The Man Who Would Be King...Again? The 1946 Duke of Windsor Plot

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  • Опубликовано: 30 авг 2023
  • 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 ...
    Help support my channel:
    www.paypal.me/markfeltonprodu...
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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.

Комментарии • 2 тыс.

  • @scottgregory4255
    @scottgregory4255 9 месяцев назад +2741

    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
      @ziepex7009 9 месяцев назад +30

      agreed

    • @vic5015
      @vic5015 9 месяцев назад +91

      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
      @Davivd2 9 месяцев назад +47

      LMAO that was my thoughts too. Just having a casual looksie in the national archives. As one does.

    • @josephsandoval9825
      @josephsandoval9825 9 месяцев назад +16

      INDEED!!

    • @josephsandoval9825
      @josephsandoval9825 9 месяцев назад +8

      INDEED!!

  • @testtoon1452
    @testtoon1452 9 месяцев назад +649

    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
      @WTU208 9 месяцев назад +17

      I thought that was Charlie Boy.

    • @kayeninetwo3585
      @kayeninetwo3585 9 месяцев назад +21

      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
      @SafetySpooon 9 месяцев назад +11

      I have to dissent: he also liked drinking, smoking & steeplechasing.

    • @InTecknicolour
      @InTecknicolour 9 месяцев назад +7

      freda dudley ward and thelma furness

    • @baraxor
      @baraxor 9 месяцев назад +21

      "Edward the Eighth used to be an Admiral of the Fleet. Now he's third mate on an American tramp."

  • @kealanmcateer124
    @kealanmcateer124 9 месяцев назад +493

    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
      @blondesmommy 5 месяцев назад +3

      There are no wasted words and every sentence is informative.

    • @blueblack3591
      @blueblack3591 4 месяца назад +1

      True

  • @drvee1983
    @drvee1983 9 месяцев назад +112

    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.

  • @RevMikeBlack
    @RevMikeBlack 9 месяцев назад +895

    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
      @Mitch93 9 месяцев назад +131

      Your dad was spot on!

    • @johnvsymons
      @johnvsymons 9 месяцев назад +214

      After Edward abdicated, a popular joke at the time was, "He gave up being King to become third mate on a tramp steamer"!

    • @frankgesuele6298
      @frankgesuele6298 9 месяцев назад +173

      Harry should have learned from him.

    • @drvee1983
      @drvee1983 9 месяцев назад +53

      Sounds like your Dad was a wise man.

    • @Classicgamer73
      @Classicgamer73 9 месяцев назад +80

      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

  • @benbaker2965
    @benbaker2965 9 месяцев назад +614

    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
      @di3486 9 месяцев назад +108

      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
      @pixelpatter01 9 месяцев назад +36

      Let me summarize:; their was a palace coup and the displaced leader plotted a come back. The story is as old as history.

    • @garyfrancis6193
      @garyfrancis6193 9 месяцев назад +11

      @@pixelpatter01 There

    • @pixelpatter01
      @pixelpatter01 9 месяцев назад

      right you are
      @@garyfrancis6193

    • @thesteelrodent1796
      @thesteelrodent1796 9 месяцев назад +18

      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

  • @Willigula
    @Willigula 9 месяцев назад +137

    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.

  • @CigarAttache
    @CigarAttache 9 месяцев назад +51

    80 years since WW2 and Dr Felton continues to educate us on facts that have never been revealed before! 👍🏼👍🏼

    • @bonnie_gail
      @bonnie_gail 3 месяца назад +1

      it really makes me wonder what kind of world we are living in

    • @susanlockyer1192
      @susanlockyer1192 Месяц назад +1

      I've come across most of these things - maybe I was just in the right place at the right time!

  • @nandi123
    @nandi123 9 месяцев назад +633

    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
      @guialogistica-canaloficial779 9 месяцев назад +21

      Agreed

    • @gordonbergslien30
      @gordonbergslien30 9 месяцев назад +61

      Vacuous? Malignant? Narcissists? This sounds very familiar!

