The First Royal Media War: Edward VIII, The Abdication and the Press

The abdication crisis of 1936 brought down the wall of silent deference that had protected the British royal family from press comment and intrusion since Queen Victoria. King Edward VIII was a child of the media age and the first celebrity monarch, but his personal popularity and support from media barons were not enough to save him from conflict with the conservative government. William Randolph Hearst in the US and Lord Beaverbrook in Britain plotted to install Wallis Simpson on the throne, but Edward was blocked from broadcasting his case directly to the public. The government treated the couple's media initiatives as declarations of war, and a cold war was fought behind the scenes. Edward fought to air his grievances and believed he was forced to abdicate by a coalition of reactionaries. He and Wallis were ostracized by his brother and sister-in-law, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and Edward tried to find authors who put over his side of the story. The establishment did its utmost to restrain Edward, but gradually members of the royal court fought back. The abdication challenged the British monarchy as an institution and led to today's no-holds-barred media environment where the royal family's issues are fought in a ruthless glare of worldwide attention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The abdication crisis of 1936 marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the British royal family and the press. Prior to this, the royal family had enjoyed a largely sheltered existence from press scrutiny and intrusion, thanks to the wall of silent deference that had been in place since the days of Queen Victoria. However, the rise of media and the emergence of King Edward VIII as the first celebrity monarch brought about a new era of media attention and scrutiny. Despite his immense personal popularity, created by his charm and good looks, King Edward VIII's conflict with the conservative government of the time proved to be his downfall. The support of powerful media barons, such as William Randolph Hearst in the United States and Lord Beaverbrook in Britain, did not suffice to save him from the consequences of his actions.

King Edward VIII was prevented from broadcasting his case directly to the public, which caused deep resentment and frustration. The government treated the couple's media initiatives as declarations of war and was prepared to respond savagely. The British press remained tactfully silent for the most part, but behind the scenes, a cold war was being fought. Edward fought tirelessly for the rest of his life to air his grievances against the ill-treatment he believed he had been subjected to. He believed that a coalition of reactionaries, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, had forced him to abdicate.

Edward resented bitterly the ostracism he and Wallis Simpson were subjected to by his brother and sister-in-law, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. He particularly objected to the refusal to grant his wife royal status, which he saw as a betrayal of his commitment to her. In an attempt to find support and validation, Edward sought out authors who would publish his memoirs and tell his side of the story. However, his efforts often resulted in farcical outcomes, as the authors he approached were often more interested in sensationalizing the situation than in presenting a fair and balanced account.

The abdication crisis of 1936 marked a significant turning point in the history of the British royal family and the press. It demonstrated the power of media and the influence of public opinion on the monarchy. It also highlighted the complex dynamics and tensions within the royal family, particularly between King Edward VIII and his family. Despite the challenges and setbacks he faced, Edward remained committed to his wife and his cause, and his legacy continues to be a subject of debate and fascination to this day.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 241 x 166 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399065412