Movies About King Edward and Wallis Simpson
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A Royal Scandal Made into Movies
Face it, when something unexpected happens, we all love to watch, so when there is a royal scandal made into movies, we certainly watch them.
When Edward, Prince of Wales met Mrs. Wallis Simpson in 1931, no one knew the scandal that would ensue. Edward was heir apparent to the British throne, destined to be Great Britain's next king. Wallis Simpson was a married American woman who had been previously married and divorced.
When Edward became King, it was his affair with Wallis that caused Edward to give up his crown for, as he put it "...the woman I love." Check out the movies that have been made based on the story of Edward and Wallis and a few that contain snippets of their fascinating story.
Photo of the Windsors (Edward and Wallis) with President Richard Nixon in 1970 at the White House. Photo Source: United States Federal Government, Wiki Photos
When Edward, Prince of Wales met Mrs. Wallis Simpson in 1931, no one knew the scandal that would ensue. Edward was heir apparent to the British throne, destined to be Great Britain's next king. Wallis Simpson was a married American woman who had been previously married and divorced.
When Edward became King, it was his affair with Wallis that caused Edward to give up his crown for, as he put it "...the woman I love." Check out the movies that have been made based on the story of Edward and Wallis and a few that contain snippets of their fascinating story.
Photo of the Windsors (Edward and Wallis) with President Richard Nixon in 1970 at the White House. Photo Source: United States Federal Government, Wiki Photos
Edward, Prince of Wales (1894-1972)
Later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor
Edward, Prince of Wales
David, H.R. King Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor
Edward, Prince of Wales was born Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David in 1894. He was called David. His great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, reigned the British Empire at the time of his birth. His parents Duke and Duchess of York would become King George V and Queen Mary.When Queen Victoria died in 1901, the Duke of York became King George V. Prince Edward became next in line to the throne.
In 1931, Edward was introduced to Wallis Simpson, a married American woman living with her husband in London. They became closer in 1934 and began an exclusive relationship. His father, the King, died in January 1936, and Edward was crowned King.
In 1936, after reigning as King of England for 11 months, he abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced woman. He and Wallis visited Germany before the war against the advice of the British government. To keep him from further association with Germany, he served during World War II as Governor of the Bahamas. This was his last assignment and he then retired, mostly to France. Edward died in 1972 in France at age 77.
His titles through his life follow:
born: His Highness Prince Edward of York
1911, age 17: Prince of Wales
January - December 1936, age 42: King Edward VIII
December 1936 to his death: His Royal Highness (H.R.H.) Duke of Windsor
Photo Source: Edward, Prince of Wales, 1932, age 38, German Federal Archive, Wiki Photos
"I have found it impossible to
carry the heavy burden of
responsibility, and to discharge
my duties as King as I would wish
to do, without the help
and support of the woman I love."
~His Royal Highness Prince Edward
(Former King of England,
later known as HRH Duke of Windsor)
King Edward VIII with Friends on a Raft, Riviera, 1933
Wallis Warfield Simpson
The woman he loved
Bessie Wallis Warfield was born in Pennyslvania in 1896. Her father died later that same year. She and her mother then lived with wealthy relatives in Baltimore. She first married Wen Spencer in 1916. They divorced in 1927. She then married Earnest Simpson in 1928 in London.Wallis was introduced in 1931 to Edward, Prince of Wales, through a mutual friend. In 1934, Wallis and Edward's relationship became closer. By 1936, when King George V, Edward's father died, they were in an exclusive relationship. She divorced her husband, and she and Edward planned to marry. There was a little glitch. If the King married a divorced woman, he could no longer remain King. King Edward VIII abdicated the throne and he and Wallis married in 1937 in France. Wallis died in 1986 at age 89. She and Edward were buried side by side near Windsor Castle.
Photo Source: Wiki Photos
King Edward VIII at His Desk in St. James's Palace, London
What do you think about the Edward/Wallis affair?
Do you think King Edward and Wallis Simpson should have been allowed to marry?
Yes, why not?
KimGiancaterino says:
The rules could have been relaxed a bit, I think.
LauraFincannon says:
It's far more romantic that he gave up everything to be with her.
MiddleSister says:
Yes.
Heather426 says:
I don't see why not. The rules of kings are ridiculous in some ways.
No, that's not very kingly behavior.
melissiaoliver says:
Absolutely not, because it was going against all of the laws and conventions of the time, and all for Edward's personal satisfcation rather than for any public good. Having said that, I'm glad he abdicated, because George VI made a far better King than Edward would have.
JimDickens says:
The man was born into royalty in a country where royalty is still respected. He only qualified for the position by being born in the right order to the right person. It would seem that the least he could do was respect the position.
Cercis says:
Very tacky. Immature on Edward's part and grasping on Wallis' part.
joycetmann says:
No. Societies start to break down when the rules get broken. Also, there are suspicions that Edward and Wallis had strong Nazi ties.
MaxReily says:
I think at that time, it would have been impossible for him to remain King and marry her. Times are different now, but then, no way!
CruiseReady says:
I think he should have fulfilled his duty, and she should have understood
vallain says:
There's a rather morbid fascination to seeing someone so privileged go off the tracks. Makes good fodder for movies though.
Prince Albert Becomes King George VI
Secedes his brother as king
During his reign as King, the British Empire dissolved and the Commonwealth of Nations took its place. King George VI reigned as King of England from 1936 until his death in 1952. He was 56 years old. His daughter Elizabeth became queen at age 26 and remains Queen of England today.
The movie The King's Speech was based on King George VI (Bertie).
