Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII: The Marriage that Changed History

On the 11th of December 1936, a man spoke on the BBC. Millions of listeners held their breath as he announced his resolve to go forward with a decision which was, and remains, unique in British history: his abdication to the throne. That man was Edward VIII. The reason behind his abdication was his love for a woman that the British Court and the establishment would have never accepted as a Queen: the American, twice divorced, Wallis Simpson.
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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Arnaldo Teodorani
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Other Biographics Videos:
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Source/Further reading:
biography.yourdictionary.com/...
www.ctvnews.ca/world/there-is...
www.theguardian.com/books/201...
www.theguardian.com/books/201...
www.historyplace.com/speeches/...
www.ctvnews.ca/world/there-is...
www.theguardian.com/books/201...

[@faithbarcelo4795]

I've always found it odd how the Church of England was so squeamish about divorce and remarriage(especially with regards to previous spouses being still alive) when it was created, quite literally, for that purpose🤔

[@MarielaQue]

Great point

[@christineparis5607]

That's why. It was created for that purpose, but no one was supposed to acknowledge that. No one using it that way again would somehow whitewash the original reason....stunning hypocrisy at it's most blatant...

[@ruedaphoebe]

At the time the monarchy's reputation was very much at risk. British monarchy flourished because of people's love and approval. Without this, the monarchy was at risk of being abolished much like other monarchies at that time after WW1 i.e. Russia (their cousins actually). So they were super into not creating any sort of scandal at that time. Queen Elizabeth II was still like this during her reign because of growing up in this period. Good thing she is more accepting to the reality now compared to how it was before.

[@craigore2011]

Because when the Church was founded the right to divorce only applied to men. Henry dumping his wife, good. His wife dumping Henry, bad. Not a lot changed since then it seems.

[@waverider8549]

Now that's a bloody good point.

[@FiveTwoSevenTHR]

Edward: I love you so much that I abdicated as king and we should get married! Wallis: K

[@septube26]

LMAO!

[@matios83]

I hate those dam k

[@JH-wi2xr]

Iricanado trend k

[@donnacalloway7158]

HA! Good one!

[@jasonolson1593]

😆

[@75smurfette]

"A mutual interest in golf, fascism and casual racism." I guess the couple who's hateful together stays together.

[@dylanthepickle6428]

Hey now, being hateful racists is very bonding.

[@dylanthepickle6428]

It’s like a Folie a deux

[@davewilson4058]

I was a child back then and thankfully we ended up with the better King. He stayed with us through the darkest days of the 1940's and was not enamoured with Adolf Hitler and his gang, as was Edward and Wallis.

[@tweetypie1978]

I just watched another biography that said he might've sent letters to Hitler informing him of British war plans that could've contributed to the fall of France.

[@StevenCampbell1955]

Riiiiiight, married thrice, & numerous affairs but NONE sexual. Excuse me while I claim royal privilege.

[@reneenayfabnaynay5679]

I get what you are saying, and I agree! I don't, for one minute, believe she had these affaires, but they weren't sexual. Please! Why even call them affaires, if nothing sexual was going on? Wouldn't that just be a friendship? RMEs!

[@maryannlockwood7806]

Steven Campbell 🇺🇸one rumor I heard about Wallis is she was either a Hermorphidite or transgender.🇬🇧

[@StevenCampbell1955]

@@fonzacevedo6867 , thank you for correcting that which you perceived to be in error. However you may have missed the point of me, for myself only, claiming to have a royal privilege I alone bear the fault of my obtuseness. On another matter entirely, I wish to assist you with a better set of terms with which to abuse your many followers. please audit the following list for those which you feel are comfortably appopriate. I offer; fool, ass, halfwit, nincompoop, dunce, dolt, ignoramus, cretin, imbecile, dullard, moron, simpleton, clod; informaldope, ninny, chump, dimwit, nitwit, goon, dumbo, dum-dum, dumb-bell, loon, jackass, bonehead, fathead, numbskull, blockhead, dunderhead, chucklehead, knucklehead, muttonhead, pudding-head, thickhead, wooden-head, airhead, pinhead, lamebrain, pea-brain, birdbrain, zombie, jerk, nerd, dipstick, donkey, noodle; informalnit, twit, numpty, clot, plonker, berk, prat, pillock, wally, git, wazzock, divvy, nerk, twerp, twonk, charlie, mug, muppet; informalnyaff, balloon, sumph, gowk; informalgobdaw; informalschmuck, bozo, boob, lamer, turkey, schlepper, chowderhead, dumbhead, dummy, goofball, goof, goofus, galoot, dork, lummox, klutz, putz, schlemiel, sap, gink, cluck, clunk, ding-dong, dingbat, wiener, weeny, dip, simp, spud, coot, palooka, poop, squarehead, yo-yo, dingleberry; informalwing nut; informaldrongo, dill, alec, galah, nong, bogan, poon, boofhead; informalmompara; vulgar slangknobhead; vulgar slangasshat; archaictomfool, noddy, clodpole, loggerhead, spoony, mooncalf. Wrap yourself in as many as you feel fitting. Cheers Steven, The idle idiot.