    • @mrcheddar
      @mrcheddar 9 месяцев назад +28

      @@gordonbergslien30 OMG, my thoughts exactly!

    • @markjeffery3237
      @markjeffery3237 9 месяцев назад +26

      Family traits. The biggest shysters going - and the population seem to by and large still love it!

    • @ABC1701A
      @ABC1701A 9 месяцев назад +37

      @@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.

  • @4sstg
    @4sstg 9 месяцев назад +306

    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
      @voldier0 9 месяцев назад +54

      America saving the day and WW2, once again, without even trying. USA! (Joking)

    • @jonathanlong6987
      @jonathanlong6987 9 месяцев назад +15

      An excellent point I had not considered… until now.

    • @edgaraquino2324
      @edgaraquino2324 9 месяцев назад +8

      ​@@tobywareing6435that has yet to be determined....

    • @archstanton6102
      @archstanton6102 9 месяцев назад +25

      The Queen Mother banned Diana from buying any of Wallis Simpson's jewelry after she died. Now I understand why .

    • @leebarrr
      @leebarrr 9 месяцев назад +13

      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.

  • @PhilippensTube
    @PhilippensTube 9 месяцев назад +25

    You can always count on Mark for obscure and (almost) forgotten pieces of history. I'm amazed every single time. Highly appreciated and anticipated!

  • @CAP198462
    @CAP198462 9 месяцев назад +27

    Can we just appreciate how much Wallis Simpson did for the war effort.

    • @gregmichael8473
      @gregmichael8473 9 месяцев назад +1

      Yeah, and everyone says that the US was late in coming to the party! They were there in 1938.

    • @merykhan97
      @merykhan97 5 месяцев назад +1

      Depending on the side you're referring to.

    • @divadaedalus
      @divadaedalus Месяц назад

      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
      @CAP198462 Месяц назад

      @@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.

  • @sandyj342
    @sandyj342 9 месяцев назад +298

    Mark this is one amazing piece of history and plot. Your meticulous research and high quality presentation is truly world class.

    • @richardkammerer2814
      @richardkammerer2814 9 месяцев назад +9

      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.

  • @mch12311969
    @mch12311969 9 месяцев назад +109

    Thank you, thank you, thank you; I am so sick of the myth that Edward VIII abdicated simply for Wallis Simpson.

    • @user-fw3fq3de3z
      @user-fw3fq3de3z 9 месяцев назад +6

      yep an offer that couldnt be refused

    • @bernardrandles8013
      @bernardrandles8013 9 месяцев назад +11

      He was a traitor

    • @mch12311969
      @mch12311969 9 месяцев назад +10

      @@bernardrandles8013 That is exactly my point.

    • @tombombadil9123
      @tombombadil9123 2 месяца назад +1

      Nobody ever really believed that. It was just a cover story, because the real truth would've been too damaging in 1938

    • @mch12311969
      @mch12311969 2 месяца назад

      @@tombombadil9123 But the myth keeps getting perpetuated

  • @cherylventer7075
    @cherylventer7075 9 месяцев назад +19

    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 !!

  • @jmcclure55
    @jmcclure55 9 месяцев назад +6

    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.

  • @Luigi_T
    @Luigi_T 9 месяцев назад +138

    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
      @emmettjones5165 9 месяцев назад +8

      I second Luigi's motion!

    • @ChanchoBlanco
      @ChanchoBlanco 9 месяцев назад +1

      Y'all let the sixth get circled among other things leading to the defeat at Stalingrad

    • @killthereds2.043
      @killthereds2.043 9 месяцев назад

      @@ChanchoBlancowe asked for weapons and we told the Germans we can’t hold the Soviets. They didn’t listen.

    • @matpk
      @matpk 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@killthereds2.043but mark is also pay by chi Na gov

    • @killthereds2.043
      @killthereds2.043 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@matpk eh, Churcill gave half of Europe to Stalin

  • @malakasquad2214
    @malakasquad2214 9 месяцев назад +140

    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
      @stevetournay6103 9 месяцев назад +12

      Interesting. (And that's not a connection I'd want to be saddled with...)

