The Man Who Would Be King...Again? The 1946 Duke of Windsor Plot
In 1946, a secret plot emerged to make the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII, king again, but not of Britain, but of part of a foreign country. Find out the full story of this completely forgotten and overlooked story.
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA, is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
Visit my audio book channel 'War Stories with Mark Felton': • One Thousand Miles to ...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress;Geni; A.Savin; Wolkenkratzer; Raycer; Matthias Suessen.
Пікірлер: 2 000
Mark just casually taking a stroll down to the national archives to uncover obscenely obscure historical tidbits by accident, you absolute legend, best historian on the planet
@ziepex7009
8 ай бұрын
agreed
@vic5015
8 ай бұрын
Dr. Felton: "I've got some time to kill. What shall I do? Oh, I've got it! I'll casually peruse the British national archives!" Legend!
@Davivd2
8 ай бұрын
LMAO that was my thoughts too. Just having a casual looksie in the national archives. As one does.
@josephsandoval9825
8 ай бұрын
INDEED!!
@josephsandoval9825
8 ай бұрын
INDEED!!
Best line ever..... "His only real interest was sleeping with other man's wives"..... laughed so hard at this, the delivery Mark, spot on!!
@WTU208
8 ай бұрын
I thought that was Charlie Boy.
@kayeninetwo3585
8 ай бұрын
Another phrase that I found amusing was "the Dukes of Hanover." It made me think of a Mercedes Benz coupe with a rebel flag on the roof.
@SafetySpooon
8 ай бұрын
I have to dissent: he also liked drinking, smoking & steeplechasing.
@InTecknicolour
8 ай бұрын
freda dudley ward and thelma furness
@baraxor
8 ай бұрын
"Edward the Eighth used to be an Admiral of the Fleet. Now he's third mate on an American tramp."
Does anyone else notice how much information mark can cram into 15 minutes, never ceases to amaze me, and all easily delivered, again pure genius
@blondesmommy
5 ай бұрын
There are no wasted words and every sentence is informative.
@blueblack3591
3 ай бұрын
True
If you want pure historical data, with a hint of obscure theory? Mark has it. He doesn't surmise. He shows you the paperwork with quotes, film footage, and those that were either there, or factual history that came before the topics. He is an imperical historical journalist with no spin. If only the world and modern media had more like him. Thank you Mark.
While an elementary schooler, I saw the Duke & Duchess of Windsor on an American television talk show. They looked like forgotten old actors. Not knowing them, I asked my dad who the man was. My father answered, "That man is the biggest fool of all time."
@Mitch93
8 ай бұрын
Your dad was spot on!
@johnvsymons
8 ай бұрын
After Edward abdicated, a popular joke at the time was, "He gave up being King to become third mate on a tramp steamer"!
@frankgesuele6298
8 ай бұрын
Harry should have learned from him.
@drvee1983
8 ай бұрын
Sounds like your Dad was a wise man.
@Classicgamer73
8 ай бұрын
He just wanted no responsibility, but still a lavish life style, he didn't deserve to be king. And should have lived in his beloved Germany, good riddance I say
Edward and Wallis were vacuous malignant narcissists. It is a good thing he inadvertently removed himself from all positions of influence before he called lasting harm. Mark, this is a significant contribution to the historical record. Thank you.
@guialogistica-canaloficial779
8 ай бұрын
Agreed
@gordonbergslien30
8 ай бұрын
Vacuous? Malignant? Narcissists? This sounds very familiar!
@mrcheddar
8 ай бұрын
@@gordonbergslien30 OMG, my thoughts exactly!
@markjeffery3237
8 ай бұрын
Family traits. The biggest shysters going - and the population seem to by and large still love it!
@ABC1701A
8 ай бұрын
@@markjeffery3237 Every family has one, and Harry is totally a Spencer rather than a Windsor. Just like his mum and uncle unfortunately. Meghan is also unfortunately rather like Wallis.
80 years since WW2 and Dr Felton continues to educate us on facts that have never been revealed before! 👍🏼👍🏼
@bonnie_gail
2 ай бұрын
it really makes me wonder what kind of world we are living in
@susanlockyer1192
Ай бұрын
I've come across most of these things - maybe I was just in the right place at the right time!
