Prince Edward Compares Diana to Wallis Simpson, Talks Edward VIII's Alleged Nazi Sympathies (1996)

On 12 April 1996, Prince Edward spoke to ITN's Nicholas Owen about a new documentary produced by the prince's TV production company, Ardent Productions, on the life of King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor. During the conversation, Prince Edward was invited to compare the experience of Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee whom Edward abdicated the throne in order to marry, and Diana, Princess of Wales, who was in the process of divorcing Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The Queen's youngest son spoke of the differences between the cases, highlighting the unique circumstances that the country faced during Edward VIII's abdication crisis of 1936. Edward also discussed the former King's alleged Nazi sympathies, putting the King's views in the context of widespread support for a policy of appeasement, and arguing that he found no evidence of collaboration between the Duke of Windsor and Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime.
#PrinceEdward #KingEdwardVIII #EdwardVIII #Abdication #RoyalFamily #SecondWorldWar #WorldWarII #WorldWar2 #NaziGermany #AdolfHitler #DukeOfWindsor
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[@SeaBreeze2247]

Prince Edward favors his dear mother, especially when she was young, more than any of his siblings.

[@conspiracytheorista8988]

Yes. He's also gross.

[@lynnrogersma79]

This charming, literary, bright and thoughtful son of the late monarch is a delight to hear. I am an author in the SF Bay Area in CA and as a direct granddaughter of William the Conqueror I am a distant cousin so proud to hear him, glad he is working Royal now.

[@lynnrogersma79]

Nice to be even distantly in touch.

[@reeced4360]

Highly educated. Competent. Good guy

[@hornblowingimp8653]

Shame he's a senior Freemason. Despite the church stating you cannot be both. Duke of Kent is chief. My paternal family were Freemasons. But also Free Presbyterian of Scotland. This is dilemma for me.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

@@hornblowingimp8653 The "Spirit" Freemasons worship is Lucifer.

[@VD-iz4nm]

@@hornblowingimp8653 @marysmyth8288 There is no formal barrier preventing a male from being both a member of the Church and a Mason. There are also Christian Masonic Orders: the Red Cross of Constantine, the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of Saint John the Evangelist. Though, I personally think the two shouldn't be mixed together ever.

[@simonanders5676]

Alternatively, self absorbed, unwanted overpaid individual....a guy that has no place in society along with the rest of us....utterly inane

[@LadyShanghai-wj1kh]

He looks & acts so much like his mother.

[@damian-795]

He is nice, he has a nice voice as well.

[@conspiracytheorista8988]

He's a slimeball like the rest of them.

[@gilliandarling9239]

he is very like Anne

[@leemackie8434]

I wish he was still making the program’s I still rewatch them every so often.👏🏼👏🏼💓💕💗🇦🇺

[@BrendaHutchinson-tp5zu]

I really like the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their children. Side-lined for the longest time. Great to see them at last.

[@tonycypriot9401]

Edward VIII and Wallis were more than appeasers towards Nazi Germany, their visits alone revealed something quite cosy between Hitler and the exiled royal couple. Whilst it's true many in the British government wanted to avoid war, appeasers don't however go all out to do a public appearance. Some information with regards to the nazi invasion of France reportedly came from Edward VIII. As for Diana she should of never lost her HRH given it was known at that time in 1996 how much of a target she was and whilst some republican voices may object to that or others generally feel indifferent, she was the mother of the future King whilst continued as a working Royal post divorce with her charitable work and appearances.

[@prismaticmarcus]

to be fair that would've been totally unworkable, considering the possibility (likelihood?) of Charles remarrying

[@JudgeJulieLit]

@@prismaticmarcus King Henry 8 remarried ... five times, e.g., after his divorces from Katharine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves. When did the Anglican Catholic Church revert to the Roman Catholic Church ban of post-divorce marriage to a new spouse?

[@swannoir]

I loved seeing this and don't believe I have before. Thanks for uploading.

[@graceyoakum8863]

I don't know why he quit doing this.I enjoyed it so much. That one episode was perfect.I wish he would have done one Prince Eddie .

[@paulec2634]

Very nice man. Looks so apprehensive at the start but he gives a great interview despite having one headline-seeking question after another thrown at him by the ITN interviewer. Failed fishing expedition!

[@swannoir]

LOL, he really was digging, wasn't he. He wanted a scoop!

[@paulec2634]

@@swannoir Big time. In that process he lost the chance to have a nice natural conversation in which Edward might have felt more inclined to reveal something interesting! I think that guy interviewing was a super newsreader though.