[@leenycallahankhan6966]

@@StevenCampbell1955 Well played, sir. 😂

[@sarahcoleman5269]

While I agree with you that she could have been lying about all of that. I find it a bit weird that you would lie about not having sex with your spouse, which would have been perfectly acceptable. Yes, she could have been trying to convince people that if she never had sex with her spouses, then she had never quite been officially married to them? But also, this is stuff she was revealing years later in a biography. Another option is that she could have been asexual. She also could have been pan- or bi-romantic, as she seemed to be attracted to men and women as a young woman. Or, being an era where women were expected to fall in love and get married, especially women in high society, she could have been forcing herself to accept relationships. That's kind of what it sounded like with her marriage to Edward, he was a nice enough guy, but she didn't really want to marry him. More than anything he sounded emotionally dependant on her.

[@doogandoggin2571]

We should all probably be grateful he abdicated.

[@Knight860]

Definitely, had he defied Baldwin and married Wallis Simpson while staying King, Baldwin would have had to resign and that would of created the worst crisis the Monarchy had faced since Charles I took on Parliament in the English Civil War. Also his "friendship" with Hitler would of seen him forced to abdicate at gunpoint or the total destruction of the Monarchy. I don't know how much stock to put into the Rumors that Wallis was having an affair with Von Ribbentrop (who was Nazi Ambassador to the UK at the time) but given Wallis's "friendly" correspondence with Hilter, Goering and other leading Nazi's before and after the outbreak of war up to their "exile" to the Bahamas it's safe to say that Wallis was attracted to powerful men or men with a lot of power.

[@titan_fx]

I found that Churchill initially supported him during his reign as a king is interesting. Yeah I really feel bad for the duke but again, if Britain didn't participate against Germany what would happened?

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

@@titan_fx well Rotherham wouldn't have happened most likely

[@Knight860]

@@titan_fx Many a historian have asked that, and all that can be said for certain is that history would of been far different than it turned out to be.

[@timvanrijn8239]

​@@Knight860 wait so couldnt that mean he could have you know stopped ww2.

[@beckymcclure6943]

At 17, my mom heard his abdication on the radio. She told me how she thought it was so romantic that he left the throne for the woman he loved. Thanks Simon for another great video.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

a shame he fell for a e-girl

[@dwightschrute900]

Hey! Every guy should fall for an è-girl. Know your role!

[@rubberducky4074]

Except you know the Nazi part

[@jamellfoster6029]

They both are also Nazi sympathizers so that wouldn't have gone well for the 🇬🇧...

[@kb4903]

It’s interesting. Duty or love. Really was lose lose. He should have just carried on privately.

[@sonnyocad287]

Edward's father, George V, had a couple of moments where he almost seemed to predict the future. Relevant to this particular biographic is how he didn't think Edward would do well and that he'd ruin himself within a year of becoming King; he lasted just under 12 months.

[@miriamhavard7621]

Sonny O'Cad maybe his father was a bullying jerk.

[@Fool1000]

George V was a very smart man, he once told the German ambassador in 1931 that if Germany continued at the rate it was going, war was inevitable within 10 years. Although he was strict and tough with his children while they were younger, he began to be fond of his second son, George VI, and was very fond of his granddaughter Elizabeth. He also goes on to say, "I pray to God my eldest son will never marry or have children, and that nothing will come between Bertie (George VI) and Lilibet (Elizabeth II) and the throne."

[@timothycunningham7352]

@@Fool1000 He knew that Albert was the better man of his oldest sons.

[@engilbertramo5899]

A monarchy not a lasted just one yrs .I am highly equipt intelligence a commander in chief a world . I am a professional electrical engineer Princess Nimfa Ramo Putin

[@SussexSquadSpaces]

The establishment didn’t like Edward’s liberal ways and it was a setup for coup. The Archbishop and his brother was part of the coup. The whole “Albert” was a reluctant king is a ruse. Look up a very British coup.

