King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson paved the way for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle when it comes to rare and dramatic interviews.
Prince Harry is celebrating his birthday today, September 15, and as he’s shared scandalous details about his life, we look back at his famous family member who paved the way.
The former King and his American divorced wife sat down with the BBC’s Kenneth Harris in October 1969 for his first interview since controversially abdicating the throne.
Edward had been informed by officials he couldn’t remain the monarch if he chose to marry twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson.
The king was told by his Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin he had three choices: give up the idea of marriage; marry against his ministers’ wishes, or abdicate – he chose to abdicate to marry the love of his life.
(Image: BBC/Youtube)
After being exiled to France, Edward chose to go by the name of David, Duke of Windsor, while Wallis was titled Duchess of Windsor but was refused the HRH title.
33 years after his abdication, the couple gave a tell-all interview, similar to that of his great, great-nephew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
On the anniversary of his burial, we take a look back at the interview that sent shockwaves through the heart of the British Royal Family, including his niece, Queen Elizabeth II.
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking about her husband, Wallis said: “I think he was ahead of his time, I think he wanted to establish things that were a little not ready for them, really, perhaps.”
Edward said: “I wanted to be an up-to-date king, I didn’t have much time, I had lots of political conceptions but I kept them to myself, and that is the tradition of the Royal Family.
(Image: BBC/Youtube)
“To some extent, I did [collide with the establishment], not very violently, not in a bad way.
“Im being conceited but I think it might have helped the establishment too, it might have revived the thinking of the establishment.
“The establishment has a conservative aspect I think, I think it revivifies itself but I think it probably does need a little lead from the Monarch.”
(Image: BBC/Youtube)
Explaining what he meant by “the establishment,” he said: “The establishment was a new word to me until about 15 years ago when I heard it and asked people to explain it to me.
“It’s not an easy word to explain, it’s rather an obscure word but it must have always existed, I think it means authority, the authority of the law, of the church, the monarch to a certain extent.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Wallis was asked if the Windsors’ had any regrets over Edward’s decision to abdicate the throne in favour of love.
(Image: Popperfoto/Getty Images)
She said: “Oh about certain things, yes, I wish it could have been different.
“I mean, I’m extremely happy, we’ve had some hard times but who hasn’t? Some of us just have to learn to live with that… I think happiness is a great secret.”
Meanwhile, the late King said: “I have no regrets, I stay interested in my country, Britain, your land and mine, I wish it well.”
Stay up to date with the latest news in Showbiz and follow your favourite celebrities by signing up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
