The Queen Mother’s determination to keep her distance from Wallis Simpson is well known, with Her Majesty once writing a letter describing the American socialite as a ‘’naughty lady’.
The description of Wallis came in a letter penned by Elizabeth to her own mother-in-law, Queen Mary. In it she writes ‘’relations are already a little difficult when naughty ladies are brought in’’, adding ‘’and up to now, we’ve not had the lady at all’’.
In the years running up to the Abdication in December 1936, Wallis Simpson was an increasing presence at the side of Elizabeth’s brother in law, Edward. The couple’s intense relationship became an increasing concern behind palace doors and the new programme looks at how Elizabeth reacted as it became clear that Edward would give up his throne to marry for love.
Wallis Simpson
Speaking in a Channel 5 documentary, author Jane Ridley described the influence Elizabeth had over the Windsors once her husband had become King George VI and she was queen consort.
She told the documentary ‘Queen Mum: the Reluctant Queen’ that the former Edward VIII always believed his family would come to his wedding to Wallis, which took place at the Chateau de Cande in 1937, but would end up saying ‘I do’ without them.
The Queen Mother by Allan Warren
Ms Ridley said ‘’that was very much the work of..Queen (Elizabeth)..she thought it would be very wrong for the king to extend his approval towards his brother’’.
The programme also heard the words of royal biographer, Philip Ziegler, who shed some light on conversations he himself had with the Queen Mother. He said: ‘’I remember saying to her once, why have you been so resolute in keeping the Windsors out of Britain? She said ‘’you can’t have two kings, can you?’’
