ROYAL FEUD: The Dark Side of the Love Story of the Century

by Michael Thornton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1985

There's something about British royalty that turns powerful chiefs of state into fatuous courtiers and impells otherwise sensible people to stand for hours in the rain just to see one of the royals whizzing by. This retelling of the abdication of Edward VIII to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson--with particular emphasis on the animosity of Queen Elizabeth (the current Queen Mother) to the woman who had wanted her job--will undoubtedly be eagerly perused by those on both sides of the Atlantic who enjoy hobnobbing, however vicariously, with royalty. It is well known that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were snubbed for years by their royal relatives. They were excluded from state affairs and even family weddings; and, although he was allowed to attend funerals of his relatives, she definitely was not. The Queen's antipathy to the Duchess appears to be firmly rooted in her almost antediluvian horror of divorce, especially divorce within royal circles. She also blamed the former Mrs. Simpson for precipitating the crisis that resulted in planting her shy, stuttering and terrified husband on the throne of England. After his death at age 56, the widowed Queen referred to the Duchess as ""the woman who killed my husband."" She evidently was instrumental in persuading her beloved Bertie not to confer royal status on Wallis, thus precipitating the great curtesy controversy that kept society in a dither for decades. Had she been Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Windsor, all ladies below royal rank would have had to curtesy when she appeared. Some did, some didn't, rather like an apple-bobbing contest at a Halloween party. As the years passed, the Duke and Duchess declined into insignificance. According to the author, Queen Elizabeth was determined that they would have no opportunity to upstage her husband and herself. The only real position Edward was ever granted from the land he once ruled was the governorship of the Bahamas. He and Wallis hated the place and he resigned after five years. Despite impassioned pleas to his brother and government officials for a position worthy of his abilities and status, he never worked again. He had embarassed the Royal Family and alienated the English by public statements to the effect that, had he been King, England would never have gone to war with Germany. Finally, when the Duke was a frail 72, and the Duchess a year younger, they were both invited to appear at the unveiling of a plaque honoring the centennial of the birth of Queen Mary. Queen Mother Elizabeth appeared unruffled when the Duchess made no curtesy. Her daughter, Elizabeth II, seemed grim at the little bob granted her. But the breach had been healed, and thereafter the Windsors were welcome at family gatherings and some public affairs. Today, the widowed 89-year-old Duchess lies in a near coma in her Paris residence. Her nemesis, the adored ""Queen Mum,"" continues to appear before cheering crowds, her energy and good humor remarkable for a lady of 85 years.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION