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Once a King

The revelatory unpublished memoir of Edward VIII: a fascinating insight into the King, the Royal Family and pre-WW2 England

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Once a King

By: Jane Marguerite Tippett
Narrated by: Esther Wane, Gregory Cox
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'ASTONISHING' THE DAILY MAIL
'STRIKING' THE SUNDAY TIMES
'RADICAL' TATLER

Described by The Telegraph as 'Edward's truth', Once a King is the never-before-seen and unfiltered story of King Edward VIII, the original royal renegade, who abdicated his throne and left the royal family to pursue his own destiny.

Fifteen years after having abdicated the throne to marry the woman he loved - Wallis Simpson - King Edward VIII, now the Duke of Windsor, published his memoirs. But whilst preparing the manuscript for his published and mostly ghostwritten book - which, unlike Prince Harry's autobiography Spare, largely avoided controversy - the Duke also produced a private manuscript for posterity. This was written in his own words and with an uninhibited frankness.

Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII reproduces this uncrowned King's previously unseen writing, including much that he could or would not write for publication in 1951. Jane Marguerite Tippett weaves together Edward's writing alongside newly uncovered interviews with the Duke and Duchess, diary entries from ghostwriter Charles Murphy and other sources. Together this forms an extraordinary new portrait of one of the most famous characters in modern royal history and his recollections and innermost feelings, particularly around the abdication of 1936.©2023 Jane Marguerite Tippett Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty Memoir Divorce
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This book sheds fascinating new light on Edward and Wallis as Tippett examines the writings and notes of their biographer, Charles Murphy. Murphy worked with them in the 1940s and 1950s and developed a friendship during this time. From Murphy's notes we hear directly from Edward and Wallis as they reflect on their romance and the abdication. Painting the broader scene are quotes from the powerful people exerting influence: The Royal Family and courtiers, politicians, the Establishment, the Media, the Church and, to a lesser extent, the general public, Both Edward and Wallis appear as more sensitive and thoughtful than biographies have suggested although, because this book is confined largely to Murphy's work, many important topics are not covered. This is a book for anyone who has already read biographies of Edward and Wallis and is interested in their perspectives in their own words. The question of Edward's 'pro-Nazi' views is covered. The lingering perennial question is - when does an ardent peace activist become a collaborator.

The book holds interest from first to last page and is well written and well paced. It is a pity that both Tippett and her editor missed the class when hanging participles were taught. Both narrators do an excellent job.

A very important book

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Well written, factual, honest and at times eye opening.

I absolutely loved this book, shows a human side to a part of history that was glossed over previously, and now seems all but forgotten.

If only modern members of the royal family had the same respect and dignity shown by Edward.

Well worth it

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