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The Duchess of Windsor
An intimate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Diana Mosley was a frequent guest at their parties in Paris, or at 'the Moulin' in Orsay, where they were neighbours. Written in her inimitable style Diana Mosley paints a remarkable portrait of her friend that is also realistic with regards to her flaws. What was it about her that utterly captivated the heir to the throne and made him renounce it when he became King? It is this question which Diana Mosley seeks to answer and which she is perhaps better qualified to answer than anyone else, given her marriage to Sir Oswald Mosley, Leader of the British Fascists.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 15, 2020
I read this due to a combination of low motives; I read a great deal about Edward & Wallis back in 2002, and found it interesting how various biographers split on whether their relationship was The Romance of the Century or actually a very entitled powerful person throwing tantrums until he got what he wanted. Which is harsh, yes, I know, but there is a reasonable amount of evidence that Wallis really did not want to marry him but ended up backed into a corner due to male tears. My previous reading combined with my dark fascination with Diana Mosley and her terrible opinions such that I was really curious to see her take on the entire situation -- especially as she knew the people involved personally.
So what was her take? Basically that Wallis loved being maitresse en titre to the Prince of Wales, but did not, in fact, want to marry him, as queen or otherwise. Mosley, of course, sees the thing as something of a tragedy, and hastens to deplore the terrible, terrible behaviour of the royal family towards Edward & Wallis, and to explain that the Windsors weren't really dear friends with Hitler because *she* was friends with Hitler and he would have mentioned them. Which is just -- something -- pretty much the exact something that makes me darkly fascinated. I think it is Mosley's absolute disinterest in the judgement of history or reality; she really does not care what anyone else thinks about her life choices or her relationships, and it carries over into her writing about the Windsors. In her version of their life Wallis made the best of a bad situation, as women ought to do, and once she got over the whole Abdication thing she was a devoted wife and Edward was a clingy, dependent, needy husband (as men are, Mosley seems to suggest) and they lived together in peace and harmony, the only thing marring it all is that for some reason the royal family wouldn't invite them back home.
I don't know, I can't really recommend it, but I was curious and now my curiosity is fulfilled.
So what was her take? Basically that Wallis loved being maitresse en titre to the Prince of Wales, but did not, in fact, want to marry him, as queen or otherwise. Mosley, of course, sees the thing as something of a tragedy, and hastens to deplore the terrible, terrible behaviour of the royal family towards Edward & Wallis, and to explain that the Windsors weren't really dear friends with Hitler because *she* was friends with Hitler and he would have mentioned them. Which is just -- something -- pretty much the exact something that makes me darkly fascinated. I think it is Mosley's absolute disinterest in the judgement of history or reality; she really does not care what anyone else thinks about her life choices or her relationships, and it carries over into her writing about the Windsors. In her version of their life Wallis made the best of a bad situation, as women ought to do, and once she got over the whole Abdication thing she was a devoted wife and Edward was a clingy, dependent, needy husband (as men are, Mosley seems to suggest) and they lived together in peace and harmony, the only thing marring it all is that for some reason the royal family wouldn't invite them back home.
I don't know, I can't really recommend it, but I was curious and now my curiosity is fulfilled.
March 2, 2014
This can only be described as very average. I don't know a great deal about this part of English history but I do believe this to be a very sympathetic portrayal of Wallis Simpson and her love, Edward VIII.
The author, a personal friend of the Duchess, was always going to gloss over any flaws in this story. She uses Wallis' own memoirs to tell the story of her life, marriages and end.
WWII is mentioned, very briefly really, brushed under the carpet perhaps?
I must try to find a more balanced bio of this couple, this woman and discover the actual truth behind their story.
The author, a personal friend of the Duchess, was always going to gloss over any flaws in this story. She uses Wallis' own memoirs to tell the story of her life, marriages and end.
WWII is mentioned, very briefly really, brushed under the carpet perhaps?
I must try to find a more balanced bio of this couple, this woman and discover the actual truth behind their story.
August 25, 2014
This is not good. Diana Mitford might be interesting to read about, but I'm not keen on her writing here. This is an annoyingly gushing account of a friend, so hardly an impartial look at Wallis Simpson's life. Confusingly written, with huge gaps and other irrelevant information. Also, I thought the many photographs would add something to the book, but they were used so often that it really disrupted the flow of what I was reading. Not recommended.