[@ariefraiser140]

He gave up the British crown for a woman who didn't love him? Good god he was the ultumate simp. Good thing for England he didn't get that crown.

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

damn

[@comunistubula4424]

Judging by his opinions on his younger brother dying at 13,it looks like the British subjects dodged a bullet there....

[@kraanz]

Did you hear his speech? The man sounds like a child who's about to cry. Good riddance.

[@kraanz]

@@stanlygirl5951 Lol, perfectly put, my thoughts exactly =D

[@thecreatoristhetruth5623]

She didn't give up anything, it was all planned.

[@VipersTide]

two main errors here, one being Wilhelm II being shown as crown prince when he was kaiser at the time of WWI and the death of George VI when it was actually George V

[@g.r.senterprisevenatorclas7314]

In short the British Royal Family isn't very creative with names.

[@waverider8549]

Oh yes, I'm also here to comment on the Kaiser pic.

[@davidthompson6834]

Bell end

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

Wilhelm II also never took part in any fighting, much less was eager to do so as his birth defect (maimed arm) prevented him from most physical activity and he had a hard time to even learn how to ride. IIRC he never got closer to the front than 20-25 km in an advanced Headquarter. And the WW I mistake is weird, cause it was not even close to his inthronisation in 1888 the so called "three kaiser year" where Wilhelm I and Friedrich III, his grandfather and father respectively both died within 100 days of each other... and fun fact, Victoria was Wilhelm IIs grandmother, her firstborn daughter Victoria (as to "fantasy in naming kids" :D) was his mother, so was a close cousin or uncle to the monarchs following her on the throne...

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

@@g.r.senterprisevenatorclas7314 dynasties rarely are... even the popes that usually are not blood related, choose from mostly a number of names that reach 15 or 20 users by now...

[@Kerriangel]

1936: You can't marry a divorced American commoner! 2018: *Meghan Markle has entered the chat*

[@billdavis7577]

Yea, but Meghan isn’t going to be the queen.

[@annaturba]

Kerri Angel Harry won’t be King though, I think that plays a role, too.

[@AndriaBieberDesigns]

but dont they seem an exact repeat...

[@KimTaura]

She's also British, whereas Wallis is American.

[@PreppyAnglican]

Kim Taura The Duchess Of Sussex was born in Los Angeles, California.

[@tommcdonald1873]

Wallis was playing a game and then the game got serious and the future King fell in love with her.

[@PaulWallis]

Think that's about the size of it!

[@eurovision50]

1919: It didn't turn into sex, it was just a relationship. 2019: It didn't turn into a relationship, it was just sex.

[@craigore2011]

Latex Condoms and the Birth Control Pill fell somewhere in between...

[@hannahskipper2764]

That's a good point!

[@3EBstudio]

moral is .. Vagina is powerful

[@itsblitz4437]

Funny times can change.

[@janismarierawlins8805]

Jeremy Kirkpatrick it's possible Camilla and Walis were related they both had an a uncanny sexual deviant personality where men were concerned and could perform sex acts that drove these two Royals mad an unable to perform their royal duties!

[@bobbybobberson9349]

Wallis Simpson, the world's most frigid woman and Edward, the world's most incompetent and gullible would-be king.

[@itarry4]

And probably gay. He had a few same sex scandals while his dad was alive including being in a gay brothel. Obviously still illegal back then so Wallis may have suited him very well.

[@joshkusiak7613]

bobby bobberson he was king

[@davidpar2]

Nick Tarry I thought that was the Duke of Kent

[@tiffanysanchez9184]

All this could also be said of the Duke Of Windsor’s great great nephew and wife… She ie Miss Markle is the worlds most frigid social climber and he ie Harry is an incompetent dimwit with no balls since they are in his wife’s handbag… but thankfully he was the spare and not the heir.

[@SuperLusername]

-0.10% weekly national unity

[@whiteoctober4582]

Stability*

[@Bahns007]

HOI4 👌

[@skyboy4341]

*The cabinet is right he shud abdicate* *Compromise on a royal marriage* *insist on a marriage*

[@OzzieTheHead]

A man of culture I see

[@swigo]

Y’all mind if I... E S T A B L I S H A B S O L U T E M O N A R C H Y?

