Full interview is here: goo.gl/GAhvyu Kenneth Harris interviews HRH Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII, and his spouse Wallis, Duchess of Windsor. Filmed in October 1969. First broadcast as a radio interview on 27 March 1970.
Kenneth Harris was my father, he died in 2005. I think he would be astounded at the amount of views his interview has generated so long after it was broadcast. God knows what he would have made of the television interviewers/presenters of today. A different breed altogether.
@@deanaupchurch1593 He was a known Nazi sympathiser, but recently it has been revealed that he and Wallis were in constant contact with Nazi officials, including General von Ribbentrop, even after the commencement of the Battle of Britain. Wallis kept a signed picture of Ribbentrop on her dresser. Even before his abdication, it was known that he was pro-Nazi. His own father put him and Wallis under surveillance. In 1937, he did a tour of Germany and visited a concentration camp, so he can’t be excused for not seeing the Nazis for the monsters they were. He was a famously stupid man who abdicated, then regretted his choice and conspired with the Nazis to win the war so they would reinstate him as a puppet king. The reason there isn’t an entire chapter devoted to this in every WWII history book is that, if it had been revealed at the time that he was committing treason, the punishment was execution and that would have put the monarchy in jeopardy, to have a brother/uncle of the monarch executed for treason.
Both vile self serving Nazi supporter's Wallis Simpson was a slut who made herself at home in the bed of various Nazis including Von Ribbentrop at the same time Edward was putting his middle finger up to our country and people!! She also passed on British secrets to the Nazis.
It's a shock to hear such beautiful English being spoken. One forgets how articulate people used to be - no mumbling or slang; so clear and marvellous to listen to.
Sar Rhodes I love listening to the way old English was spoken. I wish it’s taught in school. Americans use too much slangs and short cuts. It’s a shame.
Just yesterday we were virtually driven from a cafe because of the next table....if the young woman said like once, she said it fifty times!!! Most annoying.
Perfect example of why “following your heart” is not always best for people. These two had a glamorous life on the surface but seemed to be very empty and aimless in life after the abdication.
A lot of people are reading too much into Edward not being "happy." That generation didn't show emotions the same way we do. They made their life choices and got on with it.
@@timothyrday1390 of when the next door neighbour commits a murder - oh but they were such quiet people. I didn't know murderers were supposed to be noisy.
What a brilliant interview. Dignified, intelligent people - the interviewer as well. Still, there’s sadness there. Totally fascinating, fifty years after his death.
Intelligent? I dont know but arrogant and cruel for sure. He was willing to sell the country to Hitler. The things he and his wife said in letters and other exchanges, include some really dumb things too.
He was a traitor to his country! He knew hitlers plans before the holocaust and wanted a German Britain! Meaning he was willing to allow his family and citizens die at the hand of Hitler! Nothing dignified!
@@karendalsadik7119 The whole family has very prominent sad eyes. It’s rumoured that my 3x great grandmother was an illegitimate daughter of Edward VII, and we all have the eyes that seemed to pass down. That and many lookalikes of Edward VII, George V and others in the family including myself.
Karendal Sadik Agree. More then just physical trait there’s a far deeper sadness. Not surprising given the truth about that institution, British aristocracy and royal families in the world going back centuries. Same deep sadness in Diana’s eyes.
@@seanohara3631 like n. Romanov , king george, and wilhem ,all grandsons of queen Victoria. Those press great war photos of all three together they look like triplets. Strong genes. Also makes WWI even more of a disaster, these guys were family, only 10 years after Victorias death they started the war and she arranged all those marriages to maintain peace and imperial power by them all being family, her children. But ,well...they clearly still felt they could treat real soldiers like toys and many countries ended up abolishing the Emperors as the result
I N That’s a very intriguing question. He definitely looked miserable and uncomfortable and sadly, more than anything, totally resigned to such emotions.
How must one feel being pushed into abdication and being exiled, ostracized, ridiculized and called a traitor? The official narrative is hardly to believe.
There are suggestions that in later life he confided to one or two close friends that he regretted the abdication. He enjoyed the trappings and privilege of the Royal lifestyle, but didn't much care for the duties and responsibilities that went with it.
I’ve only ever seen the Wallis and Edward portion of this interview. It’s fascinating to hear the man speak on various topics. He’s more interesting than I ever believed before.
