Duke of Windsor (Edward VIII) Interview in German | 1966 [eng. subtitles]

[@markfalcoff1743]

According to what he told one biographer, the royal family employed German servants whose job it was to speak German to the royal children at meals. This was because at the time they had close family relations with a number of kings and queens in various German states and they needed to be able to talk to them on visits.

[@ninascheicher5500]

King Edward VIII mother was German; Maria von Teck, later Queen Mary.

[@JGumaerTesta]

House of Saxe - Coburg - Gotha... German House of Hanover- German.

[@zzzbbbooo]

@@ninascheicher5500 Queen Mary's father was of German origin. She was born in England and never lived in Germany...nor did she have a German accent. Most royals in those days spoke English, German and French though.

[@ingeborgsuckel8858]

@@ninascheicher5500 she was born and raised in England, although her father was german

[@Gayalert69]

@@ninascheicher5500 Rubbish. She was a British Princess with a German father and British mother. Born in Kensington, raised in Richmond, died in London. British through and through.

[@normanchristie4524]

Notice how he listens for the end of the sentence.....my German friend told me many years ago that this why Germans look so intelligent, they are listening for the final verb which makes sense!

[@richardcleveland8549]

Mark Twain taught himself German, which language he wrestled with mightily. In 1880, he published an essay, "The Awful German Language" as an appendix in "A Tramp Abroad." There are some very, very funny observations!

[@Blublod]

@Aufdieins - And here I thought it was through Yoda powers that Germans would know 🤦‍♂️

[@juliarman]

That is not true, as it is easy to guess how the sentence will end. But it is certainly true that a conference translator has to wait until the sentence ends, because a translator is supposed to translate the exact word.

[@M.Robespierre3691]

Germans look so intelligent?! Certainly not more than any other people.

[@him050]

Are we over complicating “listening” now?

[@Jerseyboondocks]

I knew he was part German and that he could speak German but never heard him speak it! until now...just wow

[@AviationAddict69]

Wholly German with just a tad hint of Hungarian. Both of Edward’s parents are of German ancestry: Queen Mary was essentially German (Teck/Württemberg, Hanover), George V was also wholly German (though Queen Alexandra was a princess of Denmark, she was born as a princess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, a German junior collateral line which was then-distantly related to the ruling branch of Oldenburg in Denmark)

[@georgosdidymus2023]

Actually from George I to George V , the British Royal family was wholly German. The Duke and and his siblings had about 12% Hungarian ancestory thru their mother Queen Mary. If you really go back in time, the British Royal family are descended from 3 ancient German Noble houses : Welfs, Wettins and Oldenburgs. Strictly speaking , King Charles III is of the House of Glucksburg, a cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg.

[@camillechang7120]

Princess Diana was more British than King Charles

[@cv507]

häl 9001 even öztryänce spiq germähn vAv and baFähriänZ ^ ^

[@witchynerdhermit]

I mean, he was best buddies with Hitler, so it's not surprising.

[@stxa2594]

Georg Stefan Troller always was a splendid journalist. Well-educated, immaculate manners, polite questions and yet very thorough. A highly interesting man and contemporary witness of the 20th century (born in Vienna, exiled to the US, returned to Europe after the war, an intimate connoisseur of France). He even turned 102 last year!

[@dottieparker7274]

Wow!

[@valleria483]

@@stxa2594 and still didn't know that Edward wasn't exiled

[@stxa2594]

@@valleria483 It was apparently just the wrong choice of words.

[@valleria483]

@@stxa2594 pretty heavy mistake

[@stxa2594]

@@valleria483 I'm happy to agree with you. You need that. 😀

[@DCFunBud]

The Duke said when he was a child the servants would retire for the evening. That is when the Royal Family would converse amongst themselves in German. This is where he learned.

[@zzzbbbooo]

He would have been taught German in the schoolroom. Royals in those days were expected to speak more than one language, especially with their family members spread throughout Europe.

[@johnfernleigh1352]

He never mentioned that in his ghosted autobiography and it is very unlikely. His father, George V, spoke no foreign languages and was quite xenophobic. George V hated travelling abroad.

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

his german is not good enough for this "story"

[@aganica]

war seine Mutter nicht eine von Theck und sein Vater ein Windsor (also Coburg-Gotha)?😅

[@DCFunBud]

@@aganica Yes, my German friend.

[@theram4320]

On my trips to Germany, I destroy german vocabulary (and grammar) far worse than he does, however, I am struck by the peoples willingness to allow me to practice. I am very grateful. Our French cousins do not extend me the same courtesy.

[@Mark-yy2py]

That’s why the French are seen as jerks to the rest of Europe.

[@mjremy2605]

French people are also kind to those who attempt to speak French, honestly and humbly, but not those who mock it. If you lived in France during WWII and saw everything destroyed by German Nazis, you would not feel too kindly toward them either. The French are also snobs, a known fact. So you do get elitism there.