[@CuteDwarf11]

If Edward VIII had not abdicated the throne, Great Britain might have fallen to the Nazis despite Winston Churchill's fight to protect the British Isles. When I was younger, I was absolutely in love with the story of how Edward VIII abdicated for love, but after watching today's video, I was very disappointed. Edward VIII abdicated the throne for a woman who didn't love him, and I think he must have realized it too late. Yet, he held on until the very end because he loved her, and hoped she would learn to love him too; it was really sad that she wasn't beside him when he died while he called for her. Of all the mistakes he'd made in life, loving her was the worst.

[@caligulalonghbottom2629]

no it wouldnt have... the king had literally nothing to do with war plans and strategy

[@CuteDwarf11]

@@caligulalonghbottom2629 Considering how he supported Hitler, Nazi Germany would have had him around their thumb.

[@CuteDwarf11]

@@semiramisbonaparte1627 How would it have been GREAT with England falling to the Nazis?

[@YardenJZ]

@@caligulalonghbottom2629 The Monarch basically has unlimited power that is just not being put to use. Had Edward stayed on the throne, he could have just given Hitler the entire commonwealth. The only way out for the people would be a revolt, which in this case would mean a revolt against Hitler. We all know how those went. Had Edward not abdicated, there may would not have been a battle of Britain.

[@AnaAna-oz1tn]

Qqqqqqqq

[@peglegpeete9122]

Wallis Simpson. the woman who saved the Monarchy :)

[@davidkugel]

Simpson did in an indirect way. Elizabeth II has been a great queen.

[@susansinsua5583]

It seems that his 'apparatus ' was inadequate which was probably very convenient for both of them.

[@granny58]

@@susansinsua5583 seems like she didn't like any male apparatus.

[@AgentOroko]

Only for Prince Charles to be the idiot that will probably bring it down after the Queen dies.

[@mijalakis3]

@@davidkugel but Edward the VIII didn't have children so technically Elizabeth would've still ended up being queen just a bit later than expected and maybe her father would've lived longer too.

[@metamorsofi4442]

Everyone seemed to be the love of her life except poor Edward.

[@trawlins396]

Exactly lol

[@SamLemont]

Wallis: "I was with all these men, but never had sex with them" me: *doubt*

[@cathylanders2479]

why

[@tweetypie1978]

Every film and documentary I've watched says he was bonking her for ages. She was his mistress!

[@user-bj3jn1sq7y]

@@tweetypie1978 it sounds like it stopped when they got married 😟

[@hawaiianr6]

You guys got it wrong. You Accidentally said "In 1936 George VI passed away." No George VI passed in 1952 In 1936 George V passed away and Edward Became King

[@theodorebricker7492]

He is quite correct. His brother Albert took the regnal name George VI to promote continuity and honor his father.

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

@@theodorebricker7492 No he said George VI passed away in 1936, which is incorrect.

[@theodorebricker7492]

@@Eric_Hutton.1980 I meant to say that he (as in the original commentor) is correct. Sorry if that's confusing.

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

@Robert Mead yes

[@vince8901]

But he then said George VI came after edward, so he just misspoke.

[@Julia-cp9nt]

he loved her and she didn’t love him. that’s what i got out of this

[@dwightschrute900]

The poor man just wanted her love . Much respects

[@loraxdavewalters2696]

I would do anything for love, but I won't do that. 💖

[@christineparis5607]

Who would have thought that Meatloaf would best every relationship therapist in the world, and make it danceable!

[@ehrldawg]

LOL !!

[@mikaelleonbriones6356]

Like for real?, but thank god he did it, otherwise we would have seen a Pro Nazi King

[@ritawilliams8686]

No knows what they would do, just think you know what they would do.

[@catherineervin2630]

Finally!!!! I know what it is he won't do! Thank you kind soul, this question has been driving me mad for years. 😉

[@kristinapella]

If prince didn't abdicate, you'd be speaking German right now

[@joshkusiak7613]

Kristina Pepin no you wouldn’t

[@lorenzocalvin8227]

Ich brauche ihn nicht um Deutsch zu sprechen

[@kristinapella]

@@lorenzocalvin8227 I don't understand...

[@paulwaswalrus5956]

Ich spreche gerade Deutsch lol

[@Enkidone]

It is almost sad that the best thing that can be said of Edward VIII is that he wasn't the worst King we ever had.

