Anna Pasternak - The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson

[@jamiedominy4552]

As much as I enjoyed Pasternak’s book, it’s disturbing to hear “she was born with male and female genitalia” stated as fact. Rather than a personal opinion. There is absolutely zero evidence of that. None of her family, friends or doctors have suggested that - much less verified it. None of the nurses who cared for her the years she was bedridden. Neither of her ex-husbands. Not even her enemies, who made up the most appalling stories about her, made this claim. There’s just no evidence for it whatsoever.

[@aprilsky8474]

I agree, apart from her own opinion what proof is there?

[@lawbreaker198]

I thought her first husband beat her up so bad she had a miscarriage and had to have surgery that prevented her from getting pregnant

[@AngelaDibble-qc2ot]

What odds or business of anybody else is it if she was, but it's terrible that this has been said.

[@debrajarnagin7101]

So you think meeting with Hitler was so innocent? Bull

[@annstillwell730]

She loved her former husband but things had gone too far and too public to turn back. They found her letters to her ex stating this. She call Edward Peter pan. She wanted the power and influence. Edward didn't want to be king and Wallace was his escape key.

[@gordonski9310]

Strange she married Ernest Simpson knowing full well his true background of coming from a traditional German Jewish shipping family called SALOMON that she, despite her continued affection for him, became (or was ?) vehemently anti Jewish & anti British establishment. In fact Ernest, while successful for his own reason to ingratiate himself into the British Army (Guards) hid his background for all his adult life in UK. He was well known & respected in society and became a British citizen and remained a most loyal British subject. Strangely, upon his death his two sons became aware of their true background. One emigrated to Israel, served in a commando unit as an Officer and clearly proud of his true roots. One can easily imagine if his Jewish background has been published there was absolutely no prospect of the future King being attracted to her. After all he was quite openly antisemitic throughout his life. So history because of Jewish Ernest would have certainly have changed the course of British and maybe world history. Regarding Ernest's fawning to the future King this was due to his desire to be accepted into British society and , as one might guess, due to his concealed background

[@andyroo9381]

It is about time someone wrote a book about the Duchess of Windsor which didn't repeat the same old rubbish. It is refreshing, indeed.

[@soniaduplessis7817]

I agree that she didn't want Edward/David to abdicate. But you have to be extremely naive to believe that she had been married twice and still remained a virgin! I believe she was quite promiscuous and that she wanted to be the king's mistress amd have all the perks that come with it, but she did not love him, at least not enough to marry him. Her choice to carry on with the king, led to a situation where, after his abdication, she had little choice but to marry him.

[@soniaduplessis7817]

A sad ending for both of them, though they should have known. Yet I feel sorry for them

[@kristn6513]

She just said she was born with both sexes. That would be very embarrassing to show it all over town.

[@marmadukescarlet7791]

@@soniaduplessis7817 I’ve read several books about them and didn’t find either particularly likeable but still, I found their story so tragic. She was trapped in a loveless marriage and he abdicated without understanding that he was leaving his family and his country forever.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

Agreed. Good point, yet Pasternak maintains that Wallis never did anything wrong.

[@michelegraham9044]

@@marmadukescarlet7791 sounds very current doesn’t it.

[@rblnz73]

Wallis did England such a good favour in taking that drip of a man away from England.

[@eclosion6940]

Undoubtedly.

[@rblnz73]

I don't think Prince Charles would sell out Britain to a dictator like a former king did in 1937....in the vain hope he would be reinstalled in the event of war. Charles is superior in every aspect compared to loser David the Duke

[@Journeyonn6912]

@@rblnz73 Are you blind. There’s nothing left in Britain to sell. The Monarchy is almost dead.

[@trixyminx]

@@Journeyonn6912 how do you even know this? Read a couple of American articles?

[@Journeyonn6912]

@@trixyminx The Monarchy doesn’t rule anymore. It represents its own sorority, giving out titles to flavored people. It has become useless

[@ginnyhogan6386]

She got herself into a mess and couldn’t get out of it. She was trapped with a man she didn’t love!

[@eclosion6940]

Exactly, she just wanted to be the lover, not the wife.

[@daliamcmahon5884]

In the old days,, this happened alot. People were forced into marriage.

[@moonsun3808]

He loved her so much but his feelings towards her were never reciprocated!!!

[@moonsun3808]

@@eclosion6940 She was a married woman and cheated her husband. I don’t believe that she’s trapped. She’s a grown woman she could easily go away.

[@nicolas2970]

I have to disagree, her first Husband was a drunk and physically abused her . She went against the advice of her family to leave and divorce him . If she didn't want to be in the situation I believe she would have left Edward/David.

[@Ed-uz6em]

Where’s the proof of this intersex claim?

[@johndean3930]

Far too pro Wallis here. No balance in view. I am positively shocked that this author would state King George Vl just simply died of Cancer of the Lung, without attributing the stress that Duke Of Windsor put him under. I would have over smoked too. Ofcourse his life was cut short through the strain whom the Duke Of Windsor placed him in. The Queen Mother was quite right to blame The Duke. I do not believe for a minute that the dedicated Queen Mother asked Wallis to ride in her carriage at The Trooping Of The Colour, this is absolutely ridiculous and is unforgivable of this author. Credibility on that score alone, is a joke. John (Australia)

[@johndean3930]

@@sarapara174 I am sorry , but you have no idea obviously. The Queen Mother declined to marry her husband 3 times, as she , in her own right, was Lady Elizabeth and was known for her happiness and kindneeses and fun. She did not relish taking on such a role where your every move is monitored and your whole year, after year, after year, is set out by Protcoles , demanding your attendance to attend all manner of Dinners, give speeches, meet dignataries and be subjected to Puiblic scrutiny . Our Queens father , had a stammer and a nervous disposition, even bullied at school. Many upper class snobs and Governments in the Commonwealth did not want him on the throne and even 'tagged'him as a 'half wit'. Can you honestly imagine what it would be like to have your life decided and arranged, planned for you, as to what you would be appopinted and expected to carry out. Some peolple say 'fun for a day', but a whole life time. And then see your beloved daughter have the strain to take on as well. Our Queen is known to have wanted to live 'her life as a Çountry Woman'. However, she believes that the Monarchy does give stability to its peolple and does have influence on 'layabout' politicians , who can be questioned by her. Think about it.