While other historians re-package and rehash from other history books and published sources, Dr. Felton does the actual research as a true author would. The results are fascinating stories that we’ve never heard just like this one. Thank you, Dr. Felton.
I grew up with the romantic view of the Duke of Windsor walking away from his crown because of the woman he loved. This was perpetrated by my mother. But there are so many levels to the Duke's story beyond abdicating to be with the woman he loved. And Mark has added some new layers to this tale for me today.
@di3486
8 ай бұрын
What is ironic is that there nothing romantic about the story. Edward was an immature codependent and Wallis was miserable her entire life. She wanted to go back to her last husband but he had moved on. That, plus the Nazi ties, destroys the whole “love story”
@pixelpatter01
8 ай бұрын
Let me summarize:; their was a palace coup and the displaced leader plotted a come back. The story is as old as history.
@garyfrancis6193
8 ай бұрын
@@pixelpatter01 There
@pixelpatter01
8 ай бұрын
right you are @@garyfrancis6193
@thesteelrodent1796
8 ай бұрын
in Denmark the story typically is that Edward was forced to abdicate in order to be allowed to marry her. It was discussed quite heavily when our princes married commoners (20-25 years ago), but in modern Denmark, no one cares about such things and the government would probably have been forced to step down (by the people) if they tried to pull such a stunt
His niece Queen Elizabeth II apparently knew this , as did his sister-in-law, the queen mother Queen Elizabeth. Wallis did the British people and the free world a good turn, by marrying Edward.
@voldier0
8 ай бұрын
America saving the day and WW2, once again, without even trying. USA! (Joking)
@jonathanlong6987
8 ай бұрын
An excellent point I had not considered… until now.
@edgaraquino2324
8 ай бұрын
@@tobywareing6435that has yet to be determined....
@archstanton6102
8 ай бұрын
The Queen Mother banned Diana from buying any of Wallis Simpson's jewelry after she died. Now I understand why .
@leebarrr
8 ай бұрын
I'm willing to bet they forced Edward to abdicate because of his ties with Hitler. Do you really believe the King of England couldn't marry who he wants? Charles has made his lover Queen. Henry divorced how many times and married who he wanted mutiple times.
You can always count on Mark for obscure and (almost) forgotten pieces of history. I'm amazed every single time. Highly appreciated and anticipated!
Can we just appreciate how much Wallis Simpson did for the war effort.
@gregmichael8473
8 ай бұрын
Yeah, and everyone says that the US was late in coming to the party! They were there in 1938.
@merykhan97
4 ай бұрын
Depending on the side you're referring to.
@divadaedalus
28 күн бұрын
The point,I think, is that Edward’s obsession with Wallis led him to abdicate. He was pro Nazi and utterly inept, spoiled and stubborn. Thank goodness he abdicated and Britain was not taken over by Hitler thus possibly changing the outcome of WWII.
@CAP198462
28 күн бұрын
@@divadaedalus yes, she got Edward to abdicate, which allowed King George VI to become king and not befriend the Austrian painter and his noughtsee club.
Thank you, thank you, thank you; I am so sick of the myth that Edward VIII abdicated simply for Wallis Simpson.
@user-fw3fq3de3z
8 ай бұрын
yep an offer that couldnt be refused
@bernardrandles8013
8 ай бұрын
He was a traitor
@mch12311969
8 ай бұрын
@@bernardrandles8013 That is exactly my point.
@tombombadil9123
2 ай бұрын
Nobody ever really believed that. It was just a cover story, because the real truth would've been too damaging in 1938
@mch12311969
2 ай бұрын
@@tombombadil9123 But the myth keeps getting perpetuated
Mark this is one amazing piece of history and plot. Your meticulous research and high quality presentation is truly world class.
@richardkammerer2814
8 ай бұрын
As Mark’s report progressed, I realized I knew less and less of this criminal affair and really am quite sickened but better educated as a result.
Excellent narration. Absolutely spot on with the historical facts and beautifully edited and uploaded. You're a star Mr Felton . Thank you for the hours of entertainment you have given to me and I'm sure many others !!
The romantic view and legacy of Edward and Wallis was the best outcome for both them and the UK. The reality is much more nuanced and gritty. Thanks Mark. Great work.