[@THACHICKENSQUAD]

Our local (yes, he's Duke of Edinburgh) is very much a diplomat. It's what he's been *God Save HRH The Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh*

[@marybarrett47]

Edward is elizabeth's best-looking offspring

[@kismit100]

He was stunning as a teenager but I find Ann rather dishy

[@ilovebeinagirl]

@@kismit100 Anne was soooooo pretty when she was young.

[@ngocnguyenkim4646]

Vì anh ấy không phải là sản phẩm của sự “ chiều chuộng thối nát “ .

[@conspiracytheorista8988]

...and that's really sad.

[@marksc111]

Yuck.

[@serenaleigh8418]

A very humble and charming prince.

[@alanjames4991]

The Charming Prince Looked a Bit Rattled Answering Simple Questions...

[@misscoutts6193]

He speaks exactly the same as Anne.

[@gingerroot8906]

His grandmother hated Wallis. She was very jealous of her and did her part in making sure Wallis would not become queen.

[@kathygrosvenor4464]

She was angry that her husband was put under the enormous stress of being King. From the voluminous, historic accounts I’ve studied, Queen Mum was not a particularly good or nice person. She truly thought she was better, above, most people.

[@jeannoden5612]

Absolutely right……

[@staceystitt]

lol…she was never jealous of Wallis. She was angry that The Duke of Windsor didn’t marry a suitable bride to be Queen and because of Wallis, her hubby was required to become King. They never wanted to be the King and Queen.

[@LauraEBendokas]

Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mum was far from jealous of Wallis Simpson! They both disliked Wallis and felt that there were better choices in brides than Wallis. Duty was key back then and divorce was looked down upon then.

[@sissy9393]

She hated her because her husband was forced to become King and the stress probably led to his early grave.

[@IanWelland]

Several points here should be addressed. HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was bitter toward Wallis Simpson for placing George VI and indeed herself in an impossible situation; and blamed Edward and Wallis for the premature death of George VI. The fact that no member of the Royal Family would appear on camera is no surprise. For HRH to say he found no evidence for the Duke of Windsor's treachery is, bluntly, absurd... The Marburg Files (aka The Windsor Files) existence were known to the Royal Family and no doubt a copy or originals lay in the Royal Archives? As for The Duke of Windsor's response to the news that Wallis would never be granted "HRH" status, something that in law, should have been afforded to Wallis as the consort of a "HRH" - this was bitter and disappointing to the Duke of Windsor and there is plenty of evidence to support this - Wallis was entitled to the be known as "HRH" in law and the Duke knew that. The so-called "thaw" that took place during the unveiling of a plaque at Marlborough House, London, to Queen Mary in 1967, was shortlived - I'm sure the Duke hoped it would finally lay to rest all the bitterness and separation, but alas it didn't. Edward VIII longed for Wallis to be known as "HRH"; be accepted by his family; and finally, to return to Fort Belvedere to live out his days - all three were denied to him and Wallis Simpson. Edward's treachery, by the way, is fully told in Andrew Lownie's excellent book, The Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor... In stark contrast, HRH Prince Edward's fild, Whatever Happened to the Windsors, is a sugary telling of parts of the story and a distinct cover-up "papering over the cracks" exercise...

[@Mamabear7388]

I like this man , he’s a man of great character.

[@debrawhite751]

I love this so much! He is so dignified, and time has proven him to be true blue royal all the way through. Sophie and his two children have done him proud. I just love him.

[@monichat]

Me too

[@janroach1852]

England dodged a bullet when King Edward abdicated. His Nazi ties and sypathizing with the Nazis would have meant Hitler would have overrun Europe. Wallace had deep ties to the Nazis as well. King George was the best possible thing that happened to England at this time in history. And Queen Elizabeth the best choice after George.

[@celticwarrior777]

Our royal line comes from Germany.

[@monichat]

Before Hitler got carried away with the power he had (the invasion of Poland), he was admired by many people. But soon after 1939, even the Germans became frightened and regretted having supported him. Too late.

[@stjohnbaby]

The crossing of his arms at the last question speaks volumes.

[@THACHICKENSQUAD]

*What Kind?*

[@monichat]

Prince Edward was very patient - that journalist kept asking tricky and hypothetical questions - the Prince did well, he answered without hesitation but refused to say anyone was ''bitter'' - I agree with Him. What a competent, brilliant (and handsome) Prince - wish He would be King some day

[@swannoir]

Very dignified and intelligent. Cute the way he responded to questions about Sophie, lol.