September 10, 2014
Kindle ebook is littered with typos and formatting issues. Its terrible.
Was an interesting read, I found out more about Wallis family and background. The first part was well written and interesting. However the last section was gushing and far more thrown together. There were too many repeats of dull details about the household.
The main issue is the terrible proof reading in the ebook
Was an interesting read, I found out more about Wallis family and background. The first part was well written and interesting. However the last section was gushing and far more thrown together. There were too many repeats of dull details about the household.
The main issue is the terrible proof reading in the ebook
January 10, 2021
This is a tricky one to review...honestly can't say which of them I like less...Diana or Wallis?
I admit I have a somewhat morbid curiosity as to why he gave up the throne for her, so whenever a book shows up on the topic I read it....and no, I'm not jealous, frankly I think David was a delusional self entitled coward.
However, and because I have always pretty much intensity disliked Wallis Simpson, I stayed clear of books on her, till this one showed up written by the most (in)famous of the Mitfords, Diana Mosley herself.
I have read other things written by Diana and enjoyed them (sometimes a lot), however this one left me frankly befuddled....did Diana even like Wallis, if yes was she trying to be respectful of her friends privacy...or if not, why the bloody hell did she ever write this? It reads at times like she can't make up her mind of what to think/make of her subject.
I am left befuddled that's really all I can say.
Not a good option to be introduced to either Wallis or David, this is only worth it if you've read everything else and (unlike me) actually like Wallis Simpson....
Happy Readings!
I admit I have a somewhat morbid curiosity as to why he gave up the throne for her, so whenever a book shows up on the topic I read it....and no, I'm not jealous, frankly I think David was a delusional self entitled coward.
However, and because I have always pretty much intensity disliked Wallis Simpson, I stayed clear of books on her, till this one showed up written by the most (in)famous of the Mitfords, Diana Mosley herself.
I have read other things written by Diana and enjoyed them (sometimes a lot), however this one left me frankly befuddled....did Diana even like Wallis, if yes was she trying to be respectful of her friends privacy...or if not, why the bloody hell did she ever write this? It reads at times like she can't make up her mind of what to think/make of her subject.
I am left befuddled that's really all I can say.
Not a good option to be introduced to either Wallis or David, this is only worth it if you've read everything else and (unlike me) actually like Wallis Simpson....
Happy Readings!
October 9, 2025
Biased? Gushing certainly. It is interesting to read from the viewpoint of a friend. The first half, her early life, was interesting, and the second half seemed to be more about the Duke than the Duchess.
You learn nothing new about the abdication, really, and Diana Moseley is not, as I have said before, the best writer from the Mitford clan. The best bit is the photos.
You learn nothing new about the abdication, really, and Diana Moseley is not, as I have said before, the best writer from the Mitford clan. The best bit is the photos.
November 25, 2018
Well written, sympathetically told
An interesting, absorbing read written by someone who knew the Windsors well. It is refreshing to hear the Duchess of Windsor being talked about so positively and the explanations of the personalities of the Duke and Duchess jive with some of the more modern viewpoints of their relationship
An interesting, absorbing read written by someone who knew the Windsors well. It is refreshing to hear the Duchess of Windsor being talked about so positively and the explanations of the personalities of the Duke and Duchess jive with some of the more modern viewpoints of their relationship
August 24, 2024
Writing came naturally to Diana Mitford Mosley, whose formidable intellect and extraordinary life resulted in a ream of published volumes: book reviews, memoirs, essays, diaries - even her letters to various friends and relatives had such readability and were of such historical value they were published in volume after volume.
This biography of the Duchess of Windsor, like the author's other works, makes no claim of impartiality - she wrote what she thought, through the filters of her own direct experience and famously individualised world view.
There were many more academically penned biographies of the Duchess of Windsor, but none by authors who knew her, whose personal life she had been a part of. Such is the value of this contribution to the massive Wallis Simpson canon.
I could read anything by Diana Mitford Mosley, having a natural bias for seeing her works in a positive light. The most engaging of her writings, as has been noted by various critics of this biography, are indeed to be found elsewhere.