Dr Felton treating us with constant content is one of the joys of the Internet. Many thanks from Romania! I wish there would be coverage of our involvement in the second world war for my personal enlightenment as this format is very enjoyable 🇷🇴
@emmettjones5165
8 ай бұрын
I second Luigi's motion!
@ChanchoBlanco
8 ай бұрын
Y'all let the sixth get circled among other things leading to the defeat at Stalingrad
@killthereds2.043
8 ай бұрын
@@ChanchoBlancowe asked for weapons and we told the Germans we can’t hold the Soviets. They didn’t listen.
@matpk
8 ай бұрын
@@killthereds2.043but mark is also pay by chi Na gov
@killthereds2.043
8 ай бұрын
@@matpk eh, Churcill gave half of Europe to Stalin
This is absolutely fascinating! And confirmation of Edward’s stupidity and total unfitness to be King. Sadly it was probably best that he remained a kind of unemployed celebrity and was not allowed a position from which he could influence or harm anyone.
@mapmanlxii1715
8 ай бұрын
I think Prince Harry is being iced out in a comparable manner! Though he’d be a lot less dangerous to the “Firm”
@petershen6924
8 ай бұрын
I think Earl Mountbatten was a much better choice as a British installed German monarch than Duke of Windsor.
@sto1238
8 ай бұрын
@@mapmanlxii1715at least Harry isn’t parading around with Putin and Xi
@dougaldouglas8842
8 ай бұрын
One less traitor we had.
@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry
8 ай бұрын
@@petershen6924Except that Churchill had barely a higher regard for "Dickie" than for "David". Churchill was quick to use the Dieppe debacle to have Mountbatten hustled off to Burma, well away from the European theatre. Churchill considered him an incompetent headline grabber who was too close to the Americans, and therefore a potential obstacle to Churchill's own wartime and post-war agendas.
Love most videos that Mark Felton comes out with. I enjoy learning all the complexity of history and the nuances of seemingly questionable allegiances that are not as black and white as many history teachers make them out to be.
I very much appreciate when you candidly state, "This is pure speculation on my part." Too many don't let the listener know when they are doing so. Kudos.
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was also also the name of the Royal Belgian House, which is now named House of Saxe-Coburg. The title Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is still in use for the descendants of King Leopold I.
@stevetournay6103
8 ай бұрын
Interesting. (And that's not a connection I'd want to be saddled with...)
@marcturner2119
8 ай бұрын
This is also an interesting historical gem, adding to the flavour of another remarkable video by Dr Felton … through casual meanderings
@tsz5868
8 ай бұрын
Dunno If there is some tie with princess Leopoldina married with Pedro I the Brazilian regent prince
@derekbowbrick6233
8 ай бұрын
That deserves a one armed salute.
@bronsonperich9430
8 ай бұрын
All relations of Queen Vic.
I've generally believed that 80% of human history has been lost for one reason or another. But this presentation has caused me to wonder if it's more like 75% lost, 5% just overlooked and still recoverable with effort and skill? Thanks for your work, Dr. Felton.
@jamestarbet9608
8 ай бұрын
It's probably in excess of 97%. Remember how many humans lived and died before the written word, and the ones we know of are but the largest of history.
@Rusty_Gold85
8 ай бұрын
Always pays to read through Comments and you pick up bits and pieces ...well once you toss aside some of the BS and vile people seem to vent
@robertortiz-wilson1588
8 ай бұрын
@Rusty_Gold85 true!
@SirAntoniousBlock
8 ай бұрын
@@jamestarbet9608 Even Heroditus the father of history, wrote more propaganda than real history.
@Dulcimertunes
7 ай бұрын
Lost or repressed?
I thought I was an authority on WWII until I started watching this channel... You are a treasure, Dr. Felton. I hit like on every one of your videos as soon as they start.
Mark, I just want to say every time you upload a video, the world becomes a more interesting place. Your an absolute legend. Cheers mate.
Believe me when I say I listen to every word you say with the ear of an historian: your narrative here is masterly- even by your own standards. Knowing how tempting it is to push a line, you deserve genuine credit for always allowing your facts to speak for themselves, and your reticence in forwarding claims is to be admired. Thank you.
@chrisvowell2890
8 ай бұрын
Totally agree - he is the best. It's just a pity Dr. Felton doesn't get wider coverage on the broadcast media but it's clear that broadcast TV seems to have abandoned history documentaries. It's now better covered on KZread!