[@mattier.9095]

She said that was her intention. .. and your surprised? What a dumb comment.

[@ericspence805]

So sad that Wallis was reviled as wicked, and was the most hated woman in the world. In reality, she just got into a situation she couldn't get out of, and then after that, always just wanted to make it right and do the decent thing. Edward VIII was beloved as Prince of Wales &, indeed, while he was king.....but he was woefully inadequate, and he did, indeed, need someone like Wallis by his side to help him. Ms. Pasternak's work is so needed in rehabilitating the Duchess of Windsor.

[@LeeAsh7]

I love the way Anna tells us this thoroughly researched unknown information. She is not only a wonderful writer but also a very gifted speaker. I could listen to her all day.

[@juanswart3125]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. She is the quintessence of what a well-informed author and narrator should be!

[@azilmiguel5895]

Thank you so much anna!

[@annmolloy8600]

She didn’t say no to all the jewels. So you are saying that all the men she went with were fascinated by her organs. She wasn’t completely blameless. From a moral standpoint she had no qualms about sleeping with a man other than her husband. Although mistresses were nothing new, illegally arranging a divorce and marrying one was not acceptable in those times. I simply cannot believe she did not have sex with her two other husbands. Ernest Simpson was married when she came into hi life, I can’t imagine him leaving his wife for a platonic relationship. She also was not happy when her best friend married Ernest Simpson, even though she had already left him for the king. I think your whitewash brush is a little too large. By the way, it is heart rending, not heart rendering!

[@wannaduckfin]

Totally agree. This whitewash of the generally accepted view sells books

[@rose5566]

I agree

[@eclosion6940]

Exactly, you got the picture.

[@achord9204]

Proof her friend was Diana mosley a nazi till the end.

[@mariaclairechelaidite8299]

All rubbish...Wallis did not love the Duke

[@forbesanti-oda5103]

It is Britain’s great good fortune that they were saved from a couple of Nazi lovers. How anyone could think Wallis’ little slave could have been a better monarch is a jaw-dropping misjudgment.

[@kalligirl4374]

Agree 100%.

[@cynthiaehrenkrantz8156]

Two Nazi lovers who would have collaborated with Hitler given the chance. Quoting Diana Moseley, a known Fascist who was married to Oswald Moseley head of the British Faschist Party who praised Wallis and was her friend should tell you what kind of a woman she was. As for Edward, Thank God he abdicated. Hitler promised he would put him back on the throne when he won the war. My family and I would have all been murdered if that had happened.

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Yet you look at the current King who is in lockstep with Klaus Schwab & IGNORE THAT??😂

[@kepgardensassociation]

Handsome? I always thought he was very weak looking, a weak chin.

[@afreeman63]

They knew he was inadequate! His father knew it.

[@eclosion6940]

Yes, he was not meant to be a King, he was unfitted for the role.

[@zzzbbbooo]

If he was just inadequate, that could have been worked on and he could have been surrounded by sound advisers etc. The real problem was that he had no reverence for the monarchy and its history and traditions and no real desire to serve.

[@eclosion6940]

@@zzzbbbooo Like whom ... ? Meghan?

[@Teaally1913]

Neither is Charles adequate… but there you go.

[@24Wynn]

@@Teaally1913 At least King Charles took interest in his royal duties. He was never wanting to abdicate. And I'm not a fan of him, either.

[@lystein1070]

You mention that wallis was vilified through no fault of her own?! How about being married and having an affair to advance her social status? She may gave not been a devil, but she sure was no saint

[@jeanwinders9556]

She betrayed her best friend inorder to advance her party status. She could have left Edward way before the abdication. His inability to realize that he could not go back and she receive HRH status was truly conceit on his part. Her 2nd husband was quite happy with his new wife. No tears for Wallis from me she only got the jewel which originally wanted which was cracked from the start.

[@gilgabe]

@@jeanwinders9556 The more you people in England can't separate "SOCIAL STATUS" from reality the more you will have more and more members of the royal family literally walking away from what many of you've conceived to be THE MOST MARVELOUS LIFE OF BEING ROYALS not mortals.

[@jeanwinders9556]

@@gilgabe You do realize there's more to the U.K. than England, I am not English. My comment was about Wallis Simpsons desire to advance her social standing which lead her into a 2nd divorce and a marriage which ended up being a gilded cage. History seems to be repeating itself where an American hell bent on rising their social status ends up in a hasty, messy exit. No one seemed confused about the realities of royal life and comment about other royals walking away is ridiculous at best...Your assumptions make you look naive, and quite possibly have an ax to grind.

[@eclosion6940]

Well said.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

How does anyone know that either Wallis or Camilla had affairs in order to increase their social position? How does anyone know that they did not have the affairs because they had fallen in love? Surely, only they know what was in their hearts?

[@sandie157]

This was s brilliant interview. I'm so glad to hear that the news narrative wasn't true

[@debrajarnagin7101]

I do not think she ever loved him nor did she make him happy. I have read too many times how mean she was to him

[@afritimm]

Very minor incidents. Any couple together 24/7 for 35 years will have friction. She was more lively than he and also brighter. I think she found him dull and tiresome some times, but she stuck with him. He was also quite a clinger.

[@maureenball6733]

I think she DID make him happy. She ran his home and social life for him so he didn't suffer isolation. She more than earned her place at his side. I'm guessing anyone used to invitations from our remaining royals had to stay away from the Windsors or they'd be cut. Anna's book redresses the balance for Wallis. But overall I don't find them a likeable couple. Selfish and greedy still remains. Edward would have made an awful king by hating duty and only going after fun. Wallis saved our country from that.