    • @marcturner2119
      @marcturner2119 9 месяцев назад +9

      This is also an interesting historical gem, adding to the flavour of another remarkable video by Dr Felton … through casual meanderings

    • @tsz5868
      @tsz5868 9 месяцев назад +1

      Dunno If there is some tie with princess Leopoldina married with Pedro I the Brazilian regent prince

    • @derekbowbrick6233
      @derekbowbrick6233 9 месяцев назад +1

      That deserves a one armed salute.

    • @bronsonperich9430
      @bronsonperich9430 9 месяцев назад +5

      All relations of Queen Vic.

  • @JonathanMoosey
    @JonathanMoosey 9 месяцев назад +20

    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.

  • @ByWayOfDeception
    @ByWayOfDeception 9 месяцев назад +3

    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.

  • @Uncle_Torgo
    @Uncle_Torgo 9 месяцев назад +76

    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
      @jamestarbet9608 9 месяцев назад +7

      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
      @Rusty_Gold85 9 месяцев назад +5

      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
      @robertortiz-wilson1588 9 месяцев назад +1

      ​@Rusty_Gold85 true!

    • @SirAntoniousBlock
      @SirAntoniousBlock 9 месяцев назад

      @@jamestarbet9608 Even Heroditus the father of history, wrote more propaganda than real history.

    • @Dulcimertunes
      @Dulcimertunes 8 месяцев назад +1

      Lost or repressed?

  • @Lemma01
    @Lemma01 9 месяцев назад +72

    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
      @chrisvowell2890 9 месяцев назад +10

      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 RUclips!

  • @mathewfullerton8577
    @mathewfullerton8577 9 месяцев назад +2

    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.

  • @tdubya75
    @tdubya75 9 месяцев назад +1

    Fascinating stuff, Doc! I don’t know how you do it. I look forward to your videos more than anyone else on YT.

  • @bevinboulder5039
    @bevinboulder5039 9 месяцев назад +79

    Wow! Pretty amazing that literally every other historian has ignored this until now. Kudos Dr. Felton.

    • @scottcharney1091
      @scottcharney1091 9 месяцев назад +2

      I wouldn't say "literally."

    • @jhvorlicky
      @jhvorlicky 9 месяцев назад

      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
      @stewartellinson8846 9 месяцев назад

      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
      @bevinboulder5039 9 месяцев назад

      He made it accessible to the masses so to speak.

    • @erinharkiewicz7239
      @erinharkiewicz7239 9 месяцев назад +1

      “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

  • @johntamlyn6383
    @johntamlyn6383 9 месяцев назад +257

    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
      @mapmanlxii1715 9 месяцев назад +30

      I think Prince Harry is being iced out in a comparable manner! Though he’d be a lot less dangerous to the “Firm”

    • @petershen6924
      @petershen6924 9 месяцев назад +15

      I think Earl Mountbatten was a much better choice as a British installed German monarch than Duke of Windsor.

    • @sto1238
      @sto1238 9 месяцев назад +17

      @@mapmanlxii1715at least Harry isn’t parading around with Putin and Xi

    • @dougaldouglas8842
      @dougaldouglas8842 9 месяцев назад +3

      One less traitor we had.

    • @Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry
      @Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry 9 месяцев назад +13

      ​@@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.

  • @christianworrall2822
    @christianworrall2822 9 месяцев назад +3

    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.