[@1sexymary]

Does anyone really believe she wasn't sleeping with all these men

[@babs66]

@ rumour has it she was intersex

[@babs66]

Surely if her first 2 marriages weren't consumated she could have had them annulled then she wouldn't have been a divorcee. Problem solved. Letters have shown how she still loved Simpson or at least their life together for many years after she married the Duke. So I can't believe she had affairs with these other two aswell.

[@noramero2955]

Right!!!!!!

[@mangot589]

Babs 66 well, maybe, maybe not, never was proven. Whatever she was, it didn’t bother HIM. Maybe he was ‘confused”, too, sorry don’t know which word to use now, there are so many🤷‍♀️, but either way, they seemed to fit each other. Who knows what makes love? They stayed together until the end.

[@septube26]

She may have been a lesbian.

[@archstanton6102]

You should do Edward and George's brother Prince George Duke of Kent. He died in a plane crash in WW2 and was reportedly gay. Lots of mystery and speculation about his life and death.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

There is speculation that he and Noel Coward had been lovers.

[@OzzieTheHead]

"Interest in golf, fascism and casual racism" sounds strikingly familiar

[@surlygirly1926]

🙌

[@KelgorothTheFinalShape]

Reminds me of a certain orange

[@deprogramm]

Ozan Akyıldız orange man bad!

[@SymphonyBrahms]

@@deprogramm Orange man very bad!

[@VeracityLH]

"You have no idea how hard it is to live out a great romance." -- Wallis Simpson

[@trawlins396]

I believe that. She always seemed miserable. Imagine having to constantly keep that man happy and content?? No thx!

[@jamesfracasse8178]

Diana: hold my glass 🍷🥂🎉!

[@qmydee1481]

I have heard their story several times but you sir shared untold parts. Great work. Thank you.

[@crocsqueen1474]

It's interesting. Elizabeth II would still have ended up as queen because her uncle was unable to have children and the crown would have passed down to her anyway.

[@DarylReeceJames]

With a little help from Edward VIII, Elizabeth II made it to her Platinum jubilee. She would have died on her Golden jubilee instead if she took the crown in 1972

[@Hammerhead547]

That letter he sent to his mother after john died was so shocking that his father is said too have erupted into one his famous hanoverian rages during which he screamed himself hoarse shouting "how could I have a son who could say such callous wicked things to his own mother about a beloved son and brother while she is grieving his loss" after he read it.

[@moohunter9109]

Love biographies, my favourite channel. Always well presented and informative. Thanks for all the hard work xx

[@alannashaw]

I’m a royal junkie and LOVE videos on the Royal family, keep em up :)

[@alannashaw]

David Lamm I will, thanks!!

[@alannashaw]

Theodore Macewko I don’t know much about the romanovs but i want to learn more!

[@del.see.oh.89]

For whatever reason I've watched 2 documentaries on King Edward this month but will still watch this on my commute.

[@rebecca5544]

I had no idea about this story! thank you for sharing 😊💕

[@TheGhostRonin]

Just watched The King's Speech for the first time, this is perfect timing!

[@Espen.Johannesen]

Have you watched the crown ?

[@marquisdelafayette1929]

Edward was in France just before the Nazis invaded. Right beforehand he took a “tour” of Frances defenses. Military historians say all simulations had France winning.. unless maybe someone high up gave the Nazis information on their defenses. Right afterwards Churchill forced him to go to the Bahamas for the rest of the war. The German ambassador in The Hague said he leaked the Allied war plans for Belgium and France.

[@carolynbrown8209]

😮

[@DetroitLives313]

Wallis was never beautiful in my opinion. Rather homely looking.

[@xbjrrtc]

She was very thin, though, and Edward liked thin women. He was also obsessive about his own weight.

[@koketso0054]

She was handsome

[@miriamhavard7621]

She was good-looking many women in their set were QUITE homely.

[@therealhousewifeofballtown]

She made up for it by dressing impeccably and always looking well put together . She had style

[@blondie944]

Been waiting FOR AGES for you to do a video on Edward VII!! Thank you so much!! 💓❤️❤️❤️

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

did you write VII or VIII? The seventh was Victoria's son and Father of George "the fifth", Ed the eighth was George V's son and George VI's brother (Elizabeth IIs uncle)

[@jmbrownell9]

All I can say is WOW! 👍👍 Thanks Biographics for another great video! 😃😃

[@greentree68]

Thank you so much! Finally it’s here!

[@countmein33]

I was hoping to hear that they at least enjoyed love and companionship after their marriage. What a heartbreaker.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

he fell for the proto e girl meme RIP

[@jolymac]

She treated him terribly.