This is perhaps not the book a Wallis Simpson novice reader might turn to for the dry history, any more than being one a novice Diana Mitford Mosley reader might initiate themselves with - it is simply an impassioned addendum to the author's countless other literary contributions and a qualified last word to Simpson's infinite detractors.
This piece has the uniqueness of being penned by a longstanding friend, a natural authority on elements of the woman more formal biographers could not capture. Others also wrote from a more negative bias, a key agenda behind this author's wish to set certain records straight about the woman beneath the unkind myths popular history has wrapped her in.
Diana Mitford Mosley was renowned for speaking her mind on contentious topics, few topics being more so than the Duchess of Windsor. Being a fan of this author and an avid historian, there was never the faintest possibility of my disliking this biography - though I can appreciate how the uninitiated Mitfordian may find it underwhelming, as may those seeking out meatier documentations of this polarising subject.
The touching intimacy of this book's penmanship, with its tributary endnotes, is what sets it apart from less biased Duchess of Windsor biographies. It was almost certainly never meant to be of as much academic value as other Simpson biographies, being pointedly more about setting certain public records straight from an insider's perspective.
All these things considered, this book's harshest critics are, in their blinkeredness, simply missing the most fundamental reasons for its existence. It being far from the first Wallis Simpson biography or first Diana Mitford Mosely piece I have read, my expectations were shaped accordingly.
I read it in one night and admired it for exactly what it is - the eloquent narrative of a loyal friend.
This biography of the Duchess of Windsor, like the author's other works, makes no claim of impartiality - she wrote what she thought, through the filters of her own direct experience and famously individualised world view.
There were many more academically penned biographies of the Duchess of Windsor, but none by authors who knew her, whose personal life she had been a part of. Such is the value of this contribution to the massive Wallis Simpson canon.
I could read anything by Diana Mitford Mosley, having a natural bias for seeing her works in a positive light. The most engaging of her writings, as has been noted by various critics of this biography, are indeed to be found elsewhere.
This is perhaps not the book a Wallis Simpson novice reader might turn to for the dry history, any more than being one a novice Diana Mitford Mosley reader might initiate themselves with - it is simply an impassioned addendum to the author's countless other literary contributions and a qualified last word to Simpson's infinite detractors.
This piece has the uniqueness of being penned by a longstanding friend, a natural authority on elements of the woman more formal biographers could not capture. Others also wrote from a more negative bias, a key agenda behind this author's wish to set certain records straight about the woman beneath the unkind myths popular history has wrapped her in.
Diana Mitford Mosley was renowned for speaking her mind on contentious topics, few topics being more so than the Duchess of Windsor. Being a fan of this author and an avid historian, there was never the faintest possibility of my disliking this biography - though I can appreciate how the uninitiated Mitfordian may find it underwhelming, as may those seeking out meatier documentations of this polarising subject.
The touching intimacy of this book's penmanship, with its tributary endnotes, is what sets it apart from less biased Duchess of Windsor biographies. It was almost certainly never meant to be of as much academic value as other Simpson biographies, being pointedly more about setting certain public records straight from an insider's perspective.
All these things considered, this book's harshest critics are, in their blinkeredness, simply missing the most fundamental reasons for its existence. It being far from the first Wallis Simpson biography or first Diana Mitford Mosely piece I have read, my expectations were shaped accordingly.
I read it in one night and admired it for exactly what it is - the eloquent narrative of a loyal friend.
March 14, 2014
Dreadful.
March 12, 2017
Surprised how badly written this was.
Biased in the extreme as well.
Biased in the extreme as well.
October 12, 2022
🔻 Genre: Biography.
👁 Point of view: Third person.
🖊 My review: :When this book was first published, the Duchess of Windsor was still alive, but she never saw the book. Her heart was beating, therefore she was alive, but she was fed artificially and supposed to be unconscious of her surroundings. . . . Nobody knows whether people in this distressing condition can think at all, whether they dream, whether they have nightmares.”