Wow! Pretty amazing that literally every other historian has ignored this until now. Kudos Dr. Felton.
@scottcharney1091
8 ай бұрын
I wouldn't say "literally."
@jhvorlicky
8 ай бұрын
A bit like almost all of mainstream media ignoring what has truly taken place over the last three years - they're under orders to ignore it.
@stewartellinson8846
8 ай бұрын
It's a fairly obscure and unimportant historical footnote. it will have been mentioned in an academic journal and there will probably be the odd footnote about it in some biographies but it doesn't really tell us much. Maybe you need to read more academic history? What you really mean is "literally every other historian hasn't done a youtube video on this until now"
@bevinboulder5039
8 ай бұрын
He made it accessible to the masses so to speak.
@erinharkiewicz7239
8 ай бұрын
“Literally every other historian” Umm. The Crown did an episode on all this several years ago, based on work by many historians. And a full book - Traitor King - was published by Andrew Lownie last year
This type of find is exactly why this is the best history channel on KZread. 10/10
More stories from National Archives, please. There are lots of good histories waiting to see the light of day.
What a find and so surprising that it was just sitting there and you are the first to report it. I think Edward would have been a poor King no matter which country had him. He struck me as selfish, lazy and not very bright. He wanted all of the perks but without having to work for them. During his 1920 tour of New Zealand, he thought it tedious how the public fawned over him. He was supposed to be there to thank New Zealand for their sacrifices made for the Empire during WW1.
@dougaldouglas8842
8 ай бұрын
As soon as his mates invaded France he rushed off to Portugal for protection. What a dirt bag of a traitor, and I wonder what the French would think of this king helping his mate, Hitler, to invade France?
@PORRRIDGE_GUN
8 ай бұрын
@@dougaldouglas8842 Given his conduct before Germany attacked France and the low countries, any other officer would have been court-martialled and shot.
@dougaldouglas8842
8 ай бұрын
@@PORRRIDGE_GUN I know. The establishment sought to cover up what he had done, and it has well been reported that he informed his pal, Hitler, where to break through, to get into France, and that was through the Arden.
This is one of the best channels on KZread, since I learn something new everyday! Many thanks, Dr. Felton! Best wishes from Dublin, Ireland ☘
@niallmartin9063
8 ай бұрын
It’s just an amazing Channel ☘️🇮🇪
@philipmulville8218
8 ай бұрын
@@niallmartin9063 Indeed it is 🇮🇪
I knew some about King Edward and his brief time as King and his closeness to Germany, my mom’s side of the Family is British, but I never knew the full extent of his involvement with the Germans, before, during, and after the War. What a remarkable story you have uncovered.
@susanlockyer1192
Ай бұрын
Imagine being offered the chance to re-take the British throne after Germany 'bombed the UK into submission' & thinking it was a good idea! All the other members of the RF would have been slaughtered
Thank you Dr Felton for unearthing another fascinating “little detail” of history, and for presenting it so well.
What a legend Mark is! Plus I love this chapter of British history
@MrW10021
8 ай бұрын
Did Wallis learn tricks from the bordellos of Shanghai?
Mark, as a young guy who loves history, I gotta say that your videos really stand out among the rest. Your attention to details and the stories you tell teach me so much that I never knew I needed to know. Thank you for being so knowledgeable and sharing it with the rest of us.
@gregrefon
8 ай бұрын
As a quite old-ish guy who loves history, I can only concur, my dear youn frien. Could not said that better myself.
Both my parents, who were young teenaged Americans at the time, were so enchanted by "the King who gave up his throne for the woman he loved", were so disillusioned by the real story in their old age, would have been really disgusted by these new turn of events. I'm glad they're both gone now so they didn't hear it.
Just discovered your channel and it’s been a great thing indeed. Keep up your amazing work
Queen Alexandra loathed Germany with a passion. She never forgave the Kaiser for invading Denmark. As for the abdication, I would not call it a plot. I would call it a process. I have never begrudged Mrs Simpson a single jewel. I just feel gratitude towards her. She would have made a dreadful Queen, but she did successfully get him away from us. Glad that she never got a title though. Thank you for the video!