[@miriamhavard7621]

It's just hearsay.

[@countmein33]

@@miriamhavard7621 What's hearsay? Everything I've ever read or heard about their marriage was that it wasn't the fairy tale the world expected.

[@jolymac]

@Miriam Havard There is a lot of information out there about how badly she treated him privately. You just need to hear about how, when he was in bed dying, she rarely, if ever went to see him. And he died with only a nurse with him.

[@Flyingcarpets78]

Long overdue!!! Thank you.

[@brentgranger7856]

What an amazing story King George VI had with his struggle to overcome his speech impediment, marry the woman he loved, and lead his kingdom in one of its darkest moments in history and be the king Great Britain needed rather than his brother. If it was worthy of a great film that won a Best Picture Oscar, then his story is worth a Biographics video!

[@zappawench6048]

Yes! I've been really interested in their story recently, I couldn't tell you why!

[@babs66]

Me too. It was Dukes 125th Birthday recently so if you watch one thing eg birth of Baby sussex KZbin etc will send you related content.

[@kevinkennedyquandt4440]

Very interesting video thanks for sharing great work

[@michaelhurley3171]

I can certainly approve of his marriage and personal life, but not being a Nazi sympathizer.

[@adriannab.2887]

I just finished the Crown, i was hoping you'd do this! awesome!

[@emmaherron5121]

adrianna b. I guess you’re excited for season 3!

[@adriannab.2887]

@@emmaherron5121VERY much so!

[@gabrielacard7050]

adrianna b. I gotta start watching it . I’ve just seen clips of the show on KZbin.

[@adriannab.2887]

@@gabrielacard7050 It's worth it! i was hooked! season 3 is in november :)

[@RickReasonnz]

Edward's actor was incredible in it too. So insufferable, so self-righteous, so punchable!

[@BigHenFor]

"Viscountess" is pronounced 'vi-countess' with a long I.

[@harryflashman9495]

BigHenFor and silent s

[@jennifercordova7229]

Glad I'm not the only one who caught that.

[@Theturtleowl]

I think the scenes from The Crown are very telling about this mans later life.

[@surlygirly1926]

Yes ... and the ongoing enmity of the royal family.

[@tonichan89]

It’s weird how The Crown really played into the two being madly in love though.

[@dominikheiderer9161]

Great post! 👊🏻

[@AngelicaRodriguez-mb2ld]

Oh wow. I didn't know how big of a shmuck Edward was --- I legit thought Wallis has wanted to be with him but he pulled the ultimate dudebro move of 'I gave up a throne for you, you can't friendzone me'. Wild.

[@theeNappy]

The CofE not allowing divorced people to remarry is the height of hypocrisy.

[@P3891]

In this case it was a good thing because Wallis didn’t deserve to be Queen 😂

[@SymphonyBrahms]

They actually didn't allow divorced people to marry, but they allowed annulments. Henry VIII didn't get a divorce. He got an annulment. The Catholic Church also allows annulments.

[@trawlins396]

Edward was a dolt but he was GORGEOUS when he was young.

[@Jude74]

Fun fact Thelma was the twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilts mother.

[@guardian_ironworks]

This channel is absolutely the most entertaining I found in quite some time. So much enthralling information readily accessible. Please keep up this great work.

[@jebragel4579]

She was still in love with Ernest Simpson. There are letters to prove it in a documentary about this

[@miriamhavard7621]

jebragel4579 crisp, clean new-looking letters. Ok.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

@@miriamhavard7621 You don't know that.

[@territ7952]

Wallis was also very brutal with her comments about Elizabeth’s mother. Calling her horrid names.

[@mirnacudiczgela1963]

You mean the late Queen Mother, the wife of King George, Edward's brother?

[@miriamhavard7621]

George's wife wanted to marry Edward originally, but he wasn't interested so she married George. So l suppose they didn't like each other.

[@therealhousewifeofballtown]

She called her Cookie because she was plump but I don’t recall her ever calling her any horrid names . I do recall reading that Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother prevented Wallis Simpson from ever formally being addressed as HRH . It was unheard of at the time for a woman not to receive fully her husbands titles upon marriage .

[@a.jlondon9947]

@@therealhousewifeofballtown She called her "cookie" because there was a rumour that the Queen Consort was the biological daughter of Claude & Cecilia's housekeeper.

[@therealhousewifeofballtown]

@@a.jlondon9947 that is incorrect . This is a direct quote from HRH Duke of Windsor “ she’s fat , she’s common , she looks like a cook “

[@audrey93ify]

YAAAAAAAS Finally a juicy one!