[@amytrottier8836]

I never believed all the slanderous myths about Wallis, Duchess of.Windsor. The fact that she was androgyne insensitive, one of the many forms of intersexuality, made so much sense! I’d never heard that before. I always felt sorry for her, as Edward seemed to be a needy, obsessed Man-child. While Wallis was a well bred, well educated, Southern Lady. True, she and her husband Earnest initially looked upon her relationship with Edward VIII as their ticket to the highest group of social elites in England. At first it was a lark, a way to acquire undreamed of treats. Unfortunately, Wallis stayed in the relationship too long, and by the time she realized this, the quick sand was already up to her waist. She never wanted to be Queen, why would she? She was a godsend to the old guard, and Baldwin’s government. She was a patsy, plain and simple. I always felt that my hunch about Mrs. Simpson was correct, and you provided the proof, thank you! I have read about how horrible and controlling the behavior of the Swiss lawyer was to Wallis after Edward’s death. I believe her evil rep is well deserved. However, I understood that the bulk of the Windsor estate went to the Pasteur Institute, as a result, they were able to make great progress identifying, and later treating, the AIDS Virus. I believe they were the first medical researchers to identify the HIV Virus. That is a fantastic legacy! As an American, I feel that the Pasteur Institute was much more deserving of the bequest than the Royal Family! What good would leaving millions to an already obscenely wealthy, privileged family have done? Besides, that family never acknowledged the Duchess of Windsor, why should she leave them anything? I look forward to reading the book in its entirety! Sincerely, Amy.

[@Tiesquel]

The millions she took advantage of were the Crown's to lead a pamperd life and that's why the British feel betrayed and don't like her, quite rightly so !!....sorry Ms Pasternak, but yours is more like an obsession, than the real truth !!

[@Tiesquel]

Wallis never got credit from the RF because they saw through the social climber she was, and how she led a lavish life with their money. How would they react otherwise ?....

[@kathyflorcruz552]

The AIDS virus?? You mean the one FOUCI proliferated? 😂😂😂

[@maggiemae7539]

Fairytales are lies!

[@judithdasta3969]

You gloss over all her immoral behavior, saying she was a prude. You have excused everything negative even their sympathies with the Nazis. Edward was anti-Jewish. Yet in your view, they were just a wonderful misunderstood couple.

[@clivemilner]

Thank you for your post. I did not realise, Edward was anti Jewish.

[@andyroo9381]

What is surprising about the Duke of Windsor being anti-Jewish? Most of the world was anti-Jewish at that time. Are you suggesting the rest of The Royal Family held their arms open towards the Jews? What "immoral behavior" are you speaking of? You're not suggesting the Shanghai lies that were spread about her, are you? Rubbish! Absolute rubbish!

[@dinacap2660]

they were both prejudiced against jews and blacks

[@smittsgirl2]

What about the letters that have recently discovered,and the letters say Wallis was in love with her husband,Ernest,is that true?

[@eclosion6940]

She really did not wanted to divorce Ernest, but there are letters writen to another man whom she considers the love of her life. And also letters written to Ernest, telling how much she misses him.

[@janetsmith8566]

I think she liked earnest a lot and missed the comfort and simplicity of their life together. Pity she couldn't have been satisfied with him and stopped there.

[@eclosion6940]

@@janetsmith8566 But ambition took her to where she never wanted to be.

[@eclosion6940]

@@janetsmith8566 She wanted to be right in the middle of the high society, and it burned her.

[@angelinavillegas-zimmerman4759]

@@eclosion6940 The royals that married with american women are all divorce, very greedy and ambitionist like Wallis and Meghan.They both are not normal, both want only the title and money.

[@wannaduckfin]

If she was not a fan of the Nazis ,why did the Nazi Foreign Minister Ribbentrop frequently send her flowers? Here she was reading the classified documents in the red box and ‘meeting’ with the foreign minister from Nazi Germany.

[@eclosion6940]

She was Ribbentrop lover, and at the same time of David, and still married to Mr. Simpson,

[@Orphen42O]

​@@eclosion6940 Ribbentrop was a social climber. He exaggerated his closeness to Edward VIII and his coterie. It is highly unlikely Ribbentrop had a romantic relationship with Wallis. Edward VIII was predisposed to the ideals of National Socialism.

[@eclosion6940]

@@Orphen42O Not only with Ribbentrop, but with about 3 more man.

[@louise-yo7kz]

@wannaduckfin, be mindful of lies and propaganda

[@cherylthomas1268]

What proof do you have to confirm your assertion that Wallis Simpson was intersex and her marriages were never consummated?

[@superash31]

No proof I’d say…just made up rubbish…and The Crown has never claimed to be historically accurate..to the point of getting it right as to where certain events actually took place ! (

[@kuhtone]

Ms. Pasternak, thank you so very much for such a heartfelt and sincere telling of an American woman that experienced such an amazing life.

[@Tiesquel]

Dignified????? Someone that manouvered together with her ex husband to climb the social ladder and take advantage of a lavish king when it came to presents ?....the problem was that she was caught in her own trick and ended up tangled in a boring relationship with a demanding man although she was in love with her previous husband !....Come on ! She was a narcissistic woman eager to manouvre everybody around.

[@taylorkiwis5332]

Spot on! A narcissist just like Meghan Markle. They could've been twins.

[@eclosion6940]

Wallis was not a white ángel as you want to portrait her , there are many other books that describe her in a different terms. She was a married woman when she met David, and nevertheless she went for him. Mr. Simpson allowed all of that. What is dignify about been married and go to bed with another man ? Oh what a dignify situation.

[@Orphen42O]

Almost all of David's affairs were conducted with married women.

[@eclosion6940]

@@Orphen42O Yes he was a pervert.

[@24Wynn]

From my understanding of the English aristocracy, it's quite common for both spouses to have lovers outside of their marriages.

[@patriciatan7549]

Married twice and is a virgin. Emmmmm........she waited for her knight in shining armour? Why start something when you are already married? Where is honesty? Where is commitment? What would you say to a similar couple in today's scenario? Love conquer all ? It's ok to hurt so many people because of love? Tough to swallow.

[@wannaduckfin]

I would have hated his all consuming obsession if I were her. Also, I have read that had the Nazis conquered England Edward would have been put back on the throne with Wallis as Queen. I don’t doubt that he would have enthusiastically mounted the throne after George was removed.

