The Woman He Loved

The story of King Edward VIII and The Woman He Loved has been told on two levels, the romantic and the geopolitical. This production starring Anthony Andrews as Edward and Jane Seymour as Wallis Warfield Simpson prretty much opts for the romance.

There is a political angle here though that is barely hinted at. You'll see it in a brief conversation with Andrews and David Waller as Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin where Baldwin tells him Germany is rearming and that will be a big problem for his successor. Andrews says while he is king there will be no British soldiers dying on a European battlefield. Something Hitler counted on.

The Prince of Wales and his lady were big favorites with the Cliveden set of British appeasers. After their wedding in France the Duke and Duchess of Windsor did the grand tour of Europe Hitler rolled out the red carpet for them and had he conquered the Unite Kingdom he would have restored Edward VIII to the throne.

But we love to concentrate on the great romance at least on this side of the pond. If thst's what you want here it is for you.

Andrews and Seymour are a fine royal pair. And making what was her farewell appearance is Olivia deHavilland as Wallis's Aunt Bessie who was her confidante.

If Wallis Warfield Simpson had listened to Aunt Bessie the whole course of history might have changed.