And so begins this informative, yet somewhat dry, memoire of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor that was written by a close friend of the Duchess, Diana Mitford Mosley (of the famous Mitford Sisters). What I got out of this memoire is that the Duchess “preferred little pastiche ‘furniture pictures’ to great art;” she “was superstitious, she loved lucky charms and dreaded evil omens;” and she “wanted only blonde people round her; she thought they brought her luck.” Moreover, Wallis and Edward “both ate very little and when they were alone the food was plain, grilled lean meat, salad and fruit. They were keen weight-watchers.”
found herself in a pickle with a man she really did not like so much – (David) Edward, the Duke of Windsor – but what could she do? The man abdicated his throne for her. Or maybe a better way to put it, he abdicated the throne for a less responsible life, and Wallis was the means to achieve that. My thought as I read this book is that he did not want the life and responsibilities of being the King and Emperor of India, and Wallis Simpson was handy enough to trap. And, such as I mentioned, they were stuck with each other in a dreadfully lavishly boring life.
“You can't always get what you want, but . . . you'll find you get what you need,” as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote. And the Duke and Duchess got that.
🔥 Dénouement: A little sad.
🔲 Excerpts :
The Duke was sent to The Bahamas during The War to work as the governor. I double-checked the following statement about The Bahamas, and just as I remember, they are actually a part of the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies:
The couple hobnobbed with politicians, such as FDR:
🖋 The writing style: Dry, yet not so much to be a turn- off.
🗝 What I learned: Not much, since I remember the Duke and Duchess when they were alive, and it seems they were always in the news and newspapers. The pair seems to have been a lonely couple, despite the throngs of people and so-called friends around them.
💫 What I like best: The black and white photographs.
📌 Would I read this again? Maybe.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟
◼️ Fun fact: Wallis Simpson lived in Pensacola, Florida for a while, when she was married to her first husband.
🏮Media form: Kindle Unlimited version.
👁 Point of view: Third person.
🖊 My review: :When this book was first published, the Duchess of Windsor was still alive, but she never saw the book. Her heart was beating, therefore she was alive, but she was fed artificially and supposed to be unconscious of her surroundings. . . . Nobody knows whether people in this distressing condition can think at all, whether they dream, whether they have nightmares.”
And so begins this informative, yet somewhat dry, memoire of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor that was written by a close friend of the Duchess, Diana Mitford Mosley (of the famous Mitford Sisters). What I got out of this memoire is that the Duchess “preferred little pastiche ‘furniture pictures’ to great art;” she “was superstitious, she loved lucky charms and dreaded evil omens;” and she “wanted only blonde people round her; she thought they brought her luck.” Moreover, Wallis and Edward “both ate very little and when they were alone the food was plain, grilled lean meat, salad and fruit. They were keen weight-watchers.”
found herself in a pickle with a man she really did not like so much – (David) Edward, the Duke of Windsor – but what could she do? The man abdicated his throne for her. Or maybe a better way to put it, he abdicated the throne for a less responsible life, and Wallis was the means to achieve that. My thought as I read this book is that he did not want the life and responsibilities of being the King and Emperor of India, and Wallis Simpson was handy enough to trap. And, such as I mentioned, they were stuck with each other in a dreadfully lavishly boring life.
“You can't always get what you want, but . . . you'll find you get what you need,” as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote. And the Duke and Duchess got that.
🔥 Dénouement: A little sad.
🔲 Excerpts :
The Duke was sent to The Bahamas during The War to work as the governor. I double-checked the following statement about The Bahamas, and just as I remember, they are actually a part of the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies:
🔸 “The Bahamas are a group of islands which geographically form a continuation of the Florida keys.”
The couple hobnobbed with politicians, such as FDR:
🔸 The Windsors went fairly often to Washington, and lunch[ed] one day at the White House with President Roosevelt . . .”
🖋 The writing style: Dry, yet not so much to be a turn- off.
🗝 What I learned: Not much, since I remember the Duke and Duchess when they were alive, and it seems they were always in the news and newspapers. The pair seems to have been a lonely couple, despite the throngs of people and so-called friends around them.
💫 What I like best: The black and white photographs.
📌 Would I read this again? Maybe.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟
◼️ Fun fact: Wallis Simpson lived in Pensacola, Florida for a while, when she was married to her first husband.
🏮Media form: Kindle Unlimited version.
