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Royal Wives at War

A revealing documentary looking at the abdication crisis of 1936 through the eyes of the two women at its very heart, in a series of dramatised monologues set in 1967.

A revealing new look at the abdication crisis of 1936 through the eyes of the two women at its very heart. In a series of dramatised monologues set in 1967, Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Wallis Simpson look back at the dramatic events which led to King Edward VIII giving up the throne for the woman he loved.

Combining drama reconstructions, archive footage and a chorus of acquaintances and biographers, Royal Wives at War returns to some of the original words and opinions of the two women at the heart of that battle and unravels the story of a frosty relationship between the Queen Mother and Wallis that lasted for decades.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 22 May 201803:00

Credits

RoleContributor
DirectorTim Dunn
ProducerKate Shiers
Executive ProducerEamon Hardy
WriterLindsay Shapero
PresenterRichard Harrington
Elizabeth, Queen MotherEmma Davies
Wallis SimpsonGina McKee
Edward VIIINick Waring
George VIJohn Sackville
Thelma FurnessEmma Campbell-Jones
ParticipantHugo Vickers
ParticipantLady Colin Campbell
ParticipantJohn Julius Norwich
ParticipantAndrew Morton
ParticipantAnne Sebba
ParticipantKate Auspitz

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Jan 201621:00
  • Sat 9 Jan 201621:30
  • Fri 15 Jan 201600:05
  • Tue 19 Jan 201601:15
  • Mon 21 May 201821:00
  • Tue 22 May 201803:00