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Letter from ex-King Edward shows striking parallels to argument with Harry
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It is no secret that Edward VIII’s relationship with the Royal Family suffered as a result of his marriage to actress Wallis Simpson. However, a letter that has now emerged makes it clear how deep the gap between him and the royal family really was.
84 years ago, Edward VIII (1894-1972) wrote a private and confidential letter that has fascinating parallels to the current dispute between Prince Harry, 39, and Duchess Meghan, 42, with the British royal family. The document is now being auctioned by a private collector for an estimated 5,000 pounds (around 5,800 euros) and reveals astonishing details.
Lines from Edward VIII are reminiscent of Prince Harry
In it, Edward is upset about the “attitude and behavior” of his mother, Queen Mary (1867-1953), and his sister-in-law, Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002), towards his wife Wallis Simpson (1896-1986). The story seems somehow familiar. That’s right, Prince Harry also publicly vented his anger about his relatives’ behavior towards his wife.
Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII
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“There are certainly parallels between the relationships of Edward and Wallis and Harry and Meghan,” notes Richard Davie of International Autograph Auctions, according to the Daily Mail. “And the consequences that Edward and Harry’s love for their American wives had on their relationships with their siblings and other family members is certainly a fascinating example of history repeating itself within the House of Windsor.”
Ex-King Edward vented his anger at the family
In his typewritten letter to his friend Lord Beaverbrook, Edward responded to a gossip article about him and Wallis that had appeared in the Sunday Express newspaper at the time. “For no other reason than the fear that the attitude which my mother and sister-in-law seem to adopt towards my wife might cause a controversy in England and negative criticism of them in America, I have been advised to postpone our planned meeting this spring Visit to England until after the King and Queen’s official trip to Canada and the United States,” are just some of the piquant lines written by Edward. The contents of the sensitive letter should “never be traced back to me,” but as a “convinced” supporter, he wanted his friend to “know the truth,” the royal continued.
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Edward sparked a crisis within the British monarchy when he abdicated the throne in 1936 so he could marry the American actress. The relationship with his family suffered greatly as a result of his decision.
Source used: dailymail.co.uk