@conveyor2
8 ай бұрын
The Kaiser didn't invade Denmark.
@johnhblaubachea5156
8 ай бұрын
@@conveyor2 Danielintheantipodes6741 is referring to the Seven Weeks War in 1864, when his grandfather and future Kaiser William I, the King of Prussia's armies invaded Schleswig-Holstein.
@johntamlyn6383
8 ай бұрын
Blame Bismarck for that.
@danielintheantipodes6741
8 ай бұрын
@@johnhblaubachea5156 👍
I have heard rumours of this, but now it makes sense. What I find amazing that these things in history can create as much drama now as they would then.
Fascinating stuff, Doc! I don’t know how you do it. I look forward to your videos more than anyone else on YT.
Mark, I’ve enjoyed your research and detail on so many historical items for a long time. Your focus and depth of investigation is incredible. I’ve read and researched EVIII quite somewhat but what you’ve shown here, quite correlated to such and also enlightened me and now has convinced me to become a PayPal/Paetron supporter. Thank you ..! I’m in …!
Dr Felton knocking it out of the park this week!
@jonathanlong6987
8 ай бұрын
What an American comment. USA! USA!
Such a kit o unpack here..... I am going to need to watch it a second time & I can't imagine the work that Mark put in to condensing all this research into a digestabe format. An incredible effort, well done sir!
Well done digging this up, adds yet another chapter to the history.
Dr. Felton you are amazing. Thank you so much for this amazing episode. This is definitely the best channel on KZread!!!
Come on 2 million subs! Dr. Felton deserves it!
Edward's wife saved England from a man that would have handed Great Britain over to the enemy. good stuff mark
@JG-mp5nb
8 ай бұрын
A real Trump!
@Davivd2
8 ай бұрын
I don't think that Edward, had he not abdicated the throne, would have had the ability to pull that off. His correspondence with the Germans was read by British intelligence and he even makes a remark about it in one of his letters. Churchill would never have allowed it to happen. The royal's have no real power. They are just figure heads. Once war was declared and the events of Dunkirk took place, no matter how much lobbying Edward would have done to people in the government or to the public, Britain wasn't going to back down.
@ste2442
8 ай бұрын
@@dgsidecarscomspent a year in Germany in my army days (late 90s,) in a place called Celle. Lovely place and nice people. Greetings from Liverpool
@paulrockatansky77
8 ай бұрын
Mrs. Simpson was most likely a German spy. If anyone saved the UK, it was the anti-Edwardian plotters.
@shadowbanned1999
8 ай бұрын
What enemy? The Americans?
Absolutely fantastic history. Quality production. Keep them great as always❤
Known throughout the Navy as “The man who gave up his job as First Lord of the Admiralty in exchange for the position of Third Mate on an American Tramp”. Harsh but funny- and true
One more example of Mark Felton's brilliant nose for live history: history which is still vital and undecided. And he keeps exceeding himself, throwing thunderbolts from mountain top to mountain top, as it were, like a titan. I don't know if MacArthur Genius Awards can be given to foreigners, but if possible, Mark Felton deserves one. He is doing more, personally and single-handedly, to advance the cause of making the history of WWII real to people today than any professional historian or university academic I know of. Good work and good luck. We are firm and fervent fans. PJT
A senior royal marries a divorced American ignorant of court life? That could never happen again. Oh, wait...
@user-fw3fq3de3z
8 ай бұрын
a good cover story
@marblesred2289
8 ай бұрын
Not even close
Once again, I have learned something about this subject that I hadn't known before; thank you so much for your work.
Mark Felton you are really a genius man your voice is so quiet that i find myself understand the history easily + you have a really nice character, you are a likeable man continue please upload a videos about history this channel is a rare gem !
His mother, Mary of Teck, was called that because her father was a Prince of Teck (a very minor German royal house) who married into the British royal family. However, he was penniless (and he discovered after marrying that his British princess, Mary Adelaide aka "Fat Mary," was just as penniless), and they lived in Britain, off of the graces of Queen Victoria; Mary and her siblings were born and raised in the U.K.
@MarkFeltonProductions
8 ай бұрын
Doesn't make her any less German, does it?
@CL-vz6ch
8 ай бұрын
@@MarkFeltonProductionsthese videos are gripping. Absolutely top notch.
