Royal Revolutions, a Royal History Geeks podcast

The love affair between Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson could never have been a truly private matter.  But when their relationship began in 1934 few could have predicted that it would lead to Britain's most recent Royal Revolution. This is the first episode of our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936.  It forms season one of our "Royal Revolutions" podcast. Royal commentator James Taylor once again joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter.  They discuss:  - The upbringing and early life of Edward and Wallis - Life in the early twentieth century Royal family - George V and Queen Mary's parenting skills - The character, personality and limits of the dashing but dangerous Edward, Prince of Wales - The Prince's love affairs with Freda Dudley Ward and Thelma Furness - Wallis and Edward's meeting and early relationship - The King and Queen's reactions - Wallis and her husband Ernest's motivations for tangling with the Prince

Royal Revolutions is the brand new podcast from Royal History Geeks.  Season 1 focuses on the Abdication Crisis of 1936.In this bonus episode, Catherine Ibbotson - the "Historical Collaborator" - goes behind the scenes with Gareth and James (the show creators) to hear more about the background to the show and why they wanted to jump straight in to the drama of the 1930s.

The second part in our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936. Edward VIII ascends the throne and immediately begins a subtle but determined campaign to position Wallis Simpson as his consort. But even without the dangers posed by Wallis, Edward soon begins to ruffle feathers.  Among government, fears abound around the new King's reliability, capability and political instincts. This episode again sees Royal commentator James Taylor team up with RHG founder, Gareth Streeter to discuss the unfolding crisis.  It also features a guest interview with Adrian Phillips, author of "The King who had to go". We discuss:The circumstances of Edward's ascension and his immediate decision to break protocol by watching his own proclamation with WallisConcerns about the new King's reliability and work ethicThe early intervention of Cosmo Lang and Edward's relationship with this seasoned Archbishop of CanterburyThe politics of the 1930s and the circumstances that made Edward's German sympathies more difficult to manageA potential plot to assassinate the King?Wallis Simpson's first steps in divorcing her husband ErnestUnfortunately, there are a few moments in this episode where there is bit of feedback sound.  RHG apologies for this but wants to reassure you that such distractions only crop up a few times and last for just a few seconds. 

As the events of 1936 heat up, the King abandons the traditional Balmoral summer for a pleasure cruise of the Balkans.  The world media goes crazy for pictures of the King and Mrs Simpson.  The pressure begins to get too much for Wallis. In this episode, Royal commentator James Taylor joins RHG founder, Gareth Streeter to discuss: Churchill's "failure" to tell the King and Wallis what they want to hearEdward's "sulky" attitude toward his dutiesWhy someone, please, in the name of mercy, needs to think of the poor debutantesWhether Wallis was intelligentObservations of Edward and Wallis's behaviour on the Balkan trip, based on eye-witness testimonyWallis's attempt to break it all offThe King abandoning his duties to collect Wallis from Aberdeen stationGareth also embarks on a rant about Edward acting like a rebel within the system, rather than the head of the system with real agency to make change if only he had the courage to confront.

As Wallis Simpson awaits her divorce hearing, the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, pleads with Edward VIII to change course.  From that moment, the relationship between the King and Mrs Simpson becomes an official issue of government business and the event can truly be called a constitutional crisis.In the latest episode of our series on the abdication crisis, James Taylor and Gareth Streeter discuss:The King’s attitude toward the Prime Minister and the governmentWallis’s divorce and the falloutThe King’s dinner with Queen Mary, when he broke the news that he intended to marry Mrs SimpsonThe idea of a morganatic marriage and the attempts to find a compromiseA controversial speech by an obscure BishopThe breaking of the story in the pressWe were also joined by historian Adrian Phillips to learn more about Stanley Baldwin and his attitude toward the crisis.

When the story of the King's relationship with the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson broke in the British press, Edward VIII believed his abdication was inevitable.  But for a brief "moment" on the 4th and 5th of December, it looked as if a flicker of public support might light a path for his survival. In the latest episode of "Royal Revolutions", RHG founder Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator James Taylor discuss: Wallis's tumultuous escape from Britain to FranceThe motivations of the King's supportersThe media reaction and hints of public support for the KingWhy Harry Enfield ruined a teenage Gareth's life back in the 90sWallis's latest attempts to break it off with the KingThe King's planned broadcast appeal that never airedBaldwin's fears of the constitutional settlement being overturnedWinston Churchill's outspoken role in the crisisConcerns about the legality of Wallis's divorce We are again joined by historian Adrian Phillips who helps us make sense of what the so-called "King's Party" was.

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 crisisThe Duke and Duchess of York's fears as they prepare to assume powerThe beginnings of the Duchess of York's (later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) feud with Wallis SimpsonThe closeness between Edward VIII and Princess Mary, the Princess RoyalThe wayward Duke of Kent and how some thought he should be KingThe cool relationship between Henry, Duke of Gloucester and his eldest brotherThis episode also features comments by Elizabeth Basford, author of "Princess Mary: The First Modern Princess."

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 nightThe Duke of York and his last-minute preparations for the crownThe Cabinet's rush to prepare the legislation for AbdicationBaldwin's surprisingly spectacular Commons performance and the beginnings of the romantic myth of the crisisQueen Mary's subtle sign of support for the governmentThe arrangements for Edward's future including title and incomeEdward's master piece of a broadcast to the nationAlthough Edward has now left the throne, this is not the end of the series.  Next week we shall explore the aftermath.

The reign of King Edward VIII is over.  Now, the newly created Duke of Windsor begins his exile.  And painfully for him, 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 relocationA glimpse of happiness at the end of the worst year of Queen Mary's lifeThe controversy around the Windsor's wedding, the date and the lack of Royal attendanceThe (questionably legal) decision to deny Wallis the HRH styleThe Duke and Duchess's Nazi links and role in the warThe "snub" to the Windsor's at Princess Elizabeth's weddingThe ultimate death of the Duke and later the Duchess

In the final part of our series on the Abdication crisis of 1936, we answer your questions.With Royal History Geeks creator, Gareth Streeter and Royal commentator, James Taylor.