[@theram4320]

@@mjremy2605 I've been to France scores of times, on work and holiday. I genuinely try, I'm polite and I don't mock. I've met those who are patient and will help, I've also met those whose faces contort when you make mistakes and almost (or openly) mock you in return. I'm guessing for those people there is an expectation that you won't butcher their language and will be fluent. However, we all have to reach fluency through practice.

[@j.3069]

​@mjremy2605 as a German who learned French at school , was at several exchanges with pupils from France, I wish to add not once was I mocked and there was no such thing as hatred towards Germans because of WW2 in my experience, it did happen to me only in Poland, but then they apologised and bought me a beer. And stupid stereotypes about Germans speaking like Hitler, etc paired with gross lack of awareness of continental community /EU in the UK that never understood nor wanted to be part of the unity of continental Europe yet seems to not have found it's identity after loosing its power and significance in the world. France and Germany are like brothers and that for a very long time already. We may fight like brothers also, very direct , haha, but we know and understand each other better than UK seems to be aware.

[@theram4320]

@@j.3069 It would be wise to leave politics where it belongs...in the sewer. As you've highlighted it I will offer my opinion. Britain's exit from the EU was through a democratic vote. Her entry to the EC in 1972 was forced through Parliament with a slim majority of 12 votes. A confirmatory Referendum confirmed membership of the EC (not the EU) in 1975. However, Britain's place in the club has never commanded the support of all its citizens and resentment among those that either did not support it, or those who wanted a loser arrangement continued to smoulder. In the modern period Britain also has a good record of not violating other Europeans national borders by force, therefore we do not have to be bound to other countries to prevent this like Germany to France post WW2. The EU project isn't all roses though is it? The anti EU movements are growing in size and power across the continent. No amount of gaslighting can counter that. I did not once mention politics, only the experiences that I have had. Nor was I glorifying or indulging in Monty Pythonesque national stereotypes. In fact, I think that may have been you doing that!

[@sunrise560]

Thank you for bringing this interview out of the archives and back into the light of day! Georg Stefan Troller was one of the most important German-speaking journalists. With fine language, respect for the interviewee and an aura of dignity unrivalled today. This is also reflected in the interview with the Duke. Unfortunately too short...!

[@MichaelaSchneider-j7o]

😂😂😂😂what do you want hear😂😂, that he loves HITLER😂😂😂

[@Noname-sf2rm]

Und Friedrich Luft aus der gleichen Zeit. Ihresgleichen gibt es leider nicht mehr.

[@misscoutts6193]

He could go back whenever he wished.....but, Wallis would not be received at Court and that is why he would not go back. This was a tactical psychological move to prevent him returning. He had asked his brother if he might retain his home, Fort Belvedere and was answered in the affirmative, but in reality, they knew he would not be coming back.

[@malcolmdods7466]

His brother King George v1 had to buy Balmoral from him and a very high price was demanded as the Duke didn't have a lot of money .

[@Dwightinho56]

The current King should do the same regarding Harry and Meghan.

[@randywatts6969]

@@misscoutts6193 mostly orchestrated by the Queen Mother

[@toomuchinformation]

​@@Dwightinho56That is pretty much what is happening.

[@veenamishra8950]

They had just come through a war where the Duke backed the other side. More than family feelings at stake

[@HRH-THO-II]

It's so funny the cadence of his voice is still the same. It had the same rhythm

[@ryanscottlogan8459]

His mother was a German Princess and his cousin was the Kaiser.No surprise he could speak German!☺️

[@ingeborgsuckel8858]

His mother was English

[@saffronjay3903]

​@@ingeborgsuckel8858 no she wasn't she was Princess of Tech

[@AM-qp2wx]

*Teck

[@npet6842]

@@CloudWatcher500 Not perfect

[@i.sodeikat8397]

​​@@Tomymind Well, since you are so precise. The family of Thun and Hohenstein is located in today's Austria since the 12th century. Back then their location was part of the huge Holy Roman Empire of the german nation 😊

[@jamesseaman2950]

King Charles speaks reasonably good German too. If not for WW1, he would still hold several German titles.

[@MoManny]

Had no idea. What was his reason for learning German? It's interesting that even post WW2, these folks were still learning German. Perhaps its because the Windsor name was made up and they were German by lineage

[@jamesseaman2950]

@@MoManny Monarchs are expected to know multiple languages. King Charles and Prince William both reportedly speak five languages.

[@stxa2594]

@@MoManny You should keep in mind that today's Windsor family was - historically - the Saxe-Coburg & Gotha aristocracy: basically German-based. Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert was in fact a German, born in Coburg/Franconia. Obviously during WW I it wasn't quite appropriate for Britons to refer to one's German roots, so the family understandably changed their name to "Windsor". As already pointed out by many users here, European aristocracy was usually polyglot anyway.

