In December 1936, the United Kingdom was rocked by the abdication of King Edward VIII. Shortly thereafter, he married a twice divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson. For decades, the former King was viewed as a weak-willed man, dominated by a self-centered gold digger who thought she could marry the King and become Queen of England. The story is much more complex, and Anna Pasternak takes a much different view of the entire episode; fortunately, she provides excellent support to her contention that Wallis Simpson was battled to keep the King, who was weak willed, on the throne.
The reality of the relationship centers on the King’s shallowness and inability to live up to his duties. He was, in his day, a male version of Princess Diana; immature, self-centered and the victim of a personality cult that reinforced all his weak points. To the mature politician around him (with the exception of Churchill), the King was dangerous as his irresponsibility and actual lack of power could be a powerful political force that could not be controlled in an extremely dangerous time. In fact, when he was gone, more than one politician thought that Wallis Simpson had done the Empire a great favor by “luring” Edward away from his duties.
There is no doubt that Wallis Simpson found the King charming and he her. As an American, she offered many traits that most upper-class women in the U.K. could not provide, wit, a sense of fashion, a very free representation of the American spirit. Yet, while he fell madly in love with her and would swoon when they were not together, she realized that if his dreams were to be realized, that she would be painted as the wonton woman who “stole” Edward. In fact, prior to the abdication, she repeatedly wrote to Edward pleading with him not to abdicate, urging him to fulfill his duty. Once the deed was done, she realized that she would have to stay with him, and she became the wife he always needed.
Destroying myths can be difficult, but Anna Pasternak supports her presentation with excepts from letters and diaries, plus interviews with many of those around the famous couple. Unfortunately, for her sacrifice and fidelity, Wallis Simpson died alone and used by her attorney who cut her off from her friends that those who appreciated her for who she was. It is in the end, a sad tale.