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

English King on Death Bed: "Wallace, Wallace, coughmelgibson"

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

Good thing he abdicated especially given many of the things he said during the war

[@patbowman6723]

This is a long and complicated story to put it in such a short bio. Well done .

[@basilodira4423]

Thank you very much for This

[@glenncheatham1320]

Very interesting video!!! Thx!!

[@reythejediladyviajakku6078]

“I’m gonna stop being king now. Be nice to me little brother.”

[@moistgoat8170]

gives up the throne of the most powerful empire in the world for her, still wants the old bf, its like a fancier version of Deniro's relationship in Casino.

[@caligulalonghbottom2629]

wonder if the Duke drug the Duchess through her dressing room and threw her Mainbocher and Schiaparelli clothes at her and into a monogrammed louis vuitton bag.. Wonder of Wallis ever put on all her jewelry at once and laid on her bed lol

[@ChiTownGoatMontana5]

Love it thanks ❤️💯

[@FozzQuaker]

What would have happened if Edward never abdicated, in regards to World War 2...That's a good question... Despite being a Nazi Sympathiser, I am not sure Edward could have done much to affect the War as the monarch is not supposed to interfere in politics or the running of the Country. He may have tried to seek peace with Hitler, but you would still have people like Winston Churchill wanting to fight the war. Had he not abdicated, it may have been that Edward would receive Hess when he flew to Britain... Theres any one of a hundred things that could have happened if Edward remained on the Throne... 1 thing I know for certain, Elizabeth II would still be on the throne after Edward, as he had no kids and his brother died before him

[@christineparis5607]

Trump, you need to go back to twitter.....

[@SCSilk]

Who is to say that Edward would not have had kids had he married someone else?

[@DMJoeBing]

Actually, no. George VI, his brother and father of Elizabeth II, would have first been second in line until his death, then Elizabeth. She would not have ascended to the throne until the 1970s, if at all depending on how WW2 went with him on the throne. Though the PM and parliament have control, knowing the military holds allegiance to the crown and not the politicians, Germany would have easily taken Britain had they not been so greedy in the East. Who knows what would have happened to the rest of the line of succession for the crown had that happened. Wanting a puppet king, Hitler may have had them all rounded up and killed.

[@FozzQuaker]

@@SCSilk I was going on the assumption that Edward keeping the throne and still marrying Wallis

[@FozzQuaker]

@@DMJoeBing I know that, I was simply pointing out that Elizabeth would have still ended up on the throne...which would have been 1972 had history stayed the same

[@nickcobb7253]

couldn't help and notice no video about Jim Varney. please make one. thank you.

[@trawlins396]

Why???

[@katebogarin]

Could you guys do one about the Romanov family please

[@trawlins396]

That would be amazing.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

The Romanov family was such a tragic story.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you .

[@mscompare1837]

Nice information ❤❤❤

[@Tina06019]

What a vicious attitude he had towards his unfortunate younger brother. And he put those thoughts down on paper, so that it would get back to his mother; proof that he lacked politesse.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

He called his brother King George VI "The Toy Soldier" and he called Queen Elizabeth II "Shirley Temple".

[@JaakkoPeramaki]

Please do Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, man who led Finland through ww2, or Risto Ryti who was president from 1940 to 1944. He took all the blame for allying Finland with Germany so others wouldnt have to face the consequences. im going to keep posting this until you do it :)

[@deprogramm]

Suomen Sotavoimat there’s no blame to be had. Even after the war the US didn’t really see Finland as a bad nation. I don’t think anyone blamed Finland for applying with the Germans there was simply no other choice

[@JaakkoPeramaki]

@@deprogramm The Allied commission which was in Finland from 1944 to 1947 were almost made all from Soviets, and a few Brits, the Soviets demanded Risto Ryti to be put on trial for the war. And he decided to take ALL the blame so the generals and Mannerheim wouldnt be have to be put on trial.

[@Ladypeace12312]

I love the way u talk fast..thanks

[@bluddum1107]

Wow i litterally thought about how cool it would be if you guys did a video on Edward VIII a couple of hours ago

[@NTMA11]

that chick looks like the dude from split

[@Maesterful]

Oh my god now I can't get that image out of my head 😭😂

[@phenix2heaven]

Can you please make a video about the abolitionist John Brown?