[@valleria483]

He doesn't speak good German. Really not

[@valleria483]

​​@@jamesseaman2950and none of it properly

[@josesanchez-os7zr]

The Windsors are actually House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. German has always been his language. In the family and domestic sphere they spoke German.

[@magentacyan6086]

He doesn't sound like a native speaker though. Btw, the Windsors after Queen Elizabeth II are no longer Saxe-Coburg & Gotha, since the membership to German Royal houses does not pass through the female line. So Windsor is an independent house now.

[@harrynewiss4630]

not accurate

[@chislehurstbat]

Definitely not his native tongue or bilingual level but fluent with grammar mistakes and English accent, as well as some German dialect inflections. Prince Philip on the other hand sounded like a native with very few grammar mistakes. Like a German that had lived abroad almost all of his life. Different league.

[@josesanchez-os7zr]

@@harrynewiss4630 These people spoke German in the family domestic environment. Any "minimally" informed person knows that.

[@jomc20]

He had an English accent and his German was not fluent.

[@marie-luisepeetz2610]

🇨🇵 Es ist so schön mal wieder " Pariser Journal " mit G. S. Troller zu hören ,das ich früher im TV gesehen u. verfolgt habe . Wie gut Edward VIII deutsch sprach . 🇬🇧

[@VintageTreats]

For anybody wondering about his language skills and accent speaking German: His pronunciation is good for the most part, but you can definitely hear an English accent. Also, he uses some expressions that don’t exist this way in German, so as a listener it helps to know English Grammar to understand correctly what he’s trying to say. When stressing a point (e.g. the part about being “exiled”), he switches to English to make sure he’s understood correctly. In comparison, Prince Philip’s or Charles’ German is much better, without doubt. It is, however, evident that he understands everything the interviewer says and reacts to it without hesitation, which is more impressive to me because the interviewer’s (Austrian) German is very sophisticated and not necessarily easy to follow. People don’t talk this way anymore, so even as a native I had to look up one or two expressions.

[@not_steve340]

Prince Philip went to school in Germany and France, as well as the UK, and he was very fluent in all three languages. Not that language ability and intelligence are exactly the same, but he was probably one of the sharper royals. I have never heard Charles speak in French or German without a prepared text, so I couldn't really say how good he is. It's one thing to understand what you're reading and have a passable accent, but being able to converse is another level.

[@mikeoglen6848]

Is this why he made a mistake with "exiled"?

[@valerietaylor9615]

He spoke German pretty well. His accent was good, if not quite that of a native speaker. I noticed he stammered a bit, like his brother, George VI.

[@honeybadger1810]

Bad nanny I believe.

[@misscoutts6193]

He looks a bag of nerves.

[@susanlindadalton1287]

He has an English accent, I didnt see it so much as stammering but thinking of the answer in German. Alot of people do that when they are not fluent in another language.

[@tp2046]

Quatsch, his accent is clearly a British accent, take it from a German native speaker. Charles‘ accent is a lot better, it seems like he is either much more inclined to learning foreign languages or has heard German a lot more throughout his youth. Not surprisingly actually…

[@markfalcoff1743]

Actually there are a few grammatical errors...failure to use the subjunctive where it is appropriate. But on balance pretty good German.

[@123pb]

His grandmother Queen Victoria spoke German and her grandson was the Kaiser of Germany

[@dianathomas3473]

Queen Victoria was his Great grandmother. Father= George the 5th, Grandfather=Edward the 7th, Great Grandmother= Queen Victoria .

[@petraschwingeler9688]

Queen Victorias parents were German, it was her mother language

[@Gooeybrowniebaby]

@@petraschwingeler9688 Not her dad, the Duke of Kent, but he prolly spoke very good German nonetheless.

[@SN-sz7kw]

6 years before his death. It’s sad seeing him so composed but already gasping for air.

[@JORIS1234HOTMAIL]

Too,many cigarettes 😮

[@swannoir]

I like this glimpse of them. But it's sad.

[@swannoir]

I wonder if the Duke regretted doing this interview. I'd like to see more of it. Wallis was certainly looking good.

[@ryanscottlogan8459]

Why would he regret it?

[@Susanne_von_Gotha]

Es ist schön, ihn deutsch sprechen zu hören. :-)

[@Buttlands]

Weiss Ich aber er hat einen starken englischen Akzent, er kennt jedenfals gut Deutsch.

[@truthlifefishing1730]

er hasste die Kommunisten, die in Deutschland einmarschieren wollten und seinen Patenonkel Zar Nikolaus II. ermordet hatten. Großbritannien und die Vereinigten Staaten wurden von Kommunisten regiert. Deshalb wurde er gestürzt.