[@juliusmaloney]

Absolutely, the man was vainglorious & even if he took no active role in the Nazi’s plan to reinstall him to the throne he would have taken that opportunity with both hands. 👑

[@evawilhelm5113]

he did not want the throne apparently, although it was the Nazis' idea. Yes, he seemed obsessive. Theirs was a truly codependent relationship

[@AcidQueen08]

I'm sure he would have agreed to such a deal. He was very naive. The nazis would have shot him dead as soon as they took over.

[@24Wynn]

@@evawilhelm5113 From all my history studies regarding David and Wallis, I read that after David abdicated, he didn't understand that he would have to leave England because you can't have two Kings or two Queens in the country. (Akin to Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scotts). That's why when they met Hitler, they wanted for him to install them back on the throne. It would have completely destroyed the monarchy but David and Wallis, I think, hated living in exile. David seemed pretty immature and had second thoughts about abdicating. I think he had become disillusioned with his life outside of the Royal family.

[@elizabethfleming8818]

I can’t imagine being in a marriage with a man who said if you leave me, I’ll kill myself. And the part where he supposedly had to be there when she left the house and when she returned? He sounds like an unhinged ball and chain who was so needy that he sucked the air out of the room. This is not a great love story.

[@stephaniecorbett5356]

I’m so pleased that I stumbled across this truly enlightening video. I had been thinking for sometime, how different Wallis was io Meghan Markle. Wallis kept her counsel and didn’t say anything derogatory about the royal family, even though they were very hostile towards her. There can be no comparison between these two women. Wallis had style and class! This documentary by Anna is so very interesting… so much information that we didn’t know.. many thanks for sharing.

[@this-is-not-just-a-pr-fail3263]

So your idea of “good” is to allow people to beat you down until you don’t want to live anymore. I really hope you don’t have daughters you are dating, your entire perspective is distorted. I hope you are not a victim of abuse.

[@busolaolagunju3410]

Most of what is narrated flies in the face of contemporary accounts of Wallis treatment of Edward and her conduct before their meeting. I don't think this is account is accurate.

[@Tiesquel]

Wallis was much more shrewd than Meganuts and had more character, I think.

[@laurastortoni-hager1510]

@@busolaolagunju3410 I have read that Wallis mistreated her husband and was unfaithful to him.

[@johndean3930]

Oh Dear .......Wallis was known to slip around to the German Embassy , and boast out 'secrets'of State to Von Ribbentrop (German Official ) in London( who had been a 'Champagne Salesman prior his appointment to German Embassy) . Officials were horrified and 'Parliament Official Papers'were left lying around and even had 'Wine Glass Marks' on them, at Edward V111 's Country Home 'Fort Belvedere'. You need to know that The Queens Father and Her Mother were extremely wealthy in their own Right, and were reluctant figures. John (Australia)

[@hazelnutspersonalizedgift]

Your story of Walis made me so sad for her. So glad you put flower for her grave❤️ everybody deserves respect regardless. I do believed that there's good on everyone ❤️

[@calistafalcontail]

This woman is highly biased in her favor for Wallis. Wallis was shallow, had no morals and only cared about luxury and status. Her famous quote "You can never be to rich or to thin..." is really a reflection of this rotten hedonist.

[@galveston]

If Edward was so thick that he took his wife to visit a dictator in the making so that people could suck up to her then he was far too stupid to be king. She wasn’t too bright for going either. Those pictures of them shaking hitlers hand has long affected my opinions of them both in a negative manner.

[@myraaross9770]

Excellent! Truth! Continue to be an honorable and honest journalist…a rare commodity in this day of depravity, lies and evil!

[@dafinker3443]

Pasternak is talking rubbish !!!!!!!! And did Simpsons former husbands/ lovers ever speak about their strange SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH THAT WOMAN IF THATS THE WRITERS VIEW OF prim and proper she should read the accounts of the two timing man/woman we have .... WE ARE SO AMUSED

[@juliarman]

19:39 Mrs. Pasternak will start gulping saliva and blinking wildly while trying to downplay the "pleasure trip" to Nazi Germany (which nobody advised, and was 1937, not 1938). What about the visit to concentration camps with his equerry? where they actually saw the prisoners?

[@MMMTheOriginalDiva]

Yes!... She "...has done so much research in this area...", So I guess ALL the other researchers, historians and newsreels were fantasy... AnnaP is weaving a web of fantasy regarding snobbish, self-centered, social climbing wannabes... Wallis, nee Bessie, was a near-do-well, who played the game... and, there you go!... Thank God... Hitler might have taken residence in B'ham Palace... Blah...blah...blah... AnnaP

[@juliarman]

@@MMMTheOriginalDiva I have nothing against a good apologetic character study but this lady seems to cherry pick the facts which suit her delusional admiration and ignore all others. One wishes to hear her excuse for "Operation Cleopatra Whim", for example. That would be worth reading - but this whole approach is an insult to someone interested in history.

[@k4949]

I'm not sure I'd call someone who has extramarital affairs as "prudish."

[@thelistener9196]

Wonderful speaker, beautiful lady. She would have been a great friend to Wallis. Thank you for this most enjoyable experience.

[@janethayes5941]

Always thought Wallis was very misunderstood and misrepresented. I'm glad she's finally received some vindication.

[@francescaderimini2931]

Yes! The CIA followed her and her Nazi collaborations! I guess Pasternak thinks that’s a good thing! History has changed I guess!

[@eclosion6940]

There is no vindication possible for her. She was married and have many lovers silmultaneously, she was with David for convenience, never wanted him to marry her, but she fell in her Down tramp. The love of her live was another man, there are letters about that love. She did not good to anybody she does not founded a charity institution, she did not focus in any other thing than parties, jewels, designer dresses, sex, origies, etc. She got a position and the money to make this world better and she did nothing, just live an sterile life.

[@janethayes5941]

@@eclosion6940 ooohhh a bit judgemental aren't you? How's your life going?

[@eclosion6940]

@@janethayes5941 Oh great I am a very happy a complete person. But I love to read, and I love history. I have been all over the material about her. Thats all.

[@eclosion6940]

German Rogers was her true love.

[@josephignatowicz9903]

She always mistreated him. Everybody tested to it. He died in the arms of a nurse. She did not even visit him.

[@rw9175]

This is disputed...Ask Ms. Pasternak !