Photo Source: Matson Photo Service, Wiki Photos
King George VI of England and British Queen Elizabeth in Coronation Robes, London, May, 1937 (first photo)
Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, London, 1949 (second photo)
Edward & Mrs. Simpson
1978 TV Miniseries
This 1978 TV miniseries is 200 minutes long and stars Edward Fox as Edward and Cynthia Harris as Wallis.
The DVD includes the A&E Biography show "Wallis Simpson."
I watched this movies and the A&E Biography. I found it very entertaining and educational.
The DVD includes the A&E Biography show "Wallis Simpson."
I watched this movies and the A&E Biography. I found it very entertaining and educational.
To Catch A King
1983 Movie
This movie is set in 1940 during World War II involving a plot to kidnap the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
The Woman He Loved
1988 TV Movie (and book)
Jane Seymour played Wallis and Anthony Andrews played Edward in this 1988 TV movie.
Bertie and Elizabeth
2002 TV Movie
In Bertie and Elizabeth, Edward was played by Charles Edwards and Amber Sealey played Wallis.
I watched this movie about King George (Bertie) and thought this was a good portrayal of the scandal of King Edward and Wallis Simpson.
I watched this movie about King George (Bertie) and thought this was a good portrayal of the scandal of King Edward and Wallis Simpson.
Wallis and Edward
2005 Movie
The 2005 movie Wallis and Edward stars Joely Richardson as Wallis and Stephen Campbell Moore as Edward. This was a TV movie that showed events from Wallis's point of view.
Any Human Heart
2010 TV Series
In this 2010 TV series centered around a novelist who meets Ernest Hemingway, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (played by Tom Hollander and Gillian Anderson), and more. I just watched this series and it was fabulous! I did not recognize Gillian Anderson at all.
Upstairs, Downstairs
2010 TV Miniseries
Emma Clifford plays Wallis Simpson in the sixth season of the 2010 TV miniseries of Upstairs, Downstairs.
British Royalty for sale on eBay
The King's Speech
2010 Movie
Guy Pearce played Edward and Eve Best played Wallis in The King's Speech. Also starring were Colin Firth as Bertie/King George VI and Helen Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth.
I watched this movie and loved it! I must say Guy Pearce is the most handsome of all of the actors to play King Edward that I've seen so far.
I watched this movie and loved it! I must say Guy Pearce is the most handsome of all of the actors to play King Edward that I've seen so far.
The King Speaks
The true story behind the film (The King's Speech)
I just watched this BBC documentary, The King Speaks. It detailed the true to life story behind the movie The King's Speech. Other students of Lionel Logue were interviewed and spoke about their stuttering and how Mr. Logue helped them as he did King George VI. It was very educational and entertaining to see the actual king giving the actual speeches shown in the movie starring Colin Firth as King George VI.
Books About King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson
In case you'd rather read all about it
Edward VIII -- The King Who Abdicated
Lines from The King's Speech,
just a couple of brothers
shooting the breeze:
Bertie, not yet King George VI:
David? I've been trying to see you.
King Edward VIII: I've been
terribly busy.
Bertie/King George VI: Doing what?
King Edward VIII: Kinging.
W.E.
2011
Thanks to GetFactsnotHype for letting me know about this King Edward/Wallis Simpson movie. I haven't seen it yet but it's on my list!
Books About Wallis Simpson
Wallis, the Duchess of Windsor
Have a favorite movie?
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paul goldston-randell
Share your take on the Prince who became King who became a Prince again.
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GetFactsnotHype
Feb 12, 2012 @ 11:20 pm | delete
- There is a fairly new movie that was released titled W.E. and subtitled Masterpiece, and one of the songs from the movie won a Golden Globe award, which was pop icon Madonna's.
She also was involved in the making of the film itself with 2 others. In Madonna's one win for music song not music score, she thanked Harvey Weinstein (in her speech) for believing in her and her film, even though it did not get nominated for best picture or best direction - but hey it did get some attention.
I added this page of yours under the section Other British Learning Pages when I featured this lens on mine seen here http://www.squidoo.com/royalandprincessthemedfun
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Cercis Feb 9, 2012 @ 8:06 pm | delete
- From everything I've read and seen, I've come to the understanding that Edward was a very immature man who never really grew up. Your compilation of films and books was excellent. Personally, I would have liked to have sen them more towards the beginning of your lens.
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MaxReily
Dec 10, 2011 @ 7:58 pm | delete
- I've always been fascinated by their story. Rumors abound, but I guess we'll never know the real truth. I'd like to hope they lived happily ever after....
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bosie
Sep 8, 2011 @ 12:52 pm | delete
- Great lens. Being English myself I found it very interesting - The King's Speech is one of my alltime favorites
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lasertek
Sep 7, 2011 @ 7:31 pm | delete
- He made the right decision of giving up the throne. He knew she would make him happy.
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KimGiancaterino Sep 6, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
- Oops, forgive my lousy typing. I meant compilation.
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- Thanks for this great compliation of films. I'm also a Guy Pearce fan.
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scarlettohairy Sep 6, 2011 @ 11:20 am | delete
- Oh boy, Guy Pearce was wonderful in The King's Speech as King Edward. Thanks for the Angel blessing!
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LauraFincannon
Sep 5, 2011 @ 8:22 pm | delete
- Romantic and frankly, when all is said and done, his brother probably was better suited for the job. Things have a way of working out.
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happynutritionist Sep 5, 2011 @ 11:13 am | delete
- I'm too old fashioned to feel good about someone falling in love with another when they are married...though it happens, it does make a mess of things as it should if not put aside for what is right. JMHO I did enjoy The King's Speech and was glad George became King.
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I love watching historically based movies
like the ones based on King Edward and Wallis Simpson.
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by scarlettohairy
I love biographies. I usually read the books but when I stumbled across the story of King Edward VIII, I have been watching as many movies about King... more »
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