[@cv507]

Flänz jösäFF hat schönärr jähspröökD -:- kinnti kin plätt mäeHR -.- ^^

[@susanlindadalton1287]

@@Buttlands Scheint aber alles zu verstehen auch wenn er beim sprechen einen Akzent hat.

[@SplendidMisanthropy]

He had a great command of the language. I am thoroughly impressed.

[@davidlogan4329]

wonderful interview

[@HeinzBecker-ih5fv]

I wish I had the opportunity to meet this MAN ! Against all odds! Thats is Charisma!

[@dbyers3897]

It's not surprising he was fluent in German since many members of UK's royal family speak German & French. What is clear here is the obvious illness of the duke. Rheumy eyes with bags, fatigue, & his constant gulping of air. Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David died less than three years later of emphysema & lung cancer, being a life-time chain smoker like the brother who succeeded him, George VI. Of his three other brothers, John died in his teens of an apparent seizure, George, Duke of Kent, died in a plane crash during WW2, & Henry, Duke of Gloucester, lived to the ripe age of 74 after a series of strokes had disabled him.

[@Achtermeyer]

8:58 Es ist ersichtlich, dass ihm das Wort Exil nicht gefällt.

[@Theoneandonlyadammurphyryan]

und es ist so klar, dass er sich in einer Art Exil befand und nach der Abdankung seines Bruders, der Krönung seiner Nichte, nur drei- bis viermal nach England zurückkehrte, sodass er nicht an der Beerdigung seiner Mutter und seiner Schwester teilnahm

[@schusterlehrling]

Es war ja kein Exil, sondern eine frei gewählte Abwesenheit, um nicht ständig dem aktuellen Monarchen lästig zu sein. Gelegentlich ist er ja hin und wieder zurückgekehrt, aber wohnhaft blieb er nicht im UK.

[@HansBerger-m3d]

ihm gefällt absolut nichts. Und darf es nicht zugeben.

[@in9597]

​@@schusterlehrlingof course 😊

[@Porsche996driver]

Das kommt ein bissel später lol Ich war in Mannheim stationiert, das Spruch hab ich auch gelernt lol.

[@sabineherzog6270]

Sehr schön..dad wusste ich nicht. Dankeschön für diesen Beitrag und RIP Sir the Duke of Windsor 🙏

[@DerekWilliamsMusic]

Amazing footage!

[@NiVi192]

He is SO eloquent! Yet, I love that little traits of a dialect slip though here and there, like "bissl" instead of "ein bisschen" (like saying "a little" instead of "a bit" or "slightly"). 😄

[@jomc20]

In Austria they say 'bissl' instead of 'bisschen', though.

[@NiVi192]

@@jomc20 True, even in Bavaria. I just find it cute that it slipped out.

[@scouser19a]

@@NiVi192 because they have relatives in Baden-Württemberg where this is used often

[@a24-45]

Wow. Fascinating. The interviewer doesn't hold back with his opinion of the Duke 0:35 to 1:04 -- Troller's commentary is scathing. I bet the Duke regretted agreeing to do this interview, on finding out out about the finished version with its stinging preamble.

[@evelynriedel2334]

That was some serious shade!

[@frankh.2669]

Scathing and stinging, I don't know. I'd rather describe it as pointed. Troller always had his "tone", his elaborate vocabulary, his stylish sentences. Yes, he does hint at the prince being somewhat of a lightweight, one can interpret it like that. But one can also merely read it as an artful phrasing of what little there is left when a king has abdicated. It never gets disrespectful.

[@someinteresting]

Yeah, he liked very much to talk with German speakers, especially with an Austrian.

[@mats7492]

His german is really really good.. Couple grammatical errors but perfectly understandable to me as a native german

[@MaggieKrenek]

He spoke very good German.

[@nts821]

He was a pure blood ethnic German.

[@satsumamoon]

Nah, he learned.German at school but not to.an advanced degree. Most of this was learned in preparation for the interview; his accent is terrible and shows he has had little exposure to native speakers. When the interview goes off track he immediately.returns to a language that he can comfortably converse in.

[@nts821]

@@satsumamoon He didn't go to school.

[@Celisar1]

Being German I would rather call it „good enough“.

[@Celisar1]

@@nts821 He wasn’t and language is not a matter of genes but upbringing which was English.

[@fionajackson4452]

Very interesting. It seems to me that the Royal Family (maybe all monarchs and royals) are very sporty - a gene that previously was useful in combat - winning or maintaining their throne, now less so, therefore sport is an outlet. Also, our (I'm English/British) Royal Family are and have been cosmopolitan but this doesn't filter down to the general populace. The Royals are missing a trick not telling us ordinary Brits that learning a foreign language or two is a good thing and liking foreigners also!

[@susanford2388]

Queen Elizabeth's grandmother was German but born in London & spoke German with her children.

