THE WINDSORS AT WAR

The second in a series about the Windsor family follows the hand-wringing over Edward VIII’s perfidy courting the Nazis during World War II—and official attempts to contain him.

In this follow-up to The Crown in Crisis, British historian Larman uses his access to new letters and diaries to provide a thorough, occasionally poignant consideration of the “fascinating psychodrama of the uneasy relationship between King George VI and the Duke of Windsor,” two brothers and kings who didn’t want the role. Edward VIII (David to his family and friends) abdicated the crown in favor of his unprepared younger brother, Albert (Bertie); worse, he demonstrated distinct pro-Nazi sympathies that came to haunt the royal family and government. Stepping down from the crown in December 1936 because he could not rule with the woman he loved, American Wallis Simpson, the two caused nothing but headache and anxiety for Britain. They were married in Nazi collaborator Charles Bedaux’s French château, roamed Europe with appeasement sympathizers, and even visited Hitler in October 1937. With the outbreak of war and danger of the Windsors being kidnapped by the Germans or manipulated for political use, King George VI arranged with Prime Minister Winston Churchill to coerce the duke to serve as governor of the Bahamas over the course of the war. However, the duke never relented in pressing for a royal title for the duchess and having her invited to court, among other tiresome entreaties. Drawing heavily on accounts by Edward’s lawyer, Walter Monckton, and private secretaries Alec Hardinge and Tommy Lascelles, among other close observers, Larman ably portrays the deep layers of emotion and intrigue among the various players—notably, the warming relationship and support between King George VI and Churchill during a time of international crisis.

Fully fleshed portraits of royal siblings under duress. Royal watchers will eagerly await a third installment.