[@jh748]

@@rw9175 No it is not.

[@annabellebeckwith9283]

Anna Pasternak speaks so well, and gives a clear and cogent explanation of the Wallis Simpson/Edward relationship.

[@eclosion6940]

I always suspect it got to be a deep strange sexual relación between them, something he had never experimentes before. Now my eyes are wide open to what happen he was a "little man", understood, and she was a mix of man and woman. The ideal couple.

[@aedeenbrown4698]

@@eclosion6940 e zoo

[@louisquintanar3066]

@@eclosion6940 p

[@fritula6200]

As persons of wealth and breeding and prestige....what did they ever do anything for humanity, especially in war torn Europe, where they lived in the 1940s, 50s. What, pet their dogs for love... There is no untold story of Wallis, they did whatvever they wanted. They went to parties and dinners most of their lives.

[@eclosion6940]

They just enjoy themselves all their life. They did not make any good to anyone.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

Most people are like that. They try to enjoy life. That does not make them evil or even bad people.

[@eclosion6940]

@@tamaliaalisjahbana9354 No its not true, a lot of people use their fortunes to help others.

[@Teaally1913]

Good. I hope they did go to parties & have fun! If all is true.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

@@eclosion6940 I did not say all people. I said most people rich or poor try to enjoy life and have fun and there is nothing wrong with that. If they also help people even better. The truth is we do not really know if the Windsors helped people or not. They may have kept it a secret. Many people do.

[@carlsenlifeafter60carlsen11]

I love this, I always thought she was treated badly and felt so sad for her!

[@cuchiakel]

There's a well-researched book about Wallis Simpson called That Woman, that reconstructs her life since she was born, and the image I got was of a very unpleasant character, ambitious, social climbing, in love with money and status, but not with King Edward VIII.

[@eclosion6940]

Do not feel sad for her she live the life she wanted : lots of money, designer dresses, parties, lovers of both sexes, jewels, all a materialistic person needs to be happy.

[@lporquai9048]

Megan is being treated exactly the same

[@eclosion6940]

@@cuchiakel that is exactly how she was, she left many letters by her own hand written that provee her personalizó, and all the other lovers she had. But I think you prever to dismiss all for a fiar tale fantasy. She also was bore of the Duke and treated him badly.

[@eclosion6940]

@@lporquai9048 Excuse me, Meghan was well received by the Royal Family they paid for her luxurious wedding, the dress and all her other expensive clothes and accesories where paid by Charles. They gave her Frogmore House, because she wanted to live in Windsor Castle with the Queen, nothing was going to be enough for her. Do you know why? Because she did not like the job, she love the adulation and the cover of the media but just when they say only good things about her. She thinks, in her mind that she is perfect, a pervert narcisist is what that is called.

[@jenniferwalker5457]

Thank you for a different slant on the Duchess of Windsor. I've read many books about her and almost universally she had been portrayed in a terrible light making one wonder how the Duke fell in love with her. I knew there had to be more to her story.

[@eclosion6940]

At last I understand the sexual bond between them, I knew it had to be comething really strange in that time. He always looked feminine and she masculin.

[@Morris774]

I have always felt sorry for how Wallis and The King were treated. The Queen and Phillips marriage had scandal, Prince Charles, Camilla, Diana, Fergie, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Prince Harry and Megan so much scandal. But Wallis and the King stayed together no matter what happened they died married. But yet ppl say she didn’t love him or hated him. Then she could have left at any time. She was brilliant, she could have figured it out if she really wanted to leave him. But she chose to stay all those years in spite of his family treating her terribly in spite of their own scandals in the family. It’s appalling how they were treated. But I believe Wallis didn’t want him to give up. But to be blamed for his choices, just so sad. I’ve always thought she was a strong lady that deserved so much better then what she received. Very sad.

[@carswatches9073]

@morris.. what is the scandal about Harry and Meghan marriage? He was single and she is divorce. The tampon king and the side dish marriage is different. Both are married with different spouses but carried on an affair. Please leave Meghan and Harry out of your so righteous and pretentious morals!

[@mummybunny331]

Certainly fascinating femme fatale...

[@eclosion6940]

I was reading another biographer ant her life made me stick, I just stop. She was a complete abnormal woman for her time, no morality or dignity at all.

[@josiequintela7238]

How about mingling with Hitler at the time with David. It’s documented, saying he could convince the RF to change their minds & support Hitler just like Mussolini .

[@larrykaufman8100]

So many totally different stories........what to believe??

[@eclosion6940]

Believe what is written by Wallis own hand, there are a lot of letters.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

Yes, read what they themselves wrote and remember that most people are not perfect. At the end of the day he gave up a throne for love and that is as it should be. Love should be more important than a throne. Who knows if he would have been a good king or not but giving up a throne for love - how could that ever be said to be a bad thing?

[@lovejoy7065]

Clearly, AP did not read Anne Sebba's "That Woman" or she did but chose to not acknowledge the facts in it e.g. the love letters WS still wrote Mr. Simpson after their divorce, how DW died alone with only his nurse though he kept calling for her for days while he lay dying. SMH!

[@MargaretHillsdeZ]

What nonsense!

[@maranatha8987]

what might be your intention to paint over and sugarcoat greed , sexual perversion and political treason ?

[@rose5566]

Well said

[@soniaduplessis7817]

The points you mention sound quite valid. But still, I feel sad for her because she was trapped in a marriage with a man she did not really love. And I also feel sad for Edward, because she was with him, but she did not really wánt to be with him. I lean towards believing that she originally just wanted a fling, but he became obsessed with her

[@maranatha8987]

@@soniaduplessis7817 I agree, a very tragic story of a couple suffering the consequences of sin

[@mariadasilva1341]

Mara Natha...one writes books to sell them....make money..get notoriety...be on the best selling list...be part of a certain intellectual elite....

[@eclosion6940]

I keep thinking of that, why is she twisting the truth and facts ?

[@eclosion6940]

So you do not talk about her days in China with her first husband, she even became an spy. She was really interested in money and power, and living the roaring 20's style of excesses.

[@afritimm]

Drivel and gossip. No proof at all.

