Exploring "Letters From a Prince- Edward VIII to Freda Dudley Ward 1918-1921"

The story of an overlooked box of historical treasures and a dive into the first meeting between Edward Prince of Wales and his beloved Freda Dudley Ward.

Why This Book and These Letters

I stumbled across this book a few years ago and I had to have it. In the Editor’s Note at the beginning, we learn that the discovery of these letters happened completely by chance. Rupert Godfrey (the editor) and his wife were visiting friends and he was helping his friend sort through lots of old papers, stamps and items he had collected through the years, he opened a trunk full of letters and he felt suspicious that he might know who wrote them. At the time, he was reading Philip Zigler’s biography of Edward VIII so he knew who ‘Misses Dudley Ward’ was when he stumbled across the name. (Although fairly well known now, Freda Dudley Ward was very very discreet during the affair and although they remained close until his marriage to Wallis Simpson, it was a time where the media was not as intrusive as it is today. So most people would probably not have known about his longtime affair with Freda unless they ran in the same circles. Out of his mistresses, she is by far the hardest to find information on.) As for how Rupert’s friend got the letters? Apparently Freda’s ex-husband moved to Canada after their divorce and so it is likely her ex had the letters there with him. Rupert’s friend got the trunk from a co-worker, but as for how the co-worker got the trunk, it remains a mystery. After sorting through all of the letters, photos, cards, newspaper clippings, etc. Rupert photocopied everything and then set about transcribing the letters and putting together this masterpiece. 

To me, this book provides insight about a historical figure that we think we know. Everyone who is interested in British history has some knowledge of Edward VIII, the King who gave up the throne to marry an American divorcé. Elizabeth II’s Uncle. The Exiled King. The Duke of Windsor. The Brother in Law that the Queen Mother hated. Etc. What we are far less familiar with is who he was on the inside before all of those things. Can we understand his actions later in life by looking into who he was as a young man? Edward was in his early twenties when he became involved with Freda, and I believe that looking into this period of his life will provide us a much grater understanding of him. I am excited to dive into this early and more unknown part of his life and gain a better understanding of him both through his letters but also through discussion with all of you!