@@vanessalouise8988 I’d say that perhaps their concerns were justified. There was no protection given to the couple. Especially Meghan. The tabloid press was weaponized against them. They are still at it and as Tom Bower openly remarked “it’s Meghan I’m after”. We call that saying the quiet part out loud. That family deserves whatever they’ve got coming. Their supporters on this side of the pond are right-wing, white supremacists. Personally I hope it helps speed the end of a ridiculous anachronism in the 21st century.
@@evalon9129 Yes the Duke and Duchess of Windsor met Adolf Hitler their pictures of them shaking hands ✋ with him which at the time was traitorous unlike Meghan who got a HRH style title wallis never did she was just the Duchess of Windsor at least when she died she was allowed to be buried with her husband at the cemetery at Windsor.
Yes i complain its worse thsn TV wh i havent watched for decades, then all of a sudden you see a living, breathing, talking, film of someone you only know of by books. Awesome.
Veronica. Opino lo mismo. ¡Fantástico el Duque!, ¿Cómo habría sido como Rey si hubiera continuado, aún casado con el amor de su vida?. Carlos III lo logró por su carácter y el de su amante: ¡Nada, ni nadie, les iba a impedir lograr EL TRONO, unos Ambiciosos sin escrúpulos. Y, así enseña a William. Este Duque fue un hombre afortunado en su vivir y en el Amor.
I love how they answered such direct questions with such candor. Note they considered themselves lucky and no whining about how people didn't treat them well,
While their stories are a bit similar, the current prince is bullied like he abdicated, betrayed his country or went away with Hitler altogether 😂😂 Edward was offered a substantial maintenance for the rest of his life when he left . Harry was criticized and ridiculed. What’s there not be grateful for?
@@elenamastiukova2787 we must not forget that Edward was Prin ce of Wal es for 25 years and he saved a fortun e from the large in com e he had all those years from the Duchy of Corn wall... and Edward never pub licly b ad-m outhed the Royal Famil y.. . HARRY has
@@essessessesq Harry’s problem is not so much with his relatives but with the institution controlling his family. He’s not the first one to speak out against the restrictions and stuffiness, his mother did too. But the level of hatred towards Harry and Megan is just unprecedented. It’s like they’ve done something so unspeakable. People wishing them to break up, saying Megan isn’t biological mother of their kids, etc. They sure don’t deserve such hostility.
Why can’t Megan and Harry have the class of Edward and Mrs Simpson ! If anyone had much to say, is these people after all they took the brunt of it all as divorce is natural in today’s royal family and marriage to a common person and Megan is as common as they come!
@@annamariagorski1092 If you're talking about Edward - he was a Hitler supporter who turned on his country in exchange for re-taking the crown if Hitler occupied England. Hitler was bombing the hell out of England - his countrymen being murdered while he was giving this interview. He wasn't a man ahead of his time. He was a power hungry turncoat.
Honestly? Most elderly people are like that. Even the successful ones. Life beats you down and by that age you've lost so many people to death they always have an air of sadness.😥
He is the extremely talented "Derek Jacobi." Amongst a lifetime of work, he is most famous for his portrayal of "Claudius" in the PBS series "I Claudius."
Funny thing my great grandfather picked them up from the train station in my village in Austria and drove them to the castle in a carriage where they spend their honeymoon in 1937. He was always so proud of it.
Lukas Oitzl My grandfather was a chauffeur for him at one time, my mother inherited a photo of the Duke that grandad was given, she displayed it proudly in her hallway for years and years!😀 I think it might even have been signed...
@Peter Peter I'm not sure that his actual actions could be construed as treason though I have no doubt that had he remained king he would have ended up arrested and eventually executed for treason or else been declared incompetent and appointed a regent who would govern in his place. He admired Hitler too much. But I don't think he quite crossed the line into treason. His brother knew how he felt about Hitler and so he ordered him to the Bahamas. Here in this interview he speaks of his position in the Bahamas stoically but in reality he considered being governor of the Bahamas as a humiliation. He viewed it as Trump would have viewed being appointed assistant to the ambassador to Mexico. Basically such a position amounted to being banished. It is well known that Hitler wanted to re install him as king after he won the war but of course he never won the war. It is not known if they had an actual deal in place for this to happen though it would not shock me if he had. He never spoke of such.
Even The Duchess is very well spoken and dignified. I thought she had been portrayed as a Brash Out There American. She is certainly much more Duchess material than Me Again Markle.