[@maxwellfan55]

An intimate and revealing interview.

[@tituscaesar]

Wow this is amazing footage. I had no idea he was fluent in German. I'm no expert but his German sounds pretty good. He lived in France. How many languages could he speak? Impressive. Recently, King Charles spoke German in his state visit to Germany.

[@jennifersivewright3117]

Prince Phillip also spoke German. My best friend also does.

[@r.b.2737]

S a German living in Germany, my best friend also speaks excellent german.

[@boadiccea1]

so do I - I married a German-Bavarian, lived and worked in Hamburg, Berlin, and Heidelberg - .. but have lived in my birth and home-town now for 40 years .. this poor man, like his niece Margaret, was forbidden to marry the love of their lives . the Monarchy is steeped in deceit, and rotten to the core ..

[@josealmeida76]

Sandra Bullock also speaks German very well.

[@ChatLibre2210]

And HRH Prince Philip spoke an excellent French too ! 👍❤✌

[@josealmeida76]

@@ChatLibre2210 Did HRH Prince Philip speak Greek?

[@Unna1969]

Excellent German speaking skills. I was unaware.

[@LeicaM11]

He IS German heritage.

[@WilloSNoack]

The fromer King of England spoke only broken German and answered so times in English!

[@misscoutts6193]

At 4 minutes he is shaking hands with his left hand because he had shook so many hands his arm was sprained. He wanted to be on the front line in WW1 but wasn't allowed.

[@jamesseaman2950]

The last English monarch to personally lead his army into battle was George II in 1743. There's actually something to be said for the idea of a head of state personally putting his life on the line. If it was expected of modern leaders, you can just image how quickly diplomacy would break out.

[@peters8868]

Please excuse my english error and I thank the one who corrected me. 🙌❤ I know Edward "David" was a good one and he tried to prevent the upcoming war. He was NOT a traitor. Of course we Germans know about the German roots of the Windsors. Some other (bad) powers wanted this war and forced him to abdicate. Please consider, who married the Windsors today so the official reason (the marriage of Wallis Simpson) was just ridiculous. And I know a lot more, David protected his younger brother Bertie (later King George VI). Their father King George V was (sometimes) very harsh to his children. Especially Bertie (the future King George VI) was introverted, shy and sensitive. He suffered especially. later then he began to stammer.

[@marcsetmais7598]

He speaks excellent German, showing how German the British royal family actually is. The film is astonishingly sharp and honest, my compliments : who would dare that today!

[@zzzbbbooo]

No member of the British royal family has been German-born for over 200 years.

[@ladyalexandra2980]

Interessantes Zeitdokumment. Aber was ist das für ein Interview? Er ist irritiert, wenn die Reihenfolge der Fragen anders ist?

[@cap0815]

very good german skill with one typical exception - the "R" is spoken in german in a soft way, it is very hard for an english native

[@kunalmalhotra3634]

Good to hear a British royal speak his native language

[@valerietaylor9615]

The British Royal family are mainly of German descent, but German is hardly their native language.

[@LVZVRUS]

@@valerietaylor9615that generation perhaps. From Elizabeth II they’re pretty British. I’d also say George I was 1/4 British

[@verzinghettorix6360]

All English are German anyway speaking a bastardized Germanic language that would sound a lot more like German if some “French” mfs (who were really some more Germans” invaded and brought some romance words

[@haopengzhang8237]

@@LVZVRUS Charles is very German as well. His father Philip has a German father from the house of Glucksburg and a German mother from the house of Battenberg.

[@rg-cc5kg]

Rest assured, his German is quite good, but no German would mistake him for a native speaker.

[@michelles2299]

So the story goes, he lived once for a very short while on this planet, he passed through life and then passed away

[@Josh2312-v5n]

ich bin part german part british und sein deutsch ist gut, sehr gut

[@Celisar1]

Being German I would call it good enough but nothing more.

[@Josh2312-v5n]

@@Celisar1 dt Haltung ist es am dt Wesen soll die Welt genesen aber british war 1924 1/4 der Welt und da der deutsche zur borniertheit neigt....dann soll der Michel sich sorgen machen ...ish dish alter was so abgeht im vormals 1000 jährigen reich

[@Birashanuman]

@@Celisar1 Ich bin auch ein deutschsprachiger Englaender , aber ich stimme zu !

[@Jimo1956]

Es ist gut. Nicht sehr gut.

[@LeicaM11]

…because he was German…

[@hansjochenvo6094]

Das britische Königshaus war bis zur jetzigen Generation mehr deutsch als britisch.Das hat dieses Königshaus mit dem niederländischen gemein,das auch weitgehend deutscher Abstammung ist.