November 2, 2022
An intriguing and melancholy memoir. One of the last lines of the book are a quote from the former Wallis Simpson herself: ‘Kings haven’t much of a part to play nowadays.... He (her husband, the Duke) will be spoken of for a long time to come—because of me!’ She's perfectly right, of course, particularly in the minds of most Americans. I don't remember much about the man who became king after the Abdication (I may have watched a movie about his speech impediment?), and I wasn't really even sure the name of the Abdicator himself, to be honest! But rest assured I knew the name Wallis Simpson.
Other reviewers have noted that the author was a close friend of the Windsors and claim that this is a flattering, rosy portrait of them as a result. I can't say I agree. The descriptions of Wallis strike me as rather stark at times: obsessed with her appearance, devoid of her own creative interests outside of making other people happy, and naive to the complexities of politics in a constitutional monarchy. I hope I receive no such compliments from my friends after my death. That said, this was a poignant, humanizing book focussed on the domestic reality rather than the political ramifications of a relationship that changed the face of the monarchy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Other reviewers have noted that the author was a close friend of the Windsors and claim that this is a flattering, rosy portrait of them as a result. I can't say I agree. The descriptions of Wallis strike me as rather stark at times: obsessed with her appearance, devoid of her own creative interests outside of making other people happy, and naive to the complexities of politics in a constitutional monarchy. I hope I receive no such compliments from my friends after my death. That said, this was a poignant, humanizing book focussed on the domestic reality rather than the political ramifications of a relationship that changed the face of the monarchy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 31, 2019
Lady Mosley has a distinctly different point of view
I seriously doubt most of this work.. whilst Wallis was no doubt not all bad areas of her life have definitely been whitewashed into a more palatable version. Little reference made to the Duchesses own letters which clearly show that she only ever loved one man.. Herman..
Funny how she manages to twist the situation with the Nazi Party into a mere nothing.. and Wallis' behaviour towards Edward in his latter years, when she was flaunting herself at nightclubs with Jimmy, into another 'nothing'. We also gloss over her ignoring Edward whilst he was dying reported by more than one nurse who was caring for him. Anything inconvenient has been ignored or forgotten from this heavily biased account of her life, including her own mother's and Aunts opinions. I am however intrigued by Mosley and wonder how she would explain her own behaviour before and during the second world war. Surely she can't gloss over her own interaction with Hitler quite so blatantly as she does the Windsor's.
I seriously doubt most of this work.. whilst Wallis was no doubt not all bad areas of her life have definitely been whitewashed into a more palatable version. Little reference made to the Duchesses own letters which clearly show that she only ever loved one man.. Herman..
Funny how she manages to twist the situation with the Nazi Party into a mere nothing.. and Wallis' behaviour towards Edward in his latter years, when she was flaunting herself at nightclubs with Jimmy, into another 'nothing'. We also gloss over her ignoring Edward whilst he was dying reported by more than one nurse who was caring for him. Anything inconvenient has been ignored or forgotten from this heavily biased account of her life, including her own mother's and Aunts opinions. I am however intrigued by Mosley and wonder how she would explain her own behaviour before and during the second world war. Surely she can't gloss over her own interaction with Hitler quite so blatantly as she does the Windsor's.
October 15, 2020
Wallis is always interesting to read about.
Lady Moseley writes well and does her research. The subject matter of King Edward VIII, his love affair with Wallis Simpson and subsequent abdication and marriage to her, a twice divorced American is endlessly fascinating. The author traveled in the same social and political circles as the two and spent much time with them later in their lives. So her somewhat sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of them comes from personal experience and observation as well as many interviews with others who knew them intimately. This bothers some readers but I found it quite heart warning and showed another more admirable side to how Mrs. Simpson is usually portrayed. She obviously had something that kept the ex-king happy, devoted to her until his death and worth the sacrifice he made. I recommend this book to all who seek a more well rounded portrayal. It makes a good case that they were not in the thrall of Hitler and Naziism.
Lady Moseley writes well and does her research. The subject matter of King Edward VIII, his love affair with Wallis Simpson and subsequent abdication and marriage to her, a twice divorced American is endlessly fascinating. The author traveled in the same social and political circles as the two and spent much time with them later in their lives. So her somewhat sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of them comes from personal experience and observation as well as many interviews with others who knew them intimately. This bothers some readers but I found it quite heart warning and showed another more admirable side to how Mrs. Simpson is usually portrayed. She obviously had something that kept the ex-king happy, devoted to her until his death and worth the sacrifice he made. I recommend this book to all who seek a more well rounded portrayal. It makes a good case that they were not in the thrall of Hitler and Naziism.
