Just started following your podcasts. I’m particularly interested in the one about the Abdication of Edward VIII. You may be interested to know that papers released by the Public Records Office are throwing new light on the matters surrounding the abdication. It seems that the Baldwin Government (perhaps on the instruction of the Duke and Duchess of York) misled Edward as to the acceptability of the morganatic marriage. Many of the papers relating to the abdication are still being held as secret at the request of the royal family as they may tarnish the reputation of the late Queen Mother. What is clear is that she was driving force behind attempts to cut Edward off from the UK, enforcing his exile and attempting to stop any payment to the King after his abdication. Evidence is slowly pointing to the Yorks using Wallis Simpson as an excuse to usurp the Crown. The abdication is also interesting in that if we apply the same logic to the monarchy today, then constitutionally Charles should not be allowed to become King. If the abdication terms were then applied to Charles the crown should pass not to William but the Andrew, the current Duke of York. Andrew’s divorce could, then stand in his way making Edward the next legitimate king. Of course, the current government will find constitutional expert who will make the case for Charles to rule, however, the unpopularity of the Duchess of Cornwall may have some bearing on the ultimate outcome.

Enough of my ranting. Keep up the good work
Jan Goulding (who works in a Scottish History department)
UK