[@lividlarry1026]

Viele wichtige (ehemalige) Köngishäuser sind von deutscher Abstammung. Man muss nur das Haus Oldenburg betrachten, welchem einst viele verschiedene Kaiser/ Könige angehörten. Der letzte Kaiser Russlands gehörte dem Hause an, der aktuelle König Norwegens und die ehemalige dänische Königin ebenfalls. So auch Griechenland, weswegen der Sohn des verstorbenen Prinz Philips, der aktuelle König Charles, väterlicherseits auch diesem Hause angehört. Und das ist jetzt nur ein Haus. Durch die vielen verschiedenen Königreiche und Großherzogtümern im Heiligen Römischen Reich gibt es viele deutsche Häuser, die einen großen Einfluss auf die (europäische) Geschichte hatten. Das bedeutet aber nicht, dass irgendeiner dieser Adeligen deutsch ist, sondern nur, dass sie deutscher Abstammung sind.

[@elasticharmony]

Genetics are much more important than national loyalty

[@mikeoglen6848]

@@lividlarry1026 I'd like to point out that the "Holy Roman Empire" was neither holy nor Roman, nor indeed an Empire...

[@bernhardastmann544]

As a German native speaker I feel very uncomfortable with the cheeky undertone of the interviewer. His manner how to ask and all comments are very condescend. The Duke is too polite to react!

[@swannoir]

Thank you for adding this context.

[@albertseabra8993]

Former heads of state used to be able to speak different foreign languages. Mainly, French, German, and Spanish. The new King Charles III speaks French and German. And his mother, Queen Elizabeth was fluent in French. In the US, since Kennedy's Administration, only Nixon was able to read French, although is command was rusty.

[@bonnie_gail]

all of the RF speak Spanish

[@LeicaM11]

No, the British Queen and King‘s family is German.

[@henryworthington8261]

Learnt German while on holiday! Wow! Accomplished, well-educated. Wise???

[@cv507]

xP millkey vveh

[@boadiccea1]

He didn't go to school - neither did his brother, Elizabeth and Margaret ....

[@bonnie_gail]

no, he was brought up learning German

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

​@@boadiccea1 he and his brother went to boarding schools...

[@LeicaM11]

No, he was German as the entire Windsor family.

[@davidmartin3468]

Fascinating

[@TS-bn7zt]

I thought that also 👍

[@johnlarkin3821]

His mother, May of Tec, was born in London ...

[@dickyt1318]

his speaking German has the same 'shock effect' that I had listening to Kaiser 'Bill' speaking in English !

[@cocox5514]

Er sagt er dürfe jederzeit nach England reisen, deshalb ist er nicht im Exil. War es aber nicht so, dass er nur auf Einladung des König und später der Königin einreisen durfte? Ich meinte er durfte zur Beerdigung seiner Mutter, aber nicht an die seines Bruders King Georg, dass Ihm vor allem seine Mutter und die spätere Queen Mom Elisabeth nie verziehen hatten, dass er zu Gunsten einer Frau abgedankt ist und Georg seine Bürde tragen musste.

[@stevebaker6149]

Why do people, in this day and age, persist in thinking that the Duke of Windsor did not attend the funeral of King George VI, when a simple Google search will confirm his presence and photos and films show him walking behind the coffin?

[@tashassims6383]

@@stevebaker6149 They confuse The Crown with actual facts.

[@lexistenceestailleurs]

wow!!! thank u!!!

[@519djw6]

*Es ist keine Überraschung, dass der damalige Herzog von Windsor (König Edward VIII. von England) Deutsch konnte. Es ist noch heute erwartet, dass der König von England mehrsprachig sei. Bevor er König wurde, war er der Prinz von Wales, und es wurde erwartet, dass er eine Rede auf Walisisch halten konnte. Davon abgesehen war das „Haus von Windsor" ursprünglich das deutsche Haus von Saxe-Coburg. Überdies würde es mich nicht überraschen, wenn er auch Französisch konnte. Lassen Sie bitte auf jeden Fall die Erinnerung an Edward VIII. und Wallis Simpson in Frieden ruhen. Es gab allein im 20. Jahrhundert viele schlimmere Monarchen als dieser Mann.*

[@greglawrence8224]

He didn't want the restrictions responsibilities and obligations that came with being king. He married Mrs Simpson and passed the job onto his younger brother. He spent the rest of his time living the good life hanging around in the background.

[@colinallan1962]

Dryden wasn't born until 1631 so can hardly be called a contemporary of Shakespeare who died in 1616. Dryden's play " All for Love " was written in 1677.

[@mirola73]

Yep, the 'Windsors' are actually called Saxe Coburg Gotha. As that sounded 'too German' they changed their name to 'something British' in WW1.

[@Kazuya720]

Beeing able to speak Garman seems to be a good habit at the british Royals. Pleases my ears. 😊 Danke schön.

[@HektorBandimar]

Did Edward Vlll speak good German. Was he fluent?

