The Windsors at War: The King, His Brother, and a Family Divided by Alexander Larman (5 Stars)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The book is a fascinating and well-researched insight into the dysfunctional royal family and world politics during World War II.

I’ll admit my motivation for reading this was Wallis Simpson. When I was much younger and learned that a king abdicated his throne for her, I thought how romantic! Turns out, it was perhaps a less than happily-ever-after ending. Wallis felt contempt for Edward who was never able to convince the royal family to accept her, much less provide her with the title of Her Royal Highness. They began their life together as pariahs in the royal family as well as much of society. While Edward still loved her deeply and remained loyal to her, she held him in disdain. Perhaps it was a match made in heaven as the two certainly deserved each other. They were totally obsessed with only themselves and had no compassion for what England was going through during World War II. Edward constantly squabbled with his brother, the king, over money and royal titles while London and Buckingham Palace were under siege and being bombed.

The book moves into Edward and Wallis’ Nazi sympathies, touches on the Marburg File and describes Hitler’s plots to perhaps reinstate Edward on the throne. The book conveys multiple facets of the story as it details conversations and correspondence between the royals, their staff, friends and politicians, giving more than one side of the story.

In the end, Edward was a despicable man driven by his loss of power and greediness, who most likely betrayed his country. Wallis’ illusions of grandeur were the flames that ignited Edward.

As a complete side note, Edward was fond of gifting Wallis with exquisite one-of-a-kind jewelry. Take a look at her collection: