1. The King's Matter

Stanley Baldwin and Cosmo Lang are determined that Edward VIII will not turn back the clock and impose his will on the governance of England by marrying the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

If Edward and Mrs Simpson were to have their way, the Church of England would suffer disestablishment and the national government would collapse.

In essence, this is the story of two men determined to persuade the King from a marriage they feel is not only unsuitable - but also wrong.

Starring Jim Broadbent, Hugh Ross and Anthony Calf.

Christopher Lee’s exploration of Edward VIII’s abdication crisis.

Stanley Baldwin ...... Jim Broadbent
Cosmo Lang ...... Hugh Ross
Edward VIII ...... Anthony Calf
Lord Beaverbrook ...... Mark Straker
Chaplain ...... Michael Jayston
Mary ...... Kika Markham

The concluding episode is told from the point of view of Wallis Simpson, as imagined from the memoirs of those based with her in the south of France at that time.

Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.