@MrMomo182
8 ай бұрын
Fat Mary was Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Victoria's first cousin-the only other legitimate grandchild of George III.
@bronsonperich9430
8 ай бұрын
So they were broke Germans
@daniel_sc1024
8 ай бұрын
@@MarkFeltonProductions How do you define "German"? Does simply having "German blood" define her as German? Or does being born and raised in Britain all her life, speaking English and practicing English customs, make her English?
Actual historic discoveries on this channel! Brilliant work Mark!
Another superb detailed video Dr. Felton! Bravo!
Really fascinating & so well produced as ever!
Mark, you have happened upon an amazing gem of history through your diligence. One can only imagine how this would have played out in later years with the establishment of West Germany and the later reunification. David, as a Prince seemed ambitious to have things on his terms and I wonder what would have happened had the Prince applied for Hannoverian citizenship, were it formed as a discrete state, only to renounce British citizenship in order to take the throne.
@faithlesshound5621
8 ай бұрын
"Subject and King are clean different things!" Edward would not have applied for citizenship to become king. However, without support from the British and American governments, the project would have remained a pipe dream of the tiny monarchist minority, on a par with restoring the throne of France. Things were going the other way in Europe: Stalin made the kings of Romania and Bulgaria abdicate, the Italians voted to abolish their monarchy, and that of Spain was in suspended animation.
@seanbigay1042
8 ай бұрын
Okay, I'm getting a bit confused here -- was he David or was he Edward?
@alexmckee4683
8 ай бұрын
He was both: David was his personal name (call name) as one of his forenames and Edward was his regal name.
@annwilliams6438
7 ай бұрын
@@seanbigay1042 The princes in Britain usually have a string of names. When Diana married Charles she even got the order of his names muddled up as she could not remember all of them correctly. ;) It came as a surprise for some people that Charles kept his calling name as his regal name. He might have chosen to be the next King George rather than Charles III.
That would be a great tale on film! Thanks Dr Mark.. Actual historic discoveries on this channel! Brilliant work Mark!.
I love Mr, Felton's analysis, comments and approach on these kind of issues! Well done!
Another excellent and astonishing find by Doctor Felton. This may be his most dignificant video. Good work, sir.
The Crown, on Netflix, touched on this very briefly. If memory serves me correctly, the former King, on a trip to visit the Queen, and to ask to be back in the good graces of the royal family was flatly and coldly denied by Elizabeth because of a letter that was found by royal intelligence, in which it states that he had colluded with the Nazis in an attempt to retake the Throne. If you haven't watched The Crown, I highly recommend it, it's stylized history, but history none the less. Many thanks Dr. Felton.
@chombus2602
8 ай бұрын
Yeah, but this was before the war
@lynnewilliams3859
8 ай бұрын
Throne.
@Five-O_Reviews
8 ай бұрын
Indeed, corrected. Thanks.@@lynnewilliams3859
@tinac3094
8 ай бұрын
The Crown is a drama series, not an accurate account of history. Don't depend on fiction for facts.
This story is frequently presented in tabloid-like setting, thanks for presenting it in this political,diplomatic like manner.
@MrW10021
8 ай бұрын
In the olde Pathe genre.
Another fabulous tour d’force Dr Felton. Ty.
What an amazing bit of history. Well done digging this up!
This event was referenced in the Netflix show, The Crown, Season 2, episode 6 "Vergangenheit." Thank you for providing much more detail on this affair!
@nicolad8822
8 ай бұрын
Why even mention that nonsense.
excellent research. To belatedly learn that the English non-response to the German reoccupation of the Rhineland was contributed, in part, to Edward's opposition to the British responding militarily and throwing out the then weak Wehrmacht along with his pro-Nazi leanings (as well as admiration for Hitler and his gang of thugs) only reinforces the idea that keeping Edward off the throne of any nation was a good idea. Thank you again Dr. Felton!
@pixelpatter01
8 ай бұрын
If only they had been as firm with the Bolsheviks.
@user-vl8qw8hp1g
8 ай бұрын
I have read that Wallis Simpson was more enamored with the Germans than Edward VIII was. They were indeed quite a pair.