[@maedilein6802]

Well I formerly believed all the hateful things that were said about Wallis Simpson, so this was eye-opening and welcome to find a sympathetic treatment of her. Thank you for putting this online.

[@Darrigrande]

She was far more inteligent as the duke!

[@tessieallahverdi6746]

One cannot believe that she was prudish.. Both she and her second husband both had affairs. This is how Wallace won the prince over.. The prince could have had anyone he wanted... Wallace was absolutely hideous.

[@afritimm]

Wallis knew she was not beautiful snd not even young when she met the Prince. She had no expectation it would last but enjoyed the attention like many other married aristocrats who had affairs with the Prince. Wallis made herself attractive through lively witty intelligence and a flawless sense of style.

[@debbiebrewington7635]

This is a very interesting story. As time went on, Neither seemed very happy. The Queen Mother didn’t seem to be very kind, making life difficult for Walis and prince Philip as well?? I thought Edward was her 3rd husband?

[@Smartychase]

Yes she was and Anna says so she says "she was already once divorced and now married to Mr Simpson when she met Edward"

[@eclosion6940]

I would not want my son marry a woman like that.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

He was

[@afritimm]

Edward clearly adored her all his life. But you think that’s bad, right?

[@lupemontenegro8730]

Wallis a twisted been,this writer is full of imagination,to lift Wallis to a Saint 😜

[@lauraarbuckle3181]

Interesting perspective but what about Wallace snd Edward’s attraction to Hitler snd the Nazis.

[@catherinenelson4162]

But I do agree that the machinations of the Palace work against some and for others. Fairly or unfairly. And yes, some of the people in the palace are among the most unkind you'd ever meet.

[@verenaisiculai3058]

Even if they were not ROYALS,they deserved one another,they both knew and entertained their future,they shouldn't regret their DECISION AND HE DIDN'T, BUT WALLIS,they lived their lives the way they lived

[@eclosion6940]

Exactly a superficial and egoistic life.

[@afritimm]

Not different from many other aristocrats. The RF prevented Edward from having meaningful positions which he would have liked. As Prince of Wales he was outspoken about worker living conditions, unprecedented for a Royal.

[@johnmulvey5121]

Trout all the same size? what a woman!!

[@rw9175]

Attention to detail ?

[@bonniemagpie5166]

Wallis wasn't entitled to HRH. Wallis did not marry The King when they married.

[@gentiumblue5211]

He was still a Royal Duke so she was entitled to HRH.

[@509cougs]

All scholars agree she was entitled to the HRH.

[@bonniemagpie5166]

Of which Commonwealth do you think they should be addressed as HRH? They weren't allowed back into Great Britain after the abdication. Dukes and Duchesses ( these Titles perfectly given to them) are referred to as 'your grace'. Why should they or anyone else want to cry over this Title? Wallis never was wanting for anything during her marriage to David. It should have been a very gracious privilege for her to be known as Duchess.

[@imageadvisorsinternational7935]

The Queen was told by her mother to never give this title to Wallis...amazing how the hate continues today...Sussex/Windsor.

[@bonniemagpie5166]

@@imageadvisorsinternational7935, The Queen Mother and Wallis never personally got along.

[@flixkat]

Is it possible to rehabilitate someone who passed on confidential information to the nazis? She and her husband betrayed their native countries.

[@wannaduckfin]

Yes. Why did Ribbentrop send her flowers frequently!

[@militzamadrid462]

...there have to be facts about it. A visit to a nazi leader doesn't mean you betray your country. Leaders from all over the world regarless their polítical Views, visit each other.

[@tamaliaalisjahbana9354]

@@wannaduckfin He was a diplomat whose job it is to gather information and try to obtain influence over people in power. Diplomats are often friendly with the girlfriends of people in power because it is a channel towards information and possible influence.

[@karenreiter533]

History is written by the victors so thank you so very much for setting the record straight and telling Wallis’ story.

[@baronessvondengler]

She lost me when she decided to throw the Sussexes under the bus to prop up her heroine. There is one thing Ms Pasternak can't change, as much as she may want: Meghan was already divorced when she met Harry, and their relationship didn't start off as a scandalous affair like Wallis and Edward's.

[@gullwingstorm857]

The Sussexes have thrown themselves under the bus anyway, couple of whiny brats.

[@triannamag4866]

@@gullwingstorm857 SPOILED WHINEY BRATS.

[@inacook2285]

@@gullwingstorm857 so easy to judge when you haven't walked in their shoes...Isn't this the moral of the story?

[@imageadvisorsinternational7935]

@@gullwingstorm857 you are the same mind of the 1930's who created hate toward Wallis.

[@gullwingstorm857]

@@imageadvisorsinternational7935 LOL! Wallis did Britain a favour by getting rid of the nazi king.

[@mytruefox3051]

All form, no content. Fabulous!

[@evawilhelm5113]

Wallis was not the wife of the king. She was the wife of the former king. Doesn't this mean she is not necessarily a HRH?

[@ladybug5859]

Yes my thoughts exactly

[@afritimm]

No. He remained HRH, and by clear rules of protocol the spouse should also be HRH. Butte’s Peersge published a direct criticism of denying Wallis the HRH. All members of the RF are HRH--Anne, Edward, even Andrew. Only if you divorce lije Disma do you lose it.

[@afritimm]

Incorrect. See above.

[@julieblack8130]

Thank you Anna, I will certainly buy your book and I can’t wait to read it.

[@michelles2299]

Mud sticks, she was controlling and threatening to leave David was her weapon. She wouldn't have stayed with him if he was abusive she wanted all the trappings of royalty and she wanted to be queen

[@sl2608]

YES. Thank you!

[@juanswart3125]

I am glad Anna put flowers of the late Duchess's grave. Everyone who passed away, meant something to someone. In her case, the former king, Edward VIII.