January 23, 2021
I've never been particularly sympathetic to the story of the Windsors' great love. Dumping your responsibilities on your brother while you swan off to live a life of leisure amongst the beau monde (not to mention hobnobbing with Hitler) seemed to me more disgraceful than romantic. This book changed my mind somewhat. It is a highly sympathetic portrait of the Windsors, written by a friend who exposes them to only the softest light. Maybe it's an accurate portrayal, maybe it isn't. I really don't know enough to say, but it did give me a different perspective, even on the Hitler angle (although given the author's own history—her husband was the leader of the British Union of Fascists and they were both imprisoned during World War II as suspected Nazi sympathizers—she might not be the most reliable narrator.) Overall, the book is interesting—if a little too anecdotal to be really informative—but it whetted my appetite for a more in-depth biography.
October 19, 2017
As one reviewer put it, this book was "Irresistible. One Controversial expat on another". And on a simpler level, it's one friend sticking up for another, trying to set the record straight about a person who was misjudged. From either perspectives I found myself taking it with a grain of salt, but it was nevertheless an engaging read, offering a peep into the private life and love of two very public people, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It was quite fascinating to hear Diana Mosley's analysis not only of the two central characters but also of their families and the famous supporting cast who played a role in the events leading up to the King's abdication, and beyond. She offers a unique point of view and has that Mitford gift of writing so informally as to make reading effortless. I noted with interest that the book was published the same year as Mosley's death.
May 2, 2021
Por muitas razões esta é uma das histórias do Mundo que me agrada e me diz muito!
Quanto ao livro, só duas coisas a apontar: uma delas é o não desenvolvimento e o não aprofundar da vida da Duquesa de Windsor,embora entenda que por ter sido escrito por uma amiga não quisesse entrar demasiado na vida pessoal da Duquesa...Mas para um leitor sabe sempre melhor quando a biografia é mais extensa e aprofundada!A outra coisa a apontar tem a ver com a própria edição...um terço do livro em fotografias... haveria mesmo a necessidade de "encher" o livro?Passa a ideia de que queriam atingir um certo número de páginas... E será agradável um cuidado maior numa próxima edição devido ao elevado número de gralhas e falta de cuidado na construção frásica...Todavia, aconselho a quem se interessar pelo tema!
Quanto ao livro, só duas coisas a apontar: uma delas é o não desenvolvimento e o não aprofundar da vida da Duquesa de Windsor,embora entenda que por ter sido escrito por uma amiga não quisesse entrar demasiado na vida pessoal da Duquesa...Mas para um leitor sabe sempre melhor quando a biografia é mais extensa e aprofundada!A outra coisa a apontar tem a ver com a própria edição...um terço do livro em fotografias... haveria mesmo a necessidade de "encher" o livro?Passa a ideia de que queriam atingir um certo número de páginas... E será agradável um cuidado maior numa próxima edição devido ao elevado número de gralhas e falta de cuidado na construção frásica...Todavia, aconselho a quem se interessar pelo tema!
September 10, 2019
Knowing what is known about Diana Mitford and Wallace Simpson, particularly their fondness for Hitler and all he stood for in the war and the years leading up to it, this book comes off like a sycophant’s dream. It is charming, however, to see a friend attempt to white wash the pages of history. It was enjoyable just to realize I was looking through the lens of that friendship and the desire for the Duchess to fare well through the pages of history.
March 10, 2020
2.5
This was a clearly bias account of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and a light tough time line of their lives.
I was expecting there to be a bit more of a focus on the Duchess as she is the title of the book... I understand the driver for including information of the Duke though to give context to their story.
I just found it a bit of a slog and a bit lack lustre - which is unusual as this is an intriguing time in British history.
This was a clearly bias account of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and a light tough time line of their lives.
I was expecting there to be a bit more of a focus on the Duchess as she is the title of the book... I understand the driver for including information of the Duke though to give context to their story.
I just found it a bit of a slog and a bit lack lustre - which is unusual as this is an intriguing time in British history.
