The Secret File of the Duke of Windsor

by Michael Bloch

In this brilliant and authoritative work, based on their private correspondence and papers, Michael Bloch describes the feud which developed between the Duke of Windsor and the British royal establishment after the Abdication, the humiliations which were suffered by the ex-King and his wife, and the plots to ensure that they remained in exile.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Rho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting tale of the developments of the Duke and Duchess in their own words and letters. It is decidedly pro Windsors. The author admits in the preface to the book that this is a one-sided account meant to "rehabilitate" the duchess's reputation; however, he failed miserably. However, this book fills in more of the space relating to the abdication and the events following. At the end of the day, these were two very shallow, selfish people. They lived selfish lives and spent hundreds of millions of dollars over their life time on parties, clothes, travel and drink even as they always complained about how poor they were and their need to economize. The French government levied no taxes on any of their royalties or income. He did Great Britain a big favor by abdicating.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started to read this book, but put it aside after 160 pages. I was very disappointed, because after spending $12, it was so biased and not the interesting read I had expected.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up for 2.00 and always thought it would be interesting historically to read the story of the abdication of the throne and what life was like for them. Netflix of course has "The Crown" and I have watched that too. This book was a bit dry to get through but I still enjoyed the human part of the story. Tragic as it was. Now we have Meghan and Harry wanting to step away as well from the demands of being in the Royal Family and history is being made again. I hope for Harry and Meghan it will be a journey that will bind them together and that their love will remain strong as it did with Wallis and David.

[Leah Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and an insight into the Royal Family. They can really hold a grudge!

[Cathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well! I have a lot of thoughts about this one. Here I was, expecting this book to be another re-hash of Edward VIII's abdication back in 1936 BUT NO! At first I was dreading reading this because I knew the author was sympathetic to the Windsors. But I was riveted, especially to the chapters where the negotiations for the Duke's annual payment were concerned, and also the chapter on the ridiculous and exasperating back-and-forth regarding the Duchess' title. The section on their five-year stint of service in the Bahamas was a real eye-opener as well. Yes, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were shallow, materialistic and snobs. BUT they really were treated quite shabbily by the Royal Family and the Court. His brother promised him £25,000 a year and dithered about it for almost FOUR YEARS! The Duke eventually ended up with £10,000 a year. The HRH title issue for Wallis was fascinating but, as an American, kind of beside the point and borderline silly/petty, for me. But they were never allowed to return to England on a permanent basis (except in death...) I think that's just awful.

The book reproduces many letters, and cringe-y letters between the Duke and Duchess, most of which I had already seen in other books. This book shows letters where Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mother) was referred to as "Cookie" by the Duke and Duchess. But it was not explained why. It seems like a cute name for her, right? This was omitted from the book: because they both deemed Elizabeth common like a Scottish cook! Ugh, "that woman", am I right? And they referred to young Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) as "Shirley Temple" and used the snobby terms "Mrs. Temple and Mrs. T. Junior" as code words for them. Not nice people at all. And yet... a lifetime of exile? Like I said, lots of thoughts!

[Teresa A. Mauk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book in that it dissects the abdication process from the beginning and reprints the letters the Duke of Windsor wrote to the Royal Family and to Wallis over the years. Nothing terribly new in Bloch's recount of events, although he seems to be trying to paint the Windsors in a much more positive light than the Royal Family.

[Andrea Morawczynski-byron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drifters

I enjoyed reading the personal correspondence between the duke and duchess. In a way, it lessoned the villain stigma imposed on them. I thought the ending to the book was a bit abrupt considering the amount of detail throughout the whole book.

[Erin McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a detailed ad very honest and readable account of the Duke.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A melancholic world-wind life, expertly shared.

[Khaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf because the author really beat the dead horse in certain topics. By the time I got out of the era directly after the abdication I was so over the topic 😂