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you!😊
@@shhhaua9426 He was a selfish man who placed his own interests above those of the nation. Duty meant nothing to him. And let's not forget that he and his "wife" were Nazi sympathizers. Thank God he wasn't King during the war.
L Jones there is only speculation he was a Nazi sympathiser. I would have thought that rumour would be dead by now. He was not at all selfish the govnt at the time deserted him and forced their view on him. History has shown that when he died the nation mourned him with great sympathy for how he was treated.
@@johnoakes4143 No, it's not mere speculation, it's historical fact. Edward VIII voiced support for Hitler and the Nazis when they came to power. He also overlooked their persecution of Jewish people saying, it was "“no business of ours to interfere in Germany’s internal affairs either regarding Jews or regarding anything else.” He was also a supporter of Oswald Mosley the leader of the British Union of Fascists. Edward and Wallis were Hitler's guests during their visit to Germany in 1937. I believe, as do many others, that it was an act of Divine intervention that this terrible man had such a short reign. He would have been a disastrous king The stress brought on by his selfishness led to the untimely death of his brother, King George VI -- who, unlike his older brother Edward, was a marvelous and heroic King.
To me in my opinion is that they didn't know what to do with themselves after he removed himself as King. They traveled, gave parties went to parties that were very lavished and did nothing if notable to serve those who did not live such a privileged life.
This was really interesting and it's nice to hear part of their story from them. He was very well spoken but I am noticing he has a slight stutter as well.
There may be something that runs in the family. I heard a recording of Prince Charles reading poetry (I can't remember now whose poetry, maybe Dylan Thomas?) and I was very impressed at how well he spoke. The Prince has an excellent voice for reading poetry.
@@nicole.stanhope I had too, you will outgrow it eventually. Yes, I noticed that he tends to stammer too. In the sense that he repeats some words. But King George VI had the horrible type I used to have as a child, when you tense up, block the diagram hence the breath flow, while desperately trying to speak.
Maybe because he found out the Walis lady did not really love him. Check out her biography on how she still loved the man she had to divorced because the ex king had said if he leave him he’ll kill himself, she felt scared an knew the scandal it would put her in. She was wicked. That’s why he looks miserable. It said be careful what you wish for.
Although he abdicated, he's the only present or former British monarch to ever be interviewed. It's good that he was still respectful and didn't mention anything to harm the reputation of his brother or the Queen.
@@nickyjones2709 they had much more than the allowance to live on. All assets that Edward did not disclose to his brother - and not completely legally obtained.
@@LisaG442 That's true, but there's probably nothing interesting about the private lives of his brother or niece (the current Queen). He was the one considered the "playboy" and "rebel" with an active social life. The young royals and politicians might have a lot of secret scandals, but the Queen and her father have been public figures for over a century. Their biggest scandal was probably being related to a former king who abdicated.
The Rolls Royce story really touched me. He had some serious depth. While, like so many humans, he made some tough choices, and had to live with the repercussions of those choices. Thank you for sharing.
Both seem regreted their decisions. Wallis never leave him coz he sacrifice everything for her. Edward, he had nothing left behind and theres no turning back so they stick together until the end. Very sad story indeed.
She actually cheated on him and after everything he left for her i felt so sorry for him,but he stuck it out and she did always go back to him and he suffered it... Poor man .
I think they look happy. What a great man atleast he did not spoilt the life of a woman (like Diana) he was man enough to abdicate. A lot of respect for him
traitor and nazi sympathizers why the made up names for the saxe coburg and gotha dynasty aka England's royal family, Edward VIII sent to Nassau Bahamas because the plot to replace him as England's NAzi king was foiled , most of the uk state had Nazi sympathizers right to the top .. , AND most of these people had gone underground .... founder of Englands state media the BBc was knighted by the royals later writing in his memoirs , how he admired ,how the Nazi s were cleansing... Europe in the 1930's. Reith also directly over saw Edward VIII abdication speech . He was much later given a life peerage of Lord .
@@onthemarketblog6444 let's not forget the suspicions surrounded his younger brother's death when the plane crashed... can't remember the name of the documentary but it covered this and the suggestion Wallis was a much needed excuse to force abdication since Edward was a Nazi sympathizer. Great points.