August 19, 2020
I enjoyed this humanizing and interesting memoir of the Duchess of Windsor. Who can not be fascinated by the American divorcee who stole a king’s heart?
Things are not so different today from what they were back then. In our time, a prince has used the skirts of an American wife to escape the boredom and constraints of the life he was born to.
In the end, there is not much difference between the Duke of Windsor and the former HRH Harry.
Things are not so different today from what they were back then. In our time, a prince has used the skirts of an American wife to escape the boredom and constraints of the life he was born to.
In the end, there is not much difference between the Duke of Windsor and the former HRH Harry.
December 10, 2021
Ok
Not sure if my opinions changed but my one question unanswered is how did she manage for money before she married and after she left her second husband as she seemed to travel all over without working and yet portrayed as poor and also another question is was she having an affair while she was married with the king while she was married to Mr Simpson. Also did she want children and how did they manage for money all their life. The duke I presume was living off savings.
Not sure if my opinions changed but my one question unanswered is how did she manage for money before she married and after she left her second husband as she seemed to travel all over without working and yet portrayed as poor and also another question is was she having an affair while she was married with the king while she was married to Mr Simpson. Also did she want children and how did they manage for money all their life. The duke I presume was living off savings.
July 28, 2023
A Fascist’s view of a trivial person in a pivotal time.
Lady Mosley was a prominently pro-Hitler. Her chummy book about the Duchess of Windsor is fawning and sycophantic. It leaves out the outrageous affair with vin Ribbentrop, their sending servants back through occupied France to get their things, being married in a place owned by a nazi spy (whom they didn’t even know). Etc, etc
Lady Mosley was a prominently pro-Hitler. Her chummy book about the Duchess of Windsor is fawning and sycophantic. It leaves out the outrageous affair with vin Ribbentrop, their sending servants back through occupied France to get their things, being married in a place owned by a nazi spy (whom they didn’t even know). Etc, etc
June 26, 2018
I am always up to reading anything written about the Duchess of Windsor, always hoping for a new angle. While I appreciated that this was written by a friend, and kindly biased towards the duchess, disappointingly, there was nothing new to learn. In fact, it was rather hollow in that had I not read other sources, I wouldn't have felt I understood the Duchess of Windsor at all.
August 31, 2019
I have always been curious about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; who were they really? For this reason I was keen to read this book written by their friend. I was hoping to get another perspective to their lives, but unfortunately this turned out to be a very light and superficial book. Still an amazing love and live story!
January 14, 2021
I’ve read a lot about these two as it has always fascinated me there story . I felt this was very sympathetic to them but I suppose that’s not a surprise as Diana was a friend of there’s .. not sure how I feel about it didn’t really tell me much I didn’t know about them and not sure it’s a Hal as need read without bias in it .
August 12, 2022
I have always had an interest in the abdication story. The read was interesting but the typos drove me a little crazy (small detail I know) and it is clear the author was a friend of Wallis so it is slanted from the beginning. The photos throughout I enjoyed and the historical element dealing with Hitler and that time period were also a good read.
May 7, 2023
This was definitely written from the viewpoint of a socialist leader's wife and her advantageous friendship with the Duke and Duchess Of Windsor; quite possibly the only publication I've read that paints a rosey glow over their time spent with Hitler, Jimmy Donahue, and their idealic post war life together.
June 1, 2020
Diana Mosley, Girl Fascist
Here’s the potboiler calling the kettle black. Mosley, wife of the infamous blackshirt fascist, writes a money-making memoir of another notorious woman, the Duchess of Windsor. Not so anymore. They’re both like characters in a bad paperback romance.
Here’s the potboiler calling the kettle black. Mosley, wife of the infamous blackshirt fascist, writes a money-making memoir of another notorious woman, the Duchess of Windsor. Not so anymore. They’re both like characters in a bad paperback romance.
August 31, 2020
A small thing which made this book particularly enjoyable - rather than continually flicking to pictures in the centre of the book, the pictures are included throughout the text which makes them so much easier to appreciate.
October 14, 2020
Very enjoyable. Nice to read a biography from some one who actually knew the Windsor’s. I am glad the British monarchy had changed their views. You can look through out history at the forced marriages and inter marrying to see what it did the the future generations.
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