[@harriette2000]

I'm all for Anna's fine goal of 'rehabilitating' women who have been wronged by history but think that she could have bestowed her considerable talents and efforts on someone more worthy. I'm not sympathetic to someone who approved of, hosted and visited Nazis. She couldn't have been all that intelligent or insightful to not heed the going-ons in Germany of the persecution of jews, homosexuals and other minorities. There were newspaper reports and emigrés enough for a person with perspicacity to deduce that Hitler was evil. She and Ernest were social climbers through and through and I don't see anything at all admirable in devoting one's life to such puerile goals. Her letters to her aunt Bessie rejoice in every rung she managed to climb on the social ladder in London. She found herself teetering on the top rung with an unbalanced obsessive. Compared to the misery the victims of Nazism suffered Wallis's discomfort at being relegated to the Bahamas doesn't cut it for me. The Duke and his Duchess held that diplomatic position because they simply couldn't be trusted elsewhere. As for her wit that Anna extols. Wallis's only bon mot to have gone down in history is that one 'can never be too thin or rich'. Really! Such values! Like Anna I have some sympathy for a woman who had the guts to have left an abusive first husband but it dissipates when Wallis allows Edward to cuckold Ernest. How csn the letters she wrote contemporaneously to both men be squared? She panders to and returns serve to Edward's infantile protestations in his love letters, while deriding the same man as derisively calling him 'Peter Pan' in her letters to Ernest. Devoted and loyal? I think not.

[@jolesliewhitten6545]

I’m so glad to learn Wallis was faithful to Edward as he lay dying. It always destroyed me to think she abandoned him. Glad you told the truth.

[@eclosion6940]

She was not faithful during the marriage. Read about it.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

He two timed him just like she did her former husband, an adulteress by nature.

[@Jonathanbegg]

She wanted to be Queen, while she still thought Edward owned half the world. When she found that he owned precisely nothing, she was horrified and wanted to escape. But he was too hooked by then, and blackmailed her into staying by threatening suicide.

[@carolineobrien6301]

Jonathan Begg A lot like Harriets wife. Although with much more class than Meagain.

[@eclosion6940]

Exactly, she found him boring.

[@afritimm]

Rubbish. She liked the attentions of a Royal, like legions of married English aristocratic ladies. Did NOT want to marry him.

[@evawilhelm5113]

it is interesting how Harry's wife now is hated and vilified.

[@dawnklug6986]

With good reason....shes out to get as much money as she can before ridding herself of Harry.

[@rajichelliah1743]

Thank you fir giving us so much of information about Wallis Simpson. She lead a fairly grand life in France but sadly towards her end, a lonely one.

[@24Wynn]

I read somewhere that at the end of her life, she had requested before she had dementia, that she wanted nurses and doctors to preserve her life at all cost. She was put on life support for many years until she finally passed away. Very sad that she had no one except for nurses to attend to her at the very end.

[@valkyriesardo278]

I have no sympathy for the discomforts Wallis suffered as a result of her decisions. There are consequences to bad choices. Wallis and Earnest both enjoyed the perks of being favored by David. They both cultivated that relationship and neither of them were naive about his romantic interest. All three played the game too long and love was not a factor. Obsession, vanity, greed, and ambition are not evidence of love. Wallis expected David to dump her and become enamored of someone else. She meant to ride the bus until it stopped. But in the meanwhile, Earnest replaced her. At the point David insisted on marriage she saw no other option. He had settled enough wealth on her that she could have lived quietly alone for the remainder of her life. However, she did not have the courage to live independently. She preferred the social shelter of wedlock, but any man of consequence was now out of her reach because the affair with David was too unsavory a scandal. David was a crook and the royal family covered up the scandal. He profited from illegal monetary transactions. When he abdicated he lied about his personal wealth to gain a larger settlement. In the later years of the marriage, Wallis became bored and impatient with David's constant fawning. She was verbally abusive to him in public. She would leave him home alone and amuse herself with other male companions. David died alone except for the comfort of his attending nurse.

[@afritimm]

Whether Ernedt was cheating or not, she could have stayed with him except that Edward had tied her in knits, threatening to kill himself. Wallis was at home when Edward died, lots of fuss about whether she was down the hall or not. Silly gossip. And she didn’t ABUSE him in public, she was slightly domineering because he clearly loved it.

[@evangelineeriksson1358]

Thank you this is the Best Royal Story I have ever listened to. I believe you.

[@KingoftheRoad-2023]

11:39 What NONSENSE-I stopped watching after this LIE and LIE-How can u say Wallis had male and female parts? Did you actually see her in private? There is nothing like that in the world

[@taathefriendlyway6888]

oh yes there is.! Just Look up: "LADY~COLIN CAMPBELL." /she has honestly discussed having been born that way.!

[@neilstephen6761]

Thank you for an enlightening video

[@anthonycharnock6560]

I've listened to the radio interview with Wallis and Edward made by Mr Harris. I thought what a wonderful lady she was and how nice he was...There was no self pity at all. The Duchess has been maligned so unfairly in the past and I think the book "The American Duchess" puts to bed, the propaganda that every class of the British people have been fed over the years. I think Wallis's ill treatment grated on the Queen (being a natural reconciler). HM had to consider her mother's feelings, otherwise it would have been a different story. Your writing of this book was a task sent to you by the Universe...you have fulfilled it accurately, fairly and with diligence...Well done!

[@imageadvisorsinternational7935]

I am fortunate to have found a man who loves me...unconditionally. Wallis...was very lucky.

[@esetapowell7662]

So true, Harry stands with his family, unlike Diana's experience.

[@bornfree1888]

He was a weakling and a "brat", that's all.

[@rw9175]

She came across her own personal " stalker "...I wouldn't call that " lucky "...!

[@deborahklinlger8565]

Obsessive behavior rewards someone is not LOVE, it's creepy & posseive & not giving your partner the immature & insecure. Based on a fear of that person leaving you. It's the opposite of unconditional love.

[@imageadvisorsinternational7935]

@@deborahklinlger8565 Were you there?

[@yaakov45]

Dear Ms. Pasternak, Thank you for this video about my cousin, the. Duchess of Windsor. My grandmother actually was a school mate of Wallis Warfield in Baltimore. My grandmother did not like Wallis at school, and even though they were 2nd cousins were not friendly. Perhaps Wallis was far more intelligent than her classmates? My family was extremely unaccepting of Wallis especially after she married the Duke of Windsor, for the reasons commonly accepted throughout the world. My sister was in contact for a while with Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones, who said to my sister how much she had wanted contact with her Baltimore family, but it was too late as the Duchess of Windsor had already died years earlier. Your video has helped me get over my prejudice about my cousin, Wallis. If I am ever in the UK again I will try to get permission to lay flowers on her grave. It’s a promise. I will also purchase your book. You’ve done incredible research on this matter and I thank you.