  • @leoh2690
    @leoh2690 8 месяцев назад +2

    Just discovered your channel and it’s been a great thing indeed. Keep up your amazing work

  • @preethyawesome8278
    @preethyawesome8278 9 месяцев назад +51

    This is one of the best channels on RUclips, since I learn something new everyday! Many thanks, Dr. Felton! Best wishes from Dublin, Ireland ☘

    • @niallmartin9063
      @niallmartin9063 9 месяцев назад +4

      It’s just an amazing Channel ☘️🇮🇪

    • @philipmulville8218
      @philipmulville8218 9 месяцев назад +3

      @@niallmartin9063 Indeed it is 🇮🇪

  • @mike6252
    @mike6252 9 месяцев назад +53

    What a legend Mark is! Plus I love this chapter of British history

    • @MrW10021
      @MrW10021 9 месяцев назад +1

      Did Wallis learn tricks from the bordellos of Shanghai?

  • @richardpetervonrahden6393
    @richardpetervonrahden6393 9 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you Dr Felton for unearthing another fascinating “little detail” of history, and for presenting it so well.

  • @mattgeorge90
    @mattgeorge90 9 месяцев назад

    Dr. Felton you are amazing. Thank you so much for this amazing episode. This is definitely the best channel on RUclips!!!

  • @denisegore1884
    @denisegore1884 9 месяцев назад +63

    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
      @dougaldouglas8842 9 месяцев назад +3

      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?

    • @dougaldouglas8842
      @dougaldouglas8842 9 месяцев назад

      @@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.

  • @cammackinnon
    @cammackinnon 9 месяцев назад +50

    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
      @gregrefon 9 месяцев назад

      As a quite old-ish guy who loves history, I can only concur, my dear youn frien. Could not said that better myself.

  • @lisahinton9682
    @lisahinton9682 Месяц назад

    Once again, I have learned something about this subject that I hadn't known before; thank you so much for your work.

  • @dh4521
    @dh4521 9 месяцев назад +14

    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!

  • @purpleldv966
    @purpleldv966 9 месяцев назад +11

    Come on 2 million subs! Dr. Felton deserves it!

  • @peterrollinson-lorimer
    @peterrollinson-lorimer 9 месяцев назад

    Well done digging this up, adds yet another chapter to the history.

  • @Minwoman
    @Minwoman 7 месяцев назад +2

    Absolutely fantastic history. Quality production. Keep them great as always❤

  • @HiDesert004
    @HiDesert004 9 месяцев назад +7

    Dr Felton knocking it out of the park this week!

  • @Philobiblion
    @Philobiblion 9 месяцев назад +28

    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

  • @mriamilne
    @mriamilne 9 месяцев назад

    Another fabulous tour d’force Dr Felton. Ty.

  • @dougieranger
    @dougieranger 9 месяцев назад +1

    This type of find is exactly why this is the best history channel on RUclips. 10/10

  • @quiverdog
    @quiverdog 9 месяцев назад +14

    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.

  • @danielintheantipodes6741
    @danielintheantipodes6741 9 месяцев назад +29

    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
      @conveyor2 9 месяцев назад +4

      The Kaiser didn't invade Denmark.

    • @johnhblaubachea5156
      @johnhblaubachea5156 9 месяцев назад +5

      @@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
      @johntamlyn6383 9 месяцев назад +1

      Blame Bismarck for that.

    • @danielintheantipodes6741
      @danielintheantipodes6741 9 месяцев назад

      @@johnhblaubachea5156 👍

  • @demetrisdemetriou7156
    @demetrisdemetriou7156 9 месяцев назад

    I love Mr, Felton's analysis, comments and approach on these kind of issues! Well done!

  • @ForceSmart
    @ForceSmart 9 месяцев назад +3

    More stories from National Archives, please. There are lots of good histories waiting to see the light of day.

  • @draw4kicks
    @draw4kicks 9 месяцев назад +12

    Actual historic discoveries on this channel! Brilliant work Mark!

  • @user-lb1zb8dq3n
    @user-lb1zb8dq3n 9 месяцев назад +12

    That would be a great tale on film! Thanks Dr Mark.. Actual historic discoveries on this channel! Brilliant work Mark!.

  • @bobcowley4027
    @bobcowley4027 8 месяцев назад

    Your historical documentaries are extremely interesting. Thank you.