@badbotchdown9845
8 ай бұрын
Sad they can't have hanging him
@jackdools4744
8 ай бұрын
Edward was based and should have been king
@theenigmaticgamer
8 ай бұрын
Edward was a traitor and a completely self centred individual. His narcissistic personality is not so far away from some members of the current royal family who have an equally strong feeling of their entitlement. Andrew and Harry take note!
Fascinating video!! Thank you for this lesson!
Another great video dr Felton.
If you watch this channel, you're a history nerd like me. And most of the time, i have at least some prior knowledge of marks video, but he goes into details ive never heard of before. This though, ive never heard about this. This is awesome. Thank you Mark!
I JUST WANTED TO SAY I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!!!!
This is much to unpack. I'll watch again. My twin and I are fascinated by these strange people. A lot of ink has been spilled about them. Thank you. Dr. Felton, as always. ♥
Amazing Mark - I've always wondered what is still "classified" from WW2 given we know about most of the Intelligence operations & military secrets - even the Cambridge boys - which is not unrelated . . . . . .
@steve08717
8 ай бұрын
plenty theres a future eyes only classification it has a clause that the information can only be released a century after the last person mentioned in the file dies as long as a descendant doesn't block it then theres the royal library at windsor trick we often stash files there you have to get permission of the monarch to access them so never then theres simple misfiling even in the national archives if it has to be released we simply mislabel it with a boring number that no one will ask for hiding in plain sight no one can read the millions of hard copies to find the gold
@AtheistOrphan
8 ай бұрын
I believe that information relating to Amy Johnson’s fatal plane crash are sealed for 100 years.
That would be a great tale on film! Thanks Dr Mark.
One of your best so far!
Love your music, images, film footage and narrative voice. Great channel!
How is this not being made into a major TV documentary??
@the_lichemaster
8 ай бұрын
Good job it hasn't. They would have just turned the solid 15 minutes of gold Dr Felton has given to us into 45 minutes of drawn-out padding plus adverts.
@richardkammerer2814
8 ай бұрын
Anything is possible five time zones over here on streaming service.
@dougearnest7590
8 ай бұрын
They're still doing the research - to make sure they don't accidentally get anything right.
Ok, that has to be the most fascinating video you've done! Makes you wonder what other tidbits are hiding away in (somewhat) plain sight in various archives.....
Great video Dr. Felton, thank you.
Awesome investigative work! Absolutely fascinating.
Yours is one of just a few historian pages that I genuinely enjoy. You present excellent material, well researched, and avoiding the cutesy interjections of cartoon and media clips that certain other pages think make their presentations droll. You also pronounce names and places correctly. One certain “dark” producer is guilty of egregious mispronunciations, while others have too expansive estimations of the entertainment of their own wittiness and sense of humour. You and Drachinfel present some of the best military histories, with The History Guy close on your heels. I find some channels just completely unwatchable. Keep up the good work.
@personwhotalkstomuch4898
8 ай бұрын
I agree, Mark and The History Guy are 2 of my favourite historians. They don’t waffle on & just present the facts in a concise manner that we can understand.
@Sublette217
8 ай бұрын
@@personwhotalkstomuch4898 We can tell who the real authorities on their topics are.
For 50 years, I have wondered why the revengeful Hitler, against his generals wishes, halted their tanks & artillery outside Dunkirk instead of destroying the trapped 400.000 English troops. Is it possible that Edward had influenced Hitlers decision?
@Mitch93
8 ай бұрын
Nope, it's because the tanks had outrun their supply lines.
@Mitch93
8 ай бұрын
If Edward had stopped it, why was he leaking the battleplans?
@islander8367
8 ай бұрын
Dr. Felton has a video for this, as well. His video on German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt.
@jorgeroaro
8 ай бұрын
Hitler had sympathy for Britain, or at least he had until then, and still believed that a friendly peace could be reached with the English, now that France was defeated and Britain could no longer win the war (that was what the Germans assumed, of course). Hitler was perfectly willing to make a peace with the English that fully respected the British Empire and its possessions, in exchange for the English recognizing the German right to rule continental Europe, and of course, the last thing Hitler wanted was to carry out an unnecessary massacre of British soldiers at Dunkirk.
@84ceasar
8 ай бұрын
@@Mitch93maybe he had agreement with Hitler to spare British life's in exchange for battle plans.