Wallis left him on his death bed as he lay dying-shopping, dining at fine restaurants. His nurse said he was like a lamb crying for its mother "Wallis, Wallis." His nurse said it was shockingly sad and pathetic.
He really was aware of the poverty, the 'damnable situation' , that the population lived in. It would be amazing if the RF now were as aware and felt they could be as proactive in that regard as Edward.
Would that be the same awareness he used to cozy up to Hitler? Since he promised them the throne, the crown, and everything else that goes with it, as soon as he would take out the royal family and fly a nazi flag over Buckingham Palace.
At 7:25 Edward himself answers your comment. It is also stunning that so many of the deprived areas he mentions are still (after how many years!) pretty much in the same situation😮: deprived, left behind, forgotten. Who and when will really care for those people?!
Oh of course he was so invested in life of poor and unfortunate people that he and her colluded with Hitler 🤯🙄 Jesus, the amount of brainwashed idiots buying into his and RF bs is astonishing
Have you heard of the Prince's Trust and its achievements over the decades? Edward was never that charitable. He talks a great deal about morality but this is a man who admired Hitler and was willing to let Britain fall in exchange for the crown he said to have given up for love. Also; the deprived places of those times are gentrified and very exclusive exclusive.
I love to hear people who are well spoken and are articulate. None of the slang people use today .people today don’t know past tenses when speaking . This was an eloquent delivery . 😊
Most people miss the point that King Edward Viii was sick of the establishment. He says this at the end of the interview. It wasn't just love, he detested everything his family represented and was.
‘Impeccable manners!’ Does that include betraying her own nation to help Hitler, advising to bomb London continuously, and spilling all the beans to the Nazi as well?
not a schred of truth. how do you manage to come out with this nonsense. he truly loved her beyond imagination. never looked back after he kick that throne like a garbage
Not at all...he was OBSESSED with her in an unhealthy way. She had regrets though, she never wanted to marry him, she basically had no choice after he abdicated.
TermiteVideo you have a point. I would have thought that for them presentation would be everything. They lived such a shallow existence, the facade was all they had.
Such a lovely documentary. You can see how attached he was still to the royal family, still loyal to the royal family, but he sometimes got things wrong while in exile. I heard in another documentary that he insisted on getting up out of his sick/deathbed to stand at the end of his bed to salute to his Queen, his niece Queen Elizabeth II, when she came to visit him as she knew he was ill. He stood to attention, saluted and paid the correct due respect to her as she entered the room. She insisted he should not have done this as it drained him. He passed away within days of her visit.
He was never loyal to the Royal family. He told Hitler he’ll try to get his brother to surrender to him (Hitler) and suggested Hitler keep bombing England, which included Buckingham Palace. He wanted his brother, the King dead.
Wow this interview actually made me really sad. Edward looks so ashamed and hurt in this interview. He just emanates abandonment. You can see the little boy in his eyes.
He was a Nazi sympathizer who attempted to plot with the Germans to overthrow the monarchy and rule as a puppet king under the third reich. Don’t feel sorry for him.
@@AlexxEnglishh, The Queen Mother was also a Nazi sympathiser, see that video where she is vigorously teaching Elizabeth The Nazi salute! Long after King George V changed their German name to Windsor. It is a little shocking that Elizabeth's father King George Vl approved of that.
Thank you for putting this video up. Very interesting interview. A cultured interviewer and an ex king who certainly gave a different impression to how I have been led to regard him. 9/23
@@lizbbb7326 Don't believe everything you find online.....those are unproved assertions made by his political enemies. One of his closest friends and advisors was CHURCHILL....would Sir Winston have been his pal if the Duke was a Not-zee?
Many of the siblings did. It was not an easy childhood. I think Wallis was the stronger personality but she is very protective of her husband. That is nice to see, especially when she was so maligned.
He stuttered on occasion. His brother George famously did so too. I think they were badly treated by King George and Queen Mary. The King bullied them. But in fairness that was the way things were done then. I don't think Mary was very affectionate with her children.
As someone who has a stammer, I believe Edward had one. Not as severe as his brother's, but you can tell he controls it well. He controls it in a similar way to me!
They had a very mean father who cause that stutter by making them nervous. However,they are intelligent and brave regardless of the stuttering. I love hearing his voice.
@@babs66 I am a leftie and 43 years old. I grew up with being forced to write right hand, didn't cause a stammer in me. I also gave up listening to the teacher and continued with left hand but it was common for left handed folks to be forced to write with right hand.