[@LeicaM11]

The entire Windsor family is German (von Sachsen zu Coburg Gotha), QEII had a German husband Battenberg (converted into Mountbatten)😊 Even Queen Victoria had been the aunt of cousins German Kaiser and Russian Tzar.

[@carlasowie5978]

Irrtum. Philipp war kein Deutscher !

[@iluvcurryandbeer]

Queen Victoria was actually Kaiser Wilhelms maternal Grandmother. Her daugher (also Victoria) was his mother

[@Vince-l4k]

They buy their supporters, like in feudal times, and as they say are completely pointless parisites

[@krishnavyas313]

​@@carlasowie5978 he was not german by Nationality but he was German by blood. His paternal family name schleswig holstein and sondersberg and Glucksberg. His maternal family name is battenberg. His sisters were married to German princes and Philip also went to German boarding school for few semester. He spoke fluent German, French and English. He said his family started speaking in German and then some started speaking in French in middle of the conversation and some other person answered it in English or German 😅

[@robbierobt]

Let alone the art of interviewing, lost today.

[@magentacyan6086]

Interestingly his German has a small Austrian touch. Like the narrator says, he had the acquaintance of viennese bankers.

[@chislehurstbat]

Sounded more like Swabian to me, Mannheim.

[@deroechterer5124]

I didn't know that the former King Edward could speak german very well.

[@jcmontecarlo6123]

Absolut fantastisch.

[@fareast_de]

Though he wasn´t a native speaker, HRH got an excellent German prononciation, and we all know that it is not easy to learn this language. Greets from GER, U.

[@HarryPost-o9c]

Actually, although not technically a native of Germany, German would have been every bit as much his first language as English was.

[@malcolmabram2957]

I can speak German, I learnt it out of interest. I find that speaking a language connects one with the country of source. I feel somewhat Germanic, though am English. I am not surprised that he can be considered to be a traitor, if Andrew Lownie is to be believed (and I have no reason to question the credibility of his integrity). I understand this was the real reason why he was 'forced' to abdicate.

[@andrewhoward7200]

Good Lord no, not a traitor. He was impressed by Hitler's astonishing transformation of Germany, particularly compared with moribund Britain and was openly critical of the plight of Britain's poor. Unfortunately for both him and Britain it was more Amor vincit than Ich Dien.

[@monichat]

German is a beautiful language - wish I could speak German

[@vanessaeden8174]

@@monichat The language of War

[@monichat]

@@vanessaeden8174 I also love Germany and the German people

[@mark-x8w8r]

Easiest for english to learn apparently

[@rhuxley5130]

This is incredible.

[@waltertomashefsky2682]

He speaks pretty good German for a British King. Of course, so didn’t his great great great great grandfather George I.

[@kurtgodel5236]

didn't?

[@mego9293]

Schade, dass er kaum zu Wort kommt. Er ist doch die wichtige Person!!

[@nightwish1000]

Der Reporter, Herr Troller, hört sich eben am liebsten selbst reden und "philosophieren". Narzisstische Züge hört man raus

[@ed9763]

Wow he speaks German👍

[@cocinairisgrancanariasanag3498]

Und das außerordentlich gut. Bin beeindruckt.

[@boadiccea1]

@@cocinairisgrancanariasanag3498 He WAS German!

[@justice-jb5ld]

It’s not a surprise that he was able to speak German so well, after all he was German.

[@in9597]

He could have it all, but he choose something different

[@michelles2299]

He chose not to do much at all but lived in luxury

[@ritahorvath8207]

He didn't like the kings job and he wanted Wallis. .

[@in9597]

@@michelles2299 he choose) if you say so )

[@in9597]

@@ritahorvath8207 of course. He also did want to be important and have kid's. What losers want that shit ?

[@robertbennett7731]

@@in9597 Neither the Duke, nor the Duchess were able to have children.

[@Indylimburg]

He was perfectly cast in The Crown.

[@petraschwingeler9688]

E II son Edward said that he lived in Exile and was not allowed to live in UK permanently.

[@jorgealmeyda5222]

Der Konig!

[@green-browneyes5524]

Zum Glück nicht

[@HansBerger-m3d]

Wo?

[@katinka6137]

Ich vermute, dass „beide Könige“ eher schüchterne Männer waren. Vielleicht sind die Frauen etwas dominanter gewesen…? Die Abdankung war das richtige Signal … auch an England. Etwas nebensächliches fällt mir zu dem Interview noch auf : Heute würde es keinen König geben, der so angegriffene Zähne hat …

[@willibeckenlehner443]

Very nice and sweet!

[@volkergluth3428]

A great person he was, indeed.

[@cd3694]

Really? He was a Nazi sympathizer, and wouldn’t even perform the one and only job he was born to. Instead he and his wife lived on the royal dole. Of course he speaks German, he used it while he was cozying up to Hitler.

