EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A highly important T.L.S., Edward, two pages, 4to, Boulevard Suchet, Paris, 13^th March 1939, to Lord Beaverbrook ('My dear Beaverbrook'), on the Duke's personal monogrammed stationery, marked 'Private and Confidential' and with four holograph additions to the text. The Duke announces 'I feel it both important and urgent to draw your attention to the comments on the Duchess and myself which appeared in the Londoner's Log of yesterday's issue of the "Sunday Express"' and adds that while he appreciates the general tone of the article, it contained two definite misstatements which 'confuse the whole situation', further explaining 'Knowing that it is not your intention that anything published in your newspapers should create a false impression which could react adversely upon the Duchess and myself, I think that you may wish to dispel the one created in yesterday's Sunday Express, as soon as and in whatever form you judge to be consistent with "good timing" and dignity.' The Duke continues 'Of course you know as well as I do, that it is for no other reason than for fear lest the attitude my mother and sister-in-law seem likely to adopt towards my wife may provoke some controversy in England and adverse criticism of them in America, that I have been advised to postpone our projected visit to England this Spring, until after the King and Queen's official journey to Canada and the United States. In accordance with the policy of playing my brother's game, I have agreed to another postponement, but, believe me, for the last time.' He concludes 'I know I need not stress the highly confidential nature of this letter, or the grave danger of the information it contains ever being traced back to me. But as I look upon you as one of our staunchest supportest (sic) I am anxious that you should know the truth.' Together with an enclosure originally accompanied by the letter, being a typescript of the two misstatements contained in The Londoner's Log of the Sunday Express which the Duke refers to in his letter, and with his responses, in full, '1. "He lives as a refugee in France not because of the laws of England prevent his return, but because he wishes to do so". While the Duchess and I have received the greatest courtesy in all the countries, especially France, where we have resided since our marriage, I have not lived out of England for over two years by preference. It is true that there exists no law to prevent my returning to my country whenever I wish to do so, but I have remained away out of deference to my brother in order to leave the field clear for him to establish himself on the throne, which it is admitted he has succeeded in doing. 2. "The Duke has set his own conditions of return. He requires that the Duchess of Windsor shall be accorded the title of Royal Highness, and that she shall be received by both the Queens. Until these requests are granted, the Duke has announced that he will not set foot in England". I have never made any such announcement nor would I ever set conditions upon my return to England. Regarding the two stipulations I am alledged (sic) to have made, I wish to say firstly, that while naturally the matter of witholding (sic) the title of Royal Highness from the Duchess is an insult which I as her husband and a member of the Royal Family have always resented far more deeply than she has, we have too many other more important interests to worry over such a triviality. Secondly, whatever may be the behaviour of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth towards the Duchess, it would in no way affect any plans we might make for going to England.' A letter of truly remarkable historical content written in the years following King Edward VIII's abdication and subsequent marriage to Wallis Simpson, and demonstrating that the Duke was under absolutely no illusions as to the attitudes of his mother, Queen Mary, and sister in law, Queen Elizabeth, towards the Duchess of Windsor. Each with two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, and with a very slight, extremely minor paperclip rust stain to the upper left corner of the first page. Otherwise VG

Max Aitken (1879-1964) 1^st Baron Beaverbrook. Anglo-Canadian business tycoon, politician & writer, owner of the Daily Express and London Evening Standard newspapers.