53, Tue, Sep 3, 2013
Edward VIII abdicated from the throne to marry Wallis Simpson
The letter, written three years after he stepped down as King to marry Wallis Simpson in 1936, said he was advised not to visit while his brother Albert established himself as King.
The three-page correspondence was written to his close friend Lord Beaverbrook, who was then owner of the Daily Express and Sunday Express newspapers.
Edward, who was writing while living in France in 1939, said he adhered to the warning to prevent enraging his mother Queen Mary and sister-in-law Queen Elizabeth.
The 'highly confidential' letter said: "Of course you know as well as I do, that it is for no other reason than for fear lest the attitude my mother and sister in law seem likely to adopt towards my wife may provoke controversy in England and adverse criticism in America, that I have been advised to postpone our projected visit to England this Spring, until after the King's and Queen's official journey to Canada and the United States.
"In accordance with the policy of playing my brother's game, I have agreed to another postponement, but, believe me, for the last time."
The letter was written three years after Edward stepped down as King (PIC: BNPS)
I have not lived out of England for over two years by preference
The letter from Edward VIII
Edward's brother Albert, who took the name King George VI, struggled to adapt to the unwanted role and suffered a severe stammer.
Edward was writing in response to a Sunday Express article and claimed that his exile from England following his abdication was all but forced on him.
The letter said: "While the Duchess and I have received the greatest courtesy in all the countries, especially France, where we have resided since our marriage, I have not lived out of England for over two years by preference.
"I have remained away out of deference to my brother in order to leave the field clear for him to establish himself on the throne, which it is admitted he has succeeded in doing."
In the correspondence Edward also blasts the Royal Family's decision to strip his wife of the title Royal Highness as an 'insult'.
He also rejected claims from the paper that conditions had been set for his return to the UK.
He wrote: "I wish to say firstly, that while naturally the matter of witholding (sic) the title of Royal Highness from the Duchess is an insult which I as her husband and a member of the Royal Family have always resented far more than she has, we have too many other more important interests to worry over such a triviality.
"Secondly, whatever may be the behaviour of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth towards the Duchess, it would in no way affect any plans we might make for going to England."
The letter was written to the former owner of the Daily Express Lord Beaverbrook
The letter, which is being sold by an anonymous private collector in London, is expected to fetch £8,000 at auction.
Charlie Jacoby, an expert on the Royal Family, said: "This letter is a cracker.
"It was well known that Edward was advised to stay away from England following his abdication but to hear it from the man himself is fascinating.
"It is confirmation of the Royal muscle flexing that went on at a time when they needed to appear strong and in control."
Edward had abdicated from the throne after Prime Ministers of the UK and the Dominions opposed him marrying the American socialite.
At the time she had been divorced twice and politicians argued that citizens would not accept a woman with two ex-husbands as a Queen.
If Edward had married against the advice of his ministers it would have caused a constitutional crisis and caused the government to resign.
Unwilling to do that or give up the woman he loved, Edward decided to abdicate from the throne.
Richard Davie, of Nottingham-based International Autograph Auctions, added: "It was widely rumoured that Elizabeth never forgave her brother-in-law, and neither she nor Edward's mother were keen on Wallis Simpson.
"This confidential letter proves the rift between the Royal Family lasted well beyond the abdication."
The auction is taking place tomorrow on the International Autograph Auctions website.
The letter was written in response to a Sunday Express article
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