It is just fascinating that amongst all those thousands of well documented things and events that happened during the WW2 there are still more or less known events to be dug up and told. Thank you very much Dr Felton for this insight and story! Just wow!!!
This was Fascinating! Thank you Dr Felton!!
Reviving the Kingdom of Hannover as a British-style constitutional monarchy wouldn't have been an innately terrible idea, but Edward would've been perhaps the worst possible choice for the throne. His and George VI's younger brother Henry, Duke of Gloucester, on the other hand...
I’m not particularly a royalist, however I’m an admirer of Albert and Elizabeth after him. They worked hard to erase the mess that Edward created.
@TOBAPNW_
8 ай бұрын
Naked self-interest on their part.
@M167A1
8 ай бұрын
My best friend's Mom was English. And she said something that really stuck with me. "You have to understand that before the war the Nazis didn't look so bad. The British government did a lot of the same things because of the depression, it wasn't until there was no peace after Dunkirk we knew we were in a fight to the end " I had a history professor back in the 80s have the class compare the FDR administration and the pre-war Nazi government. This isn't fair to FDR in many ways and we understood that but the idea of the state as sort of a parent for the nation was widespread on all sides. Certainly vastly different in execution.. I'm saying this because we have the benefit of hindsight, something none of the subjects of our story has. If Edward had kept the throne and told the prime minister to hop it, he was going to marry who he wanted. Thank you very much, it's very interesting to consider what might have happened.
@jamief1263
8 ай бұрын
@@M167A1 I’m sure a Jewish person in Germany wouldn’t agree, however at the time a lot of countries didn’t mind Nazi Germany, as at the time there was more fear of the USSR and a strong Germany would help keep communism at bay. Some like Churchill were not fooled. Fortunately, as a constitutional monarch, Edward didn’t wield such power, any attempt to do this would backfired. The main person calling for Edward to abdicate or breakup with Wallace was the arch Bishop of Canterbury, which meant that Edward stood little chance of succeeding, as he needed the support of the church to win over the public. Edward was never suited for the thrown, he was selfish, lazy, rebellious and was better at being a playboy than a Royal.
Wonderful post!! I love finding bits of history of which I was unaware. Keep digging through those archives. Especially for more disgraceful bits about the wastrel Edward and his blushing frequent bride. 👍
Your historical documentaries are extremely interesting. Thank you.
Confirmation that Germany offered to put Edward back on the throne was obtained by Noel Coward. He went to Portugal in 1940 to entertain Edward and Mrs. Simpson face to face. Edward told Coward all about it. Noel Coward reported it all to British military intelligence. Noel Coward never talked about this with anyone. He wrote it down in his diary. After he died in 1973, his lover Graham Payn went through the diary, edited it, and the world found out when the diary was published in 1982.
@MrW10021
8 ай бұрын
Instead h went to base 211 with the penguins......with the brits on their tail.
It would be extremely interesting to learn more of Ernest Augustus's role in the July Plot. Might be a thread worth pulling.
Outstanding broadcast. Thanks.
I Love these Kind of Stories Mark F.
Macaulay, Gibbon....Felton. The finest historians, and histories, come from England. The best WWII documentaries have come from the English, ever since the end of the war. Of course, it was our American involvement that got me interested in this, but it has always been the English who have educated me. Thank you, Mark...
Considering what she saved them from, I would think there should be a giant monument to Wallis Simpson somewhere in London.
Excellent history and detective work. Thank you
Wow what a great video! There is still so much to learn from this time in History!
Fascinating I had no idea Edward was more German than a lot of Germans. He's lucky he only got sent to play in Bahamas during the war.
@MrW10021
8 ай бұрын
and some currency exchange
@davetravers4621
6 ай бұрын
He was even more lucky not to see the end of a rope after the war.Due to who he was,most likely.
the Brits, and possibly the world at large, dodged a huge bullet with this guys abdication, kinda crazy to think there may be an alternate universe where he doesn't abdicate and buddies up with hitler ...
Remarkable and disturbing story, fueled by Edward's vanity. Whatever he saw in Wallis could not have been her "beauty", because the woman was as homely as a mud fence. Kudos to Dr. Felton for shining a light on this episode.
Thank you so much Mark for uploading your video. This is so interesting 💕 ^^
If Mark had been a history teacher then it would have been my favourite lessons, 😊