"Impossible to carry" - part 7 of our series on the Abdication crisis

01/28/25 • 73 min

After six weeks of build up, it is finally time to explore the actual Abdication of Edward VIII - the only truly voluntary surrendering of the throne in history.

It this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor explore:

The "last supper" where the Prime Minister tries to convince the King to stay but is denied a bed for the night
The Duke of York and his last-minute preparations for the crown
The Cabinet's rush to prepare the legislation for Abdication
Baldwin's surprisingly spectacular Commons performance and the beginnings of the romantic myth of the crisis
Queen Mary's subtle sign of support for the government
The arrangements for Edward's future including title and income
Edward's master piece of a broadcast to the nation

Although Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series. Next week we shall explore the aftermath.

After six weeks of build up, it is finally time to explore the actual Abdication of Edward VIII - the only truly voluntary surrendering of the throne in history.

It this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor explore:

The "last supper" where the Prime Minister tries to convince the King to stay but is denied a bed for the night
The Duke of York and his last-minute preparations for the crown
The Cabinet's rush to prepare the legislation for Abdication
Baldwin's surprisingly spectacular Commons performance and the beginnings of the romantic myth of the crisis
Queen Mary's subtle sign of support for the government
The arrangements for Edward's future including title and income
Edward's master piece of a broadcast to the nation

Although Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series. Next week we shall explore the aftermath.

Previous Episode

"A pretty kettle of fish" - part 6 of our Abdication crisis series

In this episode we pause the continuity of the crisis to take a look at how the events of 1936 affected members of the Royal family.
Despite it having huge repercussions on their lives, Britain's premier pedigree were not major players in the crisis (apart from the King, of course). However, this is a ROYAL history podcast so we wanted to take a moment to look at events from the family's vantage point.

In this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss:

Queen Mary, her background and reaction to the crisis
The Duke and Duchess of York's fears as they prepare to assume power
The beginnings of the Duchess of York's (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) feud with Wallis Simpson
The closeness between Edward VIII and Princess Mary, the Princess Royal
The wayward Duke of Kent and how some thought he should be King
The cool relationship between Henry, Duke of Gloucester and his eldest brother

This episode also features comments by Elizabeth Basford, author of "Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess."

Next Episode

"Why is he so weak?" Part 8 of our series on the Abdication crisis

The reign of King Edward VIII is over. Now, the newly created Duke of Windsor begins his exile. Painfully for Edward, he must wait several long months before he can make Wallis his Duchess. This episode briefly explores the aftermath of the Abdication crisis.

During this episode, RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor explore:

The immediate 'logistics' around the Duke's relocation
A glimpse of happiness at the end of the worst year of Queen Mary's life
The controversy around the Windsor's wedding, the date and the lack of Royal attendance
The (questionably legal) decision to deny Wallis the HRH style
The Duke and Duchess's Nazi links and role in the war
The "snub" to the Windsor's at Princess Elizabeth's wedding
The ultimate death of the Duke and later the Duchess