[@celticwarrior777]

I lovr Sophie and Edward one of the few princes that acted dignified. Sophie has blesses rhe royal family partaking in their work with such dignity.

[@susanamitchell6107]

I like Prince Edward what a nice intelligent man and very logical

[@gjohnston5910]

Prince Edward does not seem to realize that his great uncle should have been charged with treason in the 1940's,

[@monichat]

It is not for Prince Edward to judge his uncle was this or that - the past is behind and I agree with his discretion

[@mirquellasantos2716]

As an American I can tell you that Wallis Simpson was a monster inside and outside. She was also gross-looking. Diana was an angel and super beautiful.

[@dianaclark5658]

Not trying to be mean, and I really have never paid attention to Wallis. I always wonder when people , such as you, make such proclamations like you have done, if you are talking from personal experience . Did you personally know the lady? Every time I read negative statements about this family, I have to wonder….hmmm, did this person know them personally? I do not know you @mirquellasantos2716, so I would NEVER say that you are a monster inside and out, and gross looking. I don’t know you. This is what is wrong with all the “fake” news.

[@wendywhitter2768]

The title is so true , the sympathisers promised to put him back on the throne when they won the war ,and also prom Joe Kennedy, his political career, he so desired.

[@tohsinkhan3895]

He is very diplomatic and smart

[@monichat]

Brilliant - the prize of the RF

[@mizzyroro]

Body language on that "last" question is quite telling.

[@magnacz]

Almost 30 years ago Edward very much the diplomat. There is footage of the young king teaching Elisabeth and Margaret the Hitler salute. So not mentioning any German sympathies is disingenuous. Grandma would have a few things to say about Wallice and the absens of invitations or visits in France over the next 40 years. Being very deffensive and very young here protecting Sophie, that hasnt changed. Much more relaxed about the goldfish bowl these days.

[@MommaKay57]

Wow William looks like his uncle for sure.

[@stephenguppy7882]

He was talking to Nicholas Owen, NOT Michael Nicholson.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

For that preposterous simile, Prince Edward "needs a checkup from the neck up": Wallis was an amoral playgirl/hermaphrodite socioeconomic climber; Princess Diana was a deeply principled humanitarian heterosexual, devoted to humanely raising her children and protecting war zone children from land mines. King Edward VIII after abdication and Wallis were documented Nazi sympathizers who corresponded with Hitler, who offered to restore Edward to rule England as a vassal of the Third Reich. Remedially Prince Edward need read more history.

[@scouser19a]

Exactly 👍

[@cassandra6227]

You are so right. Someone is telling big porkies!! He knows.

[@Pisti846]

Thank goodness he abdicated. George VI and Elizabeth II were what Great Britain need as sovereigns.

[@janethart123]

I like Prince Edward 🤴 he likes to keep his life private

[@alisonboydell7143]

The documentary he is talking about is called Edward on Edward. It was really good .

[@sugarplumk2381]

He wasn’t as relaxed in front of the camera as I would have expected, given his love of acting but that could be the barrier he puts up for the media. The Royals are always very guarded.

[@monichat]

He looked very relaxed to me - I loved the way he answered all questions (even the tricky ones) without hesitation - He is brilliant

[@GeorginaOkpi]

Oh dear! There is a striking resemblance between Prince Edward and Prince William. Blood is really thicker than water.

[@kismit100]

What a thoroughly pointless statement

[@nicolemurphy2629]

Yes because they are family 😂

[@lisica8458]

Edward is the better-looking of the two.

[@clarifyingquestions]

William is the spitting image of Diana.

[@makemesing714]

I agree, and find it so amazing, because as a child, William looked so much more like his mother than the Windors

[@harrietyounger6118]

Very measured in his outlook. He seems like a well rounded person. He seems genuine and pleasant.

[@grace-anne5660]

I forgot how uber protective Edward was of Sophie to the media in the 90s (and this is very evident in this interview), his guard has lessoned over the years.

[@MM-yi9zn]

Megan & Harry are much more like Edward & Wallis!

[@rochelletrammell2586]

One thing I can say is his mom has some handsome sons 💜 WOW

[@bellabowden1967]

Edward doesn't know when it comes to Edward the 8 why because his mother was meant to be Queen that was a soul contract for king George to take that throne and and wallace Simpson could not have children

[@lauramason5667]

I’m a big fan of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie and their children. I do find it questionable that he is unwilling to bring up the fact that Edward was a Nazi sympathizer meeting with Hitler. Like Edward was just some great guy. Who loved a woman. That’s not the whole story.