  • @LEredridinghood
    @LEredridinghood 9 месяцев назад

    Really fascinating & so well produced as ever!

  • @RichardHolland4881
    @RichardHolland4881 9 месяцев назад +314

    Edward's wife saved England from a man that would have handed Great Britain over to the enemy. good stuff mark

    • @JG-mp5nb
      @JG-mp5nb 9 месяцев назад +9

      A real Trump!

    • @Davivd2
      @Davivd2 9 месяцев назад

      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
      @ste2442 9 месяцев назад +8

      @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
      @paulrockatansky77 9 месяцев назад

      Mrs. Simpson was most likely a German spy. If anyone saved the UK, it was the anti-Edwardian plotters.

    • @shadowbanned1999
      @shadowbanned1999 9 месяцев назад +12

      What enemy? The Americans?

  • @daniel_sc1024
    @daniel_sc1024 9 месяцев назад +43

    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
      @MarkFeltonProductions  9 месяцев назад +35

      Doesn't make her any less German, does it?

    • @CL-vz6ch
      @CL-vz6ch 9 месяцев назад +6

      ​@@MarkFeltonProductionsthese videos are gripping. Absolutely top notch.

    • @MrMomo182
      @MrMomo182 9 месяцев назад

      Fat Mary was Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Victoria's first cousin-the only other legitimate grandchild of George III.

    • @bronsonperich9430
      @bronsonperich9430 9 месяцев назад

      So they were broke Germans

    • @daniel_sc1024
      @daniel_sc1024 9 месяцев назад +5

      @@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?

  • @danielbeck9191
    @danielbeck9191 9 месяцев назад +1

    Fascinating video!! Thank you for this lesson!

  • @TheEvertw
    @TheEvertw 8 месяцев назад

    What an amazing bit of history. Well done digging this up!

  • @marcturner2119
    @marcturner2119 9 месяцев назад +26

    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
      @faithlesshound5621 9 месяцев назад +5

      "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
      @seanbigay1042 9 месяцев назад

      Okay, I'm getting a bit confused here -- was he David or was he Edward?

    • @alexmckee4683
      @alexmckee4683 9 месяцев назад +2

      He was both: David was his personal name (call name) as one of his forenames and Edward was his regal name.

    • @annwilliams6438
      @annwilliams6438 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@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.

  • @kellycoyle3255
    @kellycoyle3255 9 месяцев назад +10

    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
      @nicolad8822 9 месяцев назад

      Why even mention that nonsense.

  • @abdulmalikal-zahrani1536
    @abdulmalikal-zahrani1536 9 месяцев назад

    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 !

  • @skittlesandfriends5710
    @skittlesandfriends5710 9 месяцев назад +7

    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
      @susanlockyer1192 Месяц назад +1

      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

  • @gordonbergslien30
    @gordonbergslien30 9 месяцев назад +11

    A senior royal marries a divorced American ignorant of court life? That could never happen again. Oh, wait...

  • @i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b
    @i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b 9 месяцев назад +16

    That would be a great tale on film! Thanks Dr Mark.

  • @KO-tm4fz
    @KO-tm4fz 9 месяцев назад

    Another superb detailed video Dr. Felton! Bravo!

  • @OWOT-re5jf
    @OWOT-re5jf 4 месяца назад

    Love your music, images, film footage and narrative voice. Great channel!

  • @Five-O_Reviews
    @Five-O_Reviews 9 месяцев назад +42

    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
      @chombus2602 9 месяцев назад +1

      Yeah, but this was before the war

    • @lynnewilliams3859
      @lynnewilliams3859 9 месяцев назад +1

      Throne.

    • @Five-O_Reviews
      @Five-O_Reviews 9 месяцев назад

      Indeed, corrected. Thanks.@@lynnewilliams3859

    • @tinac3094
      @tinac3094 9 месяцев назад +1

      The Crown is a drama series, not an accurate account of history. Don't depend on fiction for facts.