[@lynetteclarke800]

Interesting. Looking forward to reading your book.

[@spinozareader]

Such a silly documentary.

[@elinorferrars8699]

Thank you Anna for telling the story of Wallis Simpson that the establishment didn't want us to know.

[@eclosion6940]

It is not as Anna says. Read more books about her.

[@barbaracook4764]

I like the story of Edward and Wallace, however, I did not like or appreciate the stabs you made about the Sussexes particularly about Meghan. Perhaps you'll be writing the truth about her one day too. Truth meaning The Dutchess is a good person who has been given a bad rap.

[@musician8114]

Thank you very much for this biography! I had not known facts of this story. It’s quite fascinating! ♥️

[@iwlitfest]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@exceedinc]

I believe that regardless of bias or rumors, or being products or their time, they left an incredible story outlining the atmosphere of their era, and that will live on forever.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

Did Wallis have an operation to mend her birth deformity? You insist that Wallis did absolutely nothing wrong. I take it that you feel like cheating on your husband is not wrong, wherein I disagree, much in the same vein as in the fact that Charles spent the night before his wedding sleeping with Camilla - and never gave up this love for her. It destroyed a royal marriage. Adultery removed a King from his throne albeit a scapegoat in Wallis or not.

[@eclosion6940]

At that time there was no possiblity of having surgery. Today it is treated with hormones and surgery. Medicine was not so advance at that time.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

@@eclosion6940 Why is this not a well known fact about Walls? Hmmmm. I mean: this is quite some news.

[@tamararutland-mills9530]

Agreed, particularly in her assistance tat Wallis did absolutely nothing wrong. Aside from adultery, planting herself in the royal family, hosting a royal event for in which Queen Elizabeth 1 was present was wrong and so out of place.

[@sandybrayer262]

Bravo, Ms. Pasternak! I have read your book and I was so pleased that you spoke to people who could really reveal Wallis's personality and character traits. Other biographies and documentaries have all been so horribly negative. I never felt that she deserved to be so vilified. Wallis was human with both good and bad traits. I loved her style and the way that she provided a beautiful and loving life for her husband. Under the circumstances, Wallis was a class act! Thank you for a great read and for (hopefully) turning the tide for this American Duchess!

[@rw9175]

Both Wallis and Ernest benefitted by their closeness to the Prince/King...But she didn't want to divorce Ernest for David...But she didn't understand the depth of his occasion with her !

[@Tiesquel]

She was a social climber and settled down to a lavish life in exile, benefitting from the Crown funds with no other reason than to be married to a former king's son.

[@lauriedenham5634]

Thank you for this interview. ❤

[@richardwhitfill5253]

King Edward thought he could marry Ms Simpson and still be King. The prime minister informed the King he couldn't.

[@kalligirl4374]

Thankfully for the country!

[@leafuller3153]

Excellent. My goodness, what they put her thru - no one is all good or all bad.

[@rosechild3118]

Why does everyone tell a different story when it comes to Wallis being a hermaphrodite...?

[@annfeeney1662]

That struck me as quite significant . I’ll bet she had a strong libido.

[@zzzbbbooo]

Her doctor confirmed, after her death I think, that she had normal female anatomy.

[@ANGELAVITULLI]

Hello Anna Pasternak I have always enjoyed your accounts of royal members of the royal family this one about Mrs. Wallace Simpson I feel was done with the utmost respect. ❤❤

[@jstewart3517]

Royal families sure like strange things.

[@lizbiedinger9065]

They were pro German, he loved the Germans and he was fluent in German. Wallis and her second husband Ernest were social climbers but Wallis overplayed her hand and got stuck with him. They were both very anti semitic plus! They both passed info to the Germans/Nazi's even from the Bahamas. She could barely stand Edward and berated him in public calling him mosquito. He bored her stiff. There is just so much. They were horrible to staff. She gave parties and after WW11 they traveled and sponged off people. They hung out with questionable people. There is so much info about this ghastly pair, l can't imagine where Ms.Pasternak got her info Heaven's above and good grief. They had to keep him out of Britain, you can't have 2 kings. Edward told the Nazi's to increase the bombing of Britain so they would give in. This is all well documented.

[@swannoir]

Thank you so much for sharing your research, Anna. I especially appreciate your addressing the circumstances of the Duke's death and the vast differences between Wallis and another American that people like to try to compare her to.

[@normathomas8276]

She was far from nice to the queen mother calling her that fat little scottish cook calling her cookie so rehabilitate her she could have walked away and Edward wasn't particularly nice you only have to read how he spoke about his tragic little brother prince john being practically an animal

[@amandadassonville4043]

I believe she was called cookie by a lot of people and with good reason too. There is much to read up on that. 📖🐝

[@wpl8275]

Is Wallis Simpson really that misjudged? In my mind she and King Edward deserved each other. They chose to be with each other. As for comparing King Edward to Prince Harry which Pasternak does nowadays, it's ridiculous. Harry was never going to be king. His wife was never going to be queen. What saddens me is the fact that after 90 years the British tabloid press is worse than it was. It is more heinous and despicable. And this thing called royalty is still going strong in the 21st century. It's just ridiculous. What a sick and twisted society the UK has with Brexit, tabloid press, Johnson as PM and the Royal Family being racist bigots. Is this really a country that is moving forward? Growing? Evolving? Or an inbred maelstrom of delusional entropic numskulls.

[@joycechua7603]

Anna, i greatly greatly appreciate you telling her side of the story. I have two separate books about them on my bookshelf and I have since reunited them. Greater love has no one than these two; that they had willingly lay down their entire lives for each other. Your book is next on my reading list.

[@susannaaivajeedas9492]

She of course had many flaws. Still I think she was intelligent to see the bigger picture and understand how this was going down. She remained with him and her final years were really bad for her. No one rescued her in the end when she had her dogs removed, held hostage in her bedroom, stole from her.