[@wendyfield7708]

Which film/programme are they talking about?

[@annfisher3316]

Edward on Edward

[@cagirl2220]

He has such a nice voice and accent.

[@monichat]

Wish North Americans spoke English with this accent. So refined and dignified

[@juneweyman8482]

EDWARD AND SOPHIE LOVELY COUPLE BROUGHT IP LOVELY SON AND DAUGHTER, HOWEVER, IT WOULD BEEN NICE IF EDWARD HAD TAKEN TO SOME SORT OF MILITARY REGIMENT, I THINK HE WOULD LIKED TO BE A ACTOR EVEN SO HE BEEN A RESPECTED PRINCE AND VERY POLITE. GOOD MAN

[@yani.e]

He is the only one out of the siblings that looks like Queen Elisabeth.

[@harrietyounger6118]

Anyone else think the prince of Wales looks like his uncle the Duke of Edinburgh?

[@joeymatthysen5105]

And so the wheel really turns.

[@celticwarrior777]

Markle is wallis simpson reincarnated

[@monichat]

NO, it was rather diana

[@dsoule4902]

Adolf was fighting communists.

[@monichat]

Europeans were happy when Adolf invaded USSR - when they realized Red Army was beating Germans, they at last got into the war in Normandy in June 1944 - About time - meanwhile 30 million Russians died - USSR won WW2

[@rebeccagilstrap3507]

Why couldnt the interviewer stay on the subject and stop trying to bring those past circumstances into present circumstances.

[@philstrachan]

Wallis was a weasal.

[@user-fx5sq1zc6l]

Said the right things…

[@berniekennedy9793]

His Da all over the back💯💯💯💯

[@BrendaHutchinson-tp5zu]

At least has an interest and knowledge of his heritage. Unlike some in of the Royals.

[@MonarchButterfly.]

He was so charming when he was young

[@alexandradane3672]

The Prince Edward is fine man .

[@bonniemagpie9960]

King Edward Vlllth marriage to Wallis Simpson was extremely destructive. She was nasty towards him. Edward could not escape Gemini's, his father, his mother then Wallis Simpson then he dies under the constellation of Gemini calling out for Wallis on his death bed and she ignores him.

[@ianport2185]

What a car crash of an interview: a mere nothing by someone who knew nothing, tempered by defensiveness

[@mochalattemiss]

And now your Brother has also married a divorcee, as he is too. And the country has not fallen into a hole…or has it?

[@brendankelly1384]

❤i fell inlove with all of your families ❤ i know its true ❤

[@MT-lo7dt]

😂😂😂😂

[@mattieb7348]

He said the tragedy was not the abdication but the way the family treated Edward VIII after he abdicated...it tore the family apart. History does indeed repeat itself and obviously, the family has not learned from their mistakes. Harry was never going to be king but the way he has been treated by his family, would make one think he was the reincarnation of Edward VIII. Another family tragedy.

[@BrendaHutchinson-tp5zu]

No Edward was a King who abdicated. Henry is a wanna be King who isn't and will never be. Edward and Wallis sidled off into relative obscurity. Henry and Rachel haven't unfortunately.

[@mattieb7348]

@@BrendaHutchinson-tp5zu Thank you for your response but I feel you have overlooked a few things when comparing the two men...and, you did not mention the generational family shaming within the royal family system which is what Prince Edward was addressing in this interview. Firstly, when King Edward abdicated, as part of his "separation package" he received enough wealth for him and his wife to live very well on without having to look for work to support their way of life. When Harry left the UK as a working royal, he left with his wife and child, paid back what they had used in their short time in the family, and built a new life for his family in America. Harry wanted out of the royal family long before he met Meghan. Charles' indifference to the way Harry, Meghan, Archie and now Lilibet are treated by the British media and The Firm is frightening and shameful. Edward and Wallis did not slide off into obscurity. They were followed / stalked for the rest of their lives. If this had happened to them today, in a world full of social and anti-social media, they too would be lynched everyday in the tabloids. Harry and Meghan are not taking any money from the taxpayers. They have their own businesses and charitible interests. It is the British media who won't leave them alone. Every person they know, everything they touch, everytime they attempt to be their own selves is torn apart by the UK tabloids. Hating Harry and Meghan is a billion dollar industry. There are people who make a living doing it. Now, that is worse than shameful; it is evil. Peace.