He's intelligent, charismatic and warm. He also seems to be honest and unafraid of his opinions. The interviewer is informed, discreet and polite. Strong resemblance to Prince Charles.
As you enter the winter of your life you tend to remember every little thing you did, right or wrong, you seek forgiveness, rationalization, realization, so many things as you age...the "what if's" and "if onlies" are immense, the tears, the laughter, the joy, the pain, the unspoken, the knowing its too late because others have gone on before you...your life doesn't flash before your eyes but it does do a s-l-o-w exposure as you try and make peace with all you've done and finally make peace with God.
@@devensessarego800 Some Nazi sympathies ? He plotted with Hitler to attack England and overthrow the Queen , he dined on the Berghof and was friends with Goebbels and Goring . He was a piece of jew hating nazi shit .
Leon Trotsky a lot of people don’t know how weird he really was. He was gravely abused by his father which left him emotionally stunted that’s why he was so weird and sensitive. He really did like sexual and emotional abuse. Wallace was a sadistic dominatrix and treated him really poorly as well as openly cheat on him and he just ate it up. He sympathized with the nazi’s and conspired to harm and overthrow his family just to grant Wallace and him the HRH title. In the end they were both spoiled brats who deserve no sympathy.
Isn't that meg? She didn't love him at all. Did you see the documentary of Wallace. How they found love letters of Wallace to ernest being married for 2 yrs I think of Edward. Well harry is trying so hard to be someone bigger than William so meg can stick around longer. Or else she is out!
He was the Princess Diana of his time; immensely popular with the people, photogenic too. Unheard of contact and concern for the poor and it was said his manners and graciousness were impeccable.
With respect, no truly he wasn't, he was a nazi sympathiser, a man child, a spoilt arrogant dimwit, I like them here but it's a facade, a glamorous pretence, we must never forget that, do watch the documentary about his time in the Bahamas, Diana loved the RF but she wasn't perfect either but who is?
Wallis always let him speak and she gave her own opinions. She didn't want him to abdicate the crown. He went looking for her because he loved her so much x Queen mother hated him for it
Niall Morris The books about him say England got blessed when he abdicated in favor of his good-hearted brother. Edward was totally self-absorbed and aides said he could have cared less about the English people. He wasn’t exactly the most masculine guy, she probably did boss him.
Jane Eyre You are quite right that England was blessed when Edward abdicated. A very weak and selfish man and he got his desserts when he married Wallis Simpson. She wore the pants and weak men are usually attracted to women who can boss them around. Possibly it makes the man feel more secure.
Fibbertigibbet The Queen Mother did dislike Wallis Simpson because she was the catalyst for her husband being thrust in to being king when he was ill prepared however, he did go on to make a good King. Have you seen the movie "The Kings Speech" Jeffrey Rush when he met the Queen asked her if the movie was true to form and she agreed. If you have not seen the movie I urge you to see it.
Thank you! What an interesting video. I recently finished reading "Dancing with the Devil" by Christopher Wilson. The book details the relationship between Jimmy Donahue (the son of a Woolworth heir) and the Windsors. The book was published in 2000. It is fascinating.
Yeah. Unlike the stammering King George VI. All he did was help our Country during the war effort. But hey it's good that someone can talk a good game.
...I’d rather hear “uhm” a hundred times than Nazi sympathizers speak eloquently about being “ahead of their time” and “freedom of thought...” just remember that these two people tried to sell out the UK to Nazi Germany just to get his crown back...
He doesn't look happy to me. I think he was for a time but not for long. He looked like he missed his royal life. With purpose than when he left his birthright.
@@ZenaidaRoxas-yk8ppI think you're right. His demeanor seems sad. Maybe because he's being nostalgic in this moment but, it reads as sad and regretful.
Extremely happy she said. Their face is absolutely sad, even to talk about happy life, and they hold hands to show how happy they are, like the other couple I know 🤣
Oh my… I don’t know why but I feel he was enticed by Wallis and I think after he abdicated and the honeymoon excitement died down and as he got older, memories of royal life came flooding back. … I think Wallis was self obsessed. … And this was filmed 50 years ago.
He looks and sounds like he was a lovely man.x This is such a little diamond of an interview, just a glimpse into how well spoken people were back then and just so articulate and their manners, I guess sadly, that time has past.