[@bbigguy500]

Hey Simon, you have made an awesome channel. You should consider Making a video about Maria Felix.

[@mukmarkes4151]

Do one on 'Alessandro Moreschi' the “Angel of Rome” and the general topic

[@shashanksrivastava8659]

King stepped down from the most powerful throne in the recorded human history just to marry a twice divorced ordinary woman. Is it not the greatest love story??

[@adamsackfield589]

shashank srivastava If she hadn’t been in love with someone else. I guess it makes it more like real life than a love story.

[@weeooh1]

What love story? She didnt love him. She married him to prevent him from committing suicide if she didnt. Her love was for her previous husband to which she continually wrote affectionate letters to even after marrying Edward.

[@shashanksrivastava8659]

Wat Dis I don't know the entire truth but I guess if you are right then call it greatest one sided love story

[@christineparis5607]

He didn't to it for her, he actually did it TO her. Many close associates of his had heard him say that he did NOT want to EVER be king, way before he even met Wallis. She was just a perfect excuse. He loved her, but he was obsessive about everything. She was the mosted hated person around the world for awhile, and her life was constantly threatened. His promising that he would be king, make her his queen, etc. was a complete lie, and his betrayal stunned her. She hated him in many ways ever after for destroying her life. They were never happy. He was just a very messed up, weird baby, and she was blinded to his completely flabby personality while he was the most powerful person in Europe...when they were finally alone as a couple it was obvious that he was a complete loser. She was the first public catfish.

[@oslonorway547]

@@shashanksrivastava8659 You would know, if you had watched the entire video before commenting.

[@ronyzoramsanga2844]

Edward was actually very popular with the people and they would have accept him as their king,it was parliament that could not accept Wallis simpson

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

big thonk

[@miriamhavard7621]

Truth!

[@padawanmage71]

That was eye opening. I was under the impression that both were madly in love with each other. Learn something new everyday..

[@trailerpark7170]

do one on ceasescu good video btw

[@cobracollie3639]

Make one on Rafael Trujillo attempt #11

[@archstanton6102]

When Wallis died they held an auction of her jewellery. It was reported that Princess Diana wanted to bid on some Prince of Wales styled pieces, as she was still married to Charles at the time. However she was prevented from doing so by Elizabeth the Queen Mother who hated Wallis.

[@caligulalonghbottom2629]

Princess Michael of Kent (married to the queens cousin) was left some things by Wallis in her will

[@archstanton6102]

@@caligulalonghbottom2629 Also the daughter of an SS cavalry officer...

[@babs66]

It's great that the sale of her Jewellry went to the place that discovered a treatment for AIDS.

[@Hamzakhan-dt3gv]

Interesting video

[@Codehead3]

What a cad he was! And such a shame about his unrequited love! I didn’t know about either before...thanks for sharing!

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

.

[@offtraileddino5989]

6:06 Shouldn’t that be the death of King George V?

[@FlintenJones]

When are we getting an Atilla "The Hun" video?

[@missyrose2154]

Please do the Romonovs, Jumbo the Elephant, Elizabeth 1, Bloody Mary ,TheVikings and Atilla the Hun

[@soundknight]

Yet another stellar human being in charge of an entire group of people...

[@LostSonOfPluto]

If I may make a suggestion for a future episode. Robert Pickton, the pig farmer serial killer outside Vancouver in the 70s-2000s

[@chrissygravitt9196]

Rob Gavagan has just recently made a video about him. It's very good, check it out.

[@LostSonOfPluto]

Will do. Thanks for the tip

[@RikDog91]

There were a few errors in this one, as others have mentioned

[@masterpainter72]

The next Biographics should cover David Hahn-The Nuclear/Atomic Boy Scout.

[@bergumz]

Anyone else having issues watching this channel using Chromecast? I watch a lot of KZbin and stream it to my television. The videos skip, stop, or audio and visuals don't match up. Haven't been watching much lately. Other channels don't seem to have this issue...

[@carlosallen5905]

"Ohhhhh the things ya do for love..oh oh oh" ❤😉🤣😎

[@Theavel2233]

Do you think any Norwegian figures are likely to come up? It would be especially exciting to see one about the Commandos in ww2

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

not about Mr Quisling??? :-p Would fit the "sympathisers of horrible german governments" motive in here far better

[@landoftoontopia1160]

what about a video on elizabeth holmes and the theranos scandal?

[@madmanmortonyt4890]

11:42 Edward's face describes his situation perfectly.

[@trawlins396]

Explain