[@ngocnguyenkim4646]

Mấy thằng gây ra lỗi lại cứ muốn được tha thứ sau khi nó được thỏa mãn .chúa không cho bài học đón đứa con phản bội ,bất hiếu .

[@essexitagermeng5504]

@@mattieb7348are you talking about the shameful grifters who betrayed their own families and country, telling lies and biting the hand that fed them? Those 2 who want to live off their royal titles, selling their connection to the RF despite trying to destroy such RF and hurting their own families so badly? Those 2 who like to preach to all of us while taking private jets frequently and not doing a real job to earn their super luxurious self-centred selfish and lazy life?

[@essexitagermeng5504]

My previous comment was taken down, so probably this one will be taken down too (harklesmafia). Are you talking about the grifters who live a selfish lazy luxurious life off the UK taxpayers and the RF, which they tried to destroy? As for the press, that one has been atrocious against our beautiful classy Princess of Wales up until recently, and too supportive of the old yacht girl who married out for the money and prestige and has been allowed to easily get away with all her lies, even with hiding the alleged children and when those were born. So many lies surrounding the grifters!

[@jeannoden5612]

What a load of rubbish he talks…..what the hell does he know….he’s very good at skipping over the truth…of course the queen mother was bitter…..he’s a prat…..

[@catlover4700]

I like him, but he's doing damage control. To deny Nazi sympathy is outrageous. Edward & Wallis were in Germany in the height of the Nazi regime . It was appalling seeing Hitler kiss Wallis' hand. His grandmother was right to dislike her and he should back it up.

[@monichat]

It is OK to respect your grandmother

[@wmr9019]

What was the big problem as RF ARE German themselves

[@celticwarrior777]

We were german 700 years ago

[@maureennewman905]

I wasn’t 🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@faystalker9851]

If Edward hadnt. Married wallis his mum wouldnt been queen. Also edward loved her is brother married someone that he and was in love with Camille and he was able married her

[@susanjaneturner]

I really see Prince William in his Uncle Edward!

[@lennymac5915]

Idk

[@carolinedecastro4171]

The grand mother was very much against her so was the queen. The royal family did not approve of Wallis. God chooses kings and queens. Thank goodness he never became king.

[@sugarplumk2381]

God does not choose kings and queens.

[@History_with_Huw]

No she wasn’t. This is tabloid fodder. The Queen Mother lived in age of deference and class. People who were divorced were regarded as loose moralled and that meant they weren’t welcomed into polite society. Wallis was also non titled (which meant she was lower down the pecking order). The Queen Mother couldn’t (by custom) reach out to her because it wasn’t the done thing. The equivalent today would be inviting a prostitute to Buckingham Palace - that’s how divorcees were seen back then (very much on the same level). It didn’t mean The Queen Mother hated her, she just wasn’t allowed to embrace her. You have to remember she was The Duchess of York back then. As for saying The Queen hated her, it’s because of The Queen that she and her husband were acknowledged at all….

[@theresachilimidos3230]

He loved Diana secretly.. his wife looks just like her js

[@monichat]

I hope not - diana was not as lovable as you imagine

[@brendankelly1384]

💓 i did wish as a child that you would live me 💓

[@brendankelly1384]

💓 love me 💓

[@brendankelly1384]

💓@s I wanted a real Prince of something special 💓

[@brendankelly1384]

💓 I didn't dare say only too Waiii about my feelings 💓

[@brendankelly1384]

💓 She said sweetheart s 💕 he's really busy & your still only drinking frefigerated iced scheme water s there know Calcium s in drinking you're selves 💓

[@brendankelly1384]

💓 perhaps you go for a cannta bare back my darling sweethearts 💓

[@Kiinell]

Clickbait

[@linaburon5672]

They beleve that they are very SPECIAL UNIQUE but they are just like you and me but with a lot of mony

[@mariotato8345]

He,s trying to put rubbish in Diana to help the madhead of his eldest brother . Funny that his brother finish marrying a divorce woman with children , same thing that the uncle of her mother was trying to do but wasnt allowed

[@user-rq2sf1of9z]

bulusiti

[@youarewhatyouare]

He's mistaken it's harry and Megan

[@suehart919]

This was done well before Harry & Meghan.

[@youarewhatyouare]

@suehart919 oh have I put my foot in it (again)

[@elvisminott580]

Looking back and seeing what happening today, Hypocrite.