Royal historian Andrew Loni, who has devoted his life to Edward VIII in recent years, claims in a book that Edward VIII sent secret telegrams to Hitler urging a "peaceful resolution" of the escalating hostilities between Britain and Nazi Germany during World War II.
In 1936, in order to marry the divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson, Edward VIII resolutely gave up the throne to become the Duke of Windsor's amazing act was widely known around the world, achieving a legend of "not loving the country and loving the beauty". Edward VIII reigned for only 326 days, making him one of the shortest reigning kings in English history. After his abdication, he and Mrs. Simpson were known as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. However, Edward VIII's plans to marry Edward VIII were not the biggest source of controversy he brought to the royal family.
Before and during World War II, the Duke of Windsor's sympathy for the Nazis also brought shame to the British royal family. The former king was known for embracing German culture and was closely associated with his father, Wilhelm II, a German cousin of George V. However, while the German ancestry of the British Crown is well documented, what is less known is that Edward VIII appealed to the Fuehrer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler himself, for a "peaceful solution to the crisis."
Royal biographer Andrew Loni detailed the secret correspondence between them in his book The Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, published last year. Looney wrote: "The Duke of Windsor still believed that war could be avoided and sent a private telegram to Hitler on August 27, 1939. Edward VIII wrote in his telegram: "Remembering your courtesy and our meeting 2 years ago, I extend to you my completely personal, simple but very sincere appeal, hoping that you will exert your greatest influence in order to resolve the current crisis peacefully." ”
Edward VIII's telegram mentions his informal visit to Germany with his wife, during which they met Hitler. The couple visited a mine, a winter rescue headquarters, a light bulb factory and a school. According to Mr. Loni, Hitler replied to Edward VIII's telegram 6 days later. In his reply, the Fuehrer of Nazi Germany wrote: "I assure you that the attitude towards England remains unchanged and that I hope that the desire to avoid a new war between our two countries remains." However, whether the relations between the Germans and the British can find the right channel depends on the British. ”
By the time Edward VIII received Hitler's telegram, international relations had reached the brink of collapse and Germany had invaded Poland. Hitler ignored the ultimatums of Britain and France demanding withdrawals, and the two countries subsequently declared war on Germany. Amid growing tensions, Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson left their la Croix-la-Royce, a luxurious castle on the French Riviera, for Paris. The Duke of Windsor's friend, Fruti Metcalfe, arranged a train for the couple to the French capital.
The truth about Edward VIII's abdication? Not just the love of beauties, or related to sympathy for his Nazis, according to Mr. Loni's book, Edward VIII is said to have rejected the idea of returning to England during World War II. Walter Moncton, Edward VIII's trusted adviser, also claimed that the former king had said he would not return to England unless his brother King George VI was able to accommodate him and Mrs Simpson.
Before the outbreak of World War II, the abdicated Edward VIII had sent a telegram to Hitler seeking a solution to the crisis, and according to Mr. Edward VIII, Edward VIII knew that the Second World War had begun as soon as he arrived in Paris. He wrote: "The Duke of Windsor's reaction when he heard the news from the British Embassy in Paris was to say to his wife, 'Britain has just declared war on Germany.'" ’”