This week, we have a special guest, author Jane Tippett, who has written a new book about Edward VIII called Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII. Tippett discusses her book on the abdication crisis and the life of King Edward VIII. She talks about her research process and the surprising access she had to the Royal Archives. Tippett explores Edward’s role as a writer and the significance of his memoirs. She also addresses the controversy surrounding Edward’s relationship with Nazi Germany and dispels misconceptions. Tippett highlights the complex dynamics between Edward, his ghostwriter Charles Murphy, and figures like Winston Churchill. Overall, this interview and her book offer a fresh perspective on Edward’s life and the challenges prevailing in the narratives.

Links

• Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII on Amazon
• Abdication Crisis Article on Anglotopia
• Win a signed copy of Once a King
• Jane Tippett Official Website
• Edward and Mrs Simpson Drama
• The Royal Archives

Takeaways

• Author Jane Tippett had surprising access to the Royal Archives for her research on King Edward VIII and the abdication crisis.
• Edward’s memoirs, written with the help of ghostwriter Charles Murphy, offer a new perspective on his life and challenge prevailing narratives.
• Tippett dispels misconceptions about Edward’s relationship with Nazi Germany and highlights his role as an appeaser.
• Winston Churchill played a complex role in the abdication crisis and had a strained relationship with Edward during the writing of his memoirs.
• The book provides a fresh lens on significant moments in history and offers insights into Edward’s humanity and individuality.

Sound Bites

• “Edward’s memoirs offer a new perspective on his life and challenge prevailing narratives.”
• “Churchill’s role in the abdication crisis was complex and had implications for his own political career.”
• “One of the most surprising threads in the research was discovering Edward’s talent as a writer.”

Chapters

• 00:00 The Abdication Crisis and King Edward VIII
• 04:08 Charles Murphy: Shaping Edward’s Memoir
• 13:54 Edward’s Relationship with Nazi Germany
• 23:17 Edward’s Life in the Bahamas
• 25:17 The Fictionalized Portrayal of Edward’s Story
• 28:51 Edward’s Memoirs and Misconceptions
• 31:05 The Royal Family’s Reaction
• 32:57 Accessing the Royal Archives
• 35:39 Edward as a Writer
• 40:19 Winston Churchill’s Role
• 46:13 A New Perspective on Edward
• 47:00 Jane Tippett’s Next Book