  • @RickMentore
    @RickMentore 9 месяцев назад +8

    This story is frequently presented in tabloid-like setting, thanks for presenting it in this political,diplomatic like manner.

    • @MrW10021
      @MrW10021 9 месяцев назад +1

      In the olde Pathe genre.

  • @akula673
    @akula673 9 месяцев назад

    Another excellent and astonishing find by Doctor Felton. This may be his most dignificant video. Good work, sir.

  • @georgemichaws3673
    @georgemichaws3673 9 месяцев назад

    Best documentary channel ever continue the good job!!!! A fan from Greece!

  • @uahoe
    @uahoe 9 месяцев назад +12

    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!

  • @tomawen5916
    @tomawen5916 9 месяцев назад +47

    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
      @pixelpatter01 9 месяцев назад +10

      If only they had been as firm with the Bolsheviks.

    • @user-vl8qw8hp1g
      @user-vl8qw8hp1g 9 месяцев назад +7

      I have read that Wallis Simpson was more enamored with the Germans than Edward VIII was. They were indeed quite a pair.

    • @badbotchdown9845
      @badbotchdown9845 9 месяцев назад

      Sad they can't have hanging him

    • @jdools4744
      @jdools4744 9 месяцев назад +2

      Edward was based and should have been king

    • @theenigmaticgamer
      @theenigmaticgamer 9 месяцев назад +7

      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!

  • @paulhaskell6342
    @paulhaskell6342 9 месяцев назад

    Outstanding broadcast. Thanks.

  • @LeonJakub
    @LeonJakub 9 месяцев назад

    Awesome investigative work! Absolutely fascinating.

  • @jonahgiuliani9399
    @jonahgiuliani9399 9 месяцев назад +3

    Another great video dr Felton.

  • @kenkahre9262
    @kenkahre9262 9 месяцев назад +16

    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.

  • @KoalaParty2000
    @KoalaParty2000 9 месяцев назад

    One of your best so far!

  • @paulspice4717
    @paulspice4717 9 месяцев назад +1

    Excellent history and detective work. Thank you

  • @Sublette217
    @Sublette217 9 месяцев назад +11

    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
      @personwhotalkstomuch4898 8 месяцев назад +1

      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
      @Sublette217 8 месяцев назад

      @@personwhotalkstomuch4898 We can tell who the real authorities on their topics are.

  • @kensummers7757
    @kensummers7757 9 месяцев назад +7

    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

  • @_renaissance.girl_
    @_renaissance.girl_ 9 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much Mark for uploading your video. This is so interesting 💕 ^^

  • @JohnD-tk9si
    @JohnD-tk9si 9 месяцев назад +1

    I Love these Kind of Stories Mark F.

  • @danielschein6845
    @danielschein6845 9 месяцев назад +176

    The British owe Wallace Simpson a great debt of gratitude for cutting short what would have been the disastrous reign of Edward. Can you imagine what it would have been like listening to his Nazi loving nonsense while Churchill was vowing to “fight them on the beaches” and defend their island home to the bitter end?

    • @paulrockatansky77
      @paulrockatansky77 9 месяцев назад

      Simpson was most likely a German spy. It's the anti-Edwardian plotters that deserve credit, although she herself made for a convenient excuse with her unsavory reputation that made Edward's removal that much easier.

    • @lovablesnowman
      @lovablesnowman 9 месяцев назад +31

      It really is an amazing quirk of history that Edward VIII was forced to abdicate
      Thank god he was forced to abdicate

    • @WojciechP915
      @WojciechP915 9 месяцев назад

      I don't know, maybe London would still be majority English, instead of pakis and blacks.

    • @R32R38
      @R32R38 9 месяцев назад +8

      It could have been the end of the monarchy.

    • @gejost
      @gejost 9 месяцев назад +6

      The perception that he "loved" the Nazi is likely exaggerated. He didn't want a war. It's very logical for anyone who saw any of the carnage of war war one not to. He did observe some of the fighting.

  • @skadoink1736
    @skadoink1736 9 месяцев назад +3

    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.....