[@moveslikemacca]

3:37 "ein bissl" 😁

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

Niedlich. 😊

[@magentacyan6086]

Der Einfluss seiner österreichischen Umgebung.

[@SusanneWuthrich-d3j]

Ihn hat man eliminiert, nachdem er Freund mit Hitler wurde. Und sie hat man als Grund genommen!

[@frankk.777]

Ein sympathischer Mensch

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

Ein Charmeur. 😉

[@JohnKirwan-zp5fl]

Prince Philip was of the House of Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glucksburg (Oldenburg) not a Coburg. Danish royal house. His ancestor became King of Greece.

[@petesmith9472]

Have you ever heard an interviewer ask such long questions?

[@ruhri0411]

That's right, the questions were also asked in very sophisticated German, which can only be understood by someone who really knows the language very well.

[@paulcurran1139]

Ich hatte keine Ahnung das er so fliessend deutsch sprechen konnte

[@ikarus30449]

dass

[@MeMyself-jz9ms]

“The heir to the throne mustn’t interfere with political issue.” Ha!😦

[@darrindlc9513]

Where are the subtitles?

[@ABC_DEF]

He spends much of the interview fretting that the interviewer is not following the script that has been agreed in advance. A bit pathetic.

[@spaghettiking7312]

I love the robotic German narrator.

[@camillechang7120]

What is he saying

[@jackiecharlie8798]

The subtitles can be turned on for the translation

[@magentacyan6086]

He speaks German very well, but not like a native speaker. There's grammar mistakes, some English words, a strong foreign accent and the interviewer has to speak very slowly. So this man is definitely more British than German for sure.

[@Opa_Winfried]

Aber er antwortet fast ausschließlich auf Deutsch, selbst wenn die Frage auf Englisch gestellt wurde. Das ist ungewöhnlich. Auf alle Fälle ein sehr interessantes Zeitdokument.

[@wilhelm-z4t]

Well, he's also elderly and in ill-health. Also out of practice, I would assume. When he was a younger man, I suspect he was more fluent.

[@ThomasErismann]

Die Liebe war stärker.

[@tobiasstoll4715]

germans speaking german what a suprise king charles ist the first one who didnt marry a german their lastname ist saxe-gotha-coburg... just in case u guys didnt notice but your saxons...

[@archstanton9182]

He spoke surprisingly good German, but with some words, like 'reden' he had an English 'r'. He must have spent some time living in Germany.

[@boadiccea1]

He was German! his whole family spoke German when in private [when the servants were not around their private family time]

[@VenusEvan_1885]

He pronounces the letter r like Bavarians, in German the letter r sounds exactly like the French r , but not in all 16 states of Germany.

[@magentacyan6086]

​@@VenusEvan_1885Like the narrator mentions at one point he had the acquaintance of Viennese bankers. That's their influence, since they spoke Austrian German.

[@carlosmpsenyorcapitacollon6977]

Germans, how do you rate his accent?

[@mego9293]

Er spricht Muttersprache deutsch. Man merkt, er hat es als kleines Kind gelernt und immer gesprochen. Er versteht jedes Wort. Er spricht mit leichten englischen Akzent. Absolut perfekt

[@misslovejoy1665]

@@mego9293 Das ist doch ein ziemlich starker Akzent, der redet wie Ross Anthony. Keineswegs Muttersprache mit so einem fetten Akzent.

[@misslovejoy1665]

Quite good but a strong English accent and not the best grammar. Prince Philip only had a very slight accent and much better grammar use.

[@heroicflawzyt3610]

@@mego9293 he was king of England

[@misslovejoy1665]

@Frau Lisa Die Frage von einem interessierten Nicht-Deutschen war hier die Bewertung des Akzents. Die 1. Antwort hierzu war, da wäre kein Akzent und er klänge wie ein Muttersprachler, was meiner Ansicht nach nicht völlig der Wahrheit entspricht (ein Akzent ist doch recht stark zu hören). Natürlich entwickelt man auf die Dauer in einem anderen Land und dem täglichen Gebrauch einer anderen Sprache einen Akzent, aber meist doch nicht so stark und außerdem WAR der Herzog von Windsor kein Muttersprachler. Seine Muttersprache war Englisch und er hat irgendwann mal Deutsch gelernt (sein eigener Vater konnte keine einzige Fremdsprache und seine Mutter hatte zwar deutsche Vorfahren, aber nur der Vater - Franz von Teck, ein Österreicher -, sprach auch Deutsch). Ich finde es nicht so cool, Leute, die ernsthafte Fragen stellen, so zu verwirren...

[@DiamondMcNamara]

GEORG STEFAN TROLLER, now 111 Jahre alt!

[@HiYou-tb3os]

Whos scholtz and fuchs kramer

[@julianneheindorf5757]

He does have a slight English accent when speaking German.