Queen Elizabeth II ‘broke Edward VIII’s heart’ when she denied his ‘dying wish’

The Queen denied her “favorite uncle” – the Duke of Windsor – his dying wish just 10 days before his death, a new documentary shows.

At the age of 46, Elizabeth II famously visited Edward VIII at his and Wallis Simpson’s home in Paris, France, during the former king’s final days, and apparently declined his request to grant his wife an HRH title .

The late royal, who died in 1972, had abdicated the throne in 1936 for love of Wallis, who was American and divorced.

Speaking on The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, which airs April 20 on ITVX, Julie Alexander, the Duke’s nurse, said the rejection “broke his heart.”

“He was terribly ill,” she said. “He couldn’t have weighed—maybe 80 lbs, if that… wasn’t eating at all.

“The duke was very concerned about his appearance, but he insisted that he sit upright in a chair, not in bed, and wear clothes to hide any tubes.”

The visit, while melancholic in nature, also marked the first time that Wallis had hosted the late monarch.

“The Queen said no,” Julie continued. “She said no, even on that sad day. It was, you know, breaking his heart, I think. That’s what he wanted… that title for her. Not having that title for his wife was a slap in the face.’

The visit that took place in May, 51 years ago, was also shown on Netflix The crown.

Elizabeth spoke only to ‘Uncle David’ – as he was known to close family – before appearing with just the Duchess for a photo. The Duke died on May 28, less than a month before his 78th birthday.

Edward’s relationship with Wallis, who had been married twice before committing to him, was a scandal when news first broke.

The late royal, who died in 1972, had abdicated the throne in 1936 for love of Wallis, who was American and divorced

Edward’s relationship with Wallis, who had been married twice before committing to him, was a scandal when news first broke. Elizabeth, Wallis and Edward pictured in 1967

His proposal to marry her – while divorce proceedings with her second husband were still ongoing – led to a constitutional crisis culminating in Edward’s decision to abdicate.

After his abdication, Edward was made Duke of Windsor by his brother – the new King George VI – and was styled His Royal Highness.

However, after their marriage in 1937 and the decision to settle in France, Edward was upset by the King’s decision to issue Letters Patent, denying Wallis the style of Her Royal Highness.

Edward received a tax-free allowance from his brother, somewhat maintaining his and Wallis’ lavish lifestyle.

It’s because last summer a historian claimed that Edward chose to abdicate because his father’s treatment of him had made him a “rebel” who lacked the “self-discipline” to be king.

Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, which is sponsored by the Daily Mail, historian Professor Jane Ridley said the royal family’s shock decision to step down stemmed from the fact that his father had made “no attempt” to prepare for kingship.

After their marriage in 1937 and the decision to settle in France, Edward was upset by the King’s decision to issue Letters Patent, denying Wallis the style of Her Royal Highness.

She said she showed no affection or praise for him and made no effort to “build a relationship,” which had “rather bad consequences” in the long run and was one of the “key factors leading to the abdication.”

As a result, while Elizabeth and her father King George VI are “famous” for diligently reading official government papers, Edward’s would “come back with wine stains and cigarette burns,” said Professor Ridley.

She added that Edward felt his role was “a waste of time” and that this was “largely” a “reaction to his father who bullied him.”

Edward spoke of his childhood and his father in his 1951 autobiography, A King’s Story, in which he claimed that the concept of duty was “drilled” in him.

However, Professor Ridley said that Edward and his brothers, including the future King George VI, were “terrified” of their father.

“He yelled at them for things like being five minutes late for dinner. They would be sent back to their bedrooms,” she said.

Edward spoke of his childhood and his father in his 1951 autobiography, A King’s Story, in which he claimed that the concept of duty was “drilled” in him. Pictured giving his abdication speech

Speaking on The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, which airs April 20 on ITVX, Julie Alexander, the Duke’s nurse, said the rejection “broke his heart.” Pictured, Elizabeth and her uncle, Edward, in 1933

The Duke died on May 28, less than a month before his 78th birthday. Elizabeth, Wallis and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured at Edward’s funeral

“It’s bad enough to be scolded by your father, but it’s even harder when your father is the king. These four princes have been raised to fear their father.’

She added, “George made no attempt to prepare his son for kingship. Being king in a conventional way. So his son rebels against him and rebels against his idea of ​​kingship.

“George V and the current Queen are known for turning over their red boxes of documents within hours of receipt and being punctual, conscientious and diligent.

‘I think there is quite a lot of, not always exciting, work that they have to do.

“With Edward VIII, the documents would come back from his place in Windsor… they would come back with wine stains on them and cigarette burns.

It was pretty obvious he wasn’t respecting all the rules about discretion, and he just thought it was a waste of time.

“I think a lot of that started as a reaction to his father bullying him. He thought his father was a foolish old thing, and he became what he was, a rebel, Edward VIII.’

“When he became king, he realized he didn’t want to do it. Couldn’t. Didn’t have the self-discipline to do it,” she added.

After his abdication, Edward was created Duke of Windsor by his brother and styled His Royal Highness.

After being criticized in 1937 for meeting Adolf Hitler in Germany, Edward and Wallis spent much of their time throwing lavish parties and traveling between Paris and New York.

The full series is available on Thursday 20 April on ITVX