  • @Toix
    @Toix 9 месяцев назад

    I JUST WANTED TO SAY I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!!!!

  • @markf5661
    @markf5661 9 месяцев назад +1

    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 …!

  • @geoffcartertheoreticalstru6484
    @geoffcartertheoreticalstru6484 9 месяцев назад +8

    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
      @steve08717 9 месяцев назад

      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
      @AtheistOrphan 9 месяцев назад

      I believe that information relating to Amy Johnson’s fatal plane crash are sealed for 100 years.

  • @MichaelPickles
    @MichaelPickles 9 месяцев назад +9

    If Mark had been a history teacher then it would have been my favourite lessons, 😊

  • @johnje4285
    @johnje4285 9 месяцев назад +1

    That was fascinating and beautifully researched and narrated

  • @NetworkXIIIOverload
    @NetworkXIIIOverload 9 месяцев назад

    Great video Dr. Felton, thank you.

  • @TheDreadnoughtgames
    @TheDreadnoughtgames 9 месяцев назад +6

    How is this not being made into a major TV documentary??

    • @the_lichemaster
      @the_lichemaster 9 месяцев назад +3

      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
      @richardkammerer2814 9 месяцев назад

      Anything is possible five time zones over here on streaming service.

    • @dougearnest7590
      @dougearnest7590 9 месяцев назад +1

      They're still doing the research - to make sure they don't accidentally get anything right.

  • @lteht6919
    @lteht6919 9 месяцев назад +4

    Dr. Felton, Thank you for your continued amazing videos and books.

  • @wtharris2343
    @wtharris2343 9 месяцев назад

    perhaps the best Felton video in a long line of great ones...

  • @justinvanstaden4125
    @justinvanstaden4125 9 месяцев назад

    Wow what a great video! There is still so much to learn from this time in History!

  • @emmettjones5165
    @emmettjones5165 9 месяцев назад +5

    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...

  • @hueywallop2461
    @hueywallop2461 9 месяцев назад +13

    Another great video! I highly recommend Andrew Lownie’s book “Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor”, which portrays Edward VIII as a middle-aged child. Edward’s abdication was a good thing for the free world. His own mother and ERII never trusted him and ‘that woman’.🎉

  • @wilhelmhesse1348
    @wilhelmhesse1348 9 месяцев назад

    Great and amazing find Dr Felton 💯

  • @RedXlV
    @RedXlV 9 месяцев назад +5

    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...

  • @samrodian919
    @samrodian919 9 месяцев назад +3

    A true revelation Mark! What a discovery! Thank god the disgraced Windsor chappie wasn't even contemplated for any roll in Germany's future, nor any other countries either. He was a disgraced, womanising German playboy. So thankful that his brother the late King George VI was a better human being and Loyal to this country, despite his German ancestry. And thus we got in 1952 on George's death probably the best monarch this country ever had or will have. She reigned for 71 glorious years, God Bless Her!

  • @katiebates6134
    @katiebates6134 6 месяцев назад

    This was Fascinating! Thank you Dr Felton!!

  • @loditx7706
    @loditx7706 9 месяцев назад

    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. 👍

  • @Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry
    @Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry 9 месяцев назад +4

    It would be extremely interesting to learn more of Ernest Augustus's role in the July Plot. Might be a thread worth pulling.

  • @Asger21
    @Asger21 9 месяцев назад +41

    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
      @Mitch93 9 месяцев назад +31

      Nope, it's because the tanks had outrun their supply lines.

    • @Mitch93
      @Mitch93 9 месяцев назад +19

      If Edward had stopped it, why was he leaking the battleplans?

    • @islander8367
      @islander8367 9 месяцев назад +13

      Dr. Felton has a video for this, as well. His video on German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt.

    • @jorgeroaro
      @jorgeroaro 9 месяцев назад

      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
      @84ceasar 9 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@Mitch93maybe he had agreement with Hitler to spare British life's in exchange for battle plans.