Post by Diarist on Feb 28, 2017 5:38:30 GMT 1
The cabinet meeting was much shorter than I had expected it to be. The Prime Minister offered King Edward his condolences on behalf of the cabinet then explained the purpose of the meeting. King Edward's wish to remain in uniform and serve in the active army as King and Commander-in-Chief. He respects that wish and has asked Secretary Churchill to assign His Majesty an appropriate position within the MoD.
"King Edward has been offered to serve as Head of the War Office, a vacant position, but not as a cabinet minister. In addition he is the Commanding Officer of the Royal Parachute Regiment currently being formed in Colchester. He will be present at cabinet-level Defence Council meetings which will be held at the Ministry of Defence in future."
Winston then addressed the Cabinet explaining how King Edward is well qualified for the post because of his excellent work within TRADOC where he has been supervising several key secret projects. He also played an important role in preparing the Confederation proposal and gaining support from France, Belgium and Holland prior to the peace talks in Luxembourg last week. King Edward was granted permission to address the cabinet.
"Despite recent fortunes against Italy and Germany the dark clouds of war are approaching and the Empire is still threatened by the Soviet Union and Imperial Japan. Two formidable foes. My father, the late King George V, was very proud to serve as King during the Great War and I wish to follow in his footsteps in preparing for the next Great War as your King. I believe that I can contribute more as an active officer in the War Office, a view which is shared by the Prime Minister and Secretary Churchill. I realize that I had a reputation as a playboy prince with questionable romances but these days are behind me. In April last year I joined TRADOC, an assignment which changed me enormously." He explained further that his brother Prince Albert would move into Buckingham Palace to carry out the representational duties of the British Monarchy enabling him to concentrate on his military duties.
"My relationship with Mrs. Wallis Simpson has been put on ice until after the upcoming war has been fought and Britain has prevailed. After the war there will be a general election and I am asking that a referendum be held on the same day. The British people can decide whether I can marry Wallis Simpson so that she can become their Queen at my side. A simple yes or no question. If the people decide against a Queen Wallis I shall abdicate in favour of my brother Prince Albert."
I got involved when questions were being asked. "There have been many former Kings of England who have worn uniform and have fought wars in Europe and beyond. Secondly, King Edward and I have been working together in TRADOC and the Ministry of Defence. We both were part of the planning team for the operation against Italy last year and served together in East then North Africa. His invaluable support in preparing a response to a German attempt to remilitarize the Rhineland paved the way to Hitler's demise and a historic agreement with France and the post-Nazi Deutschland. I couldn't wish for a better colleague and friend."
Anthony Eden and John Simon added their support and after further praise from Stanley Baldwin a vote was held. The result wasn't unanimous but King Edward received overwhelming support with three cabinet members abstaining. We then prepared a statement for the press and that took longer than the cabinet meeting. Eventually we were finished and we returned to St. James's Palace. I changed into civilian clothes then after a late lunch Sally and I went to work. As you can no doubt imagine we were not in the mood to work.
"King Edward has been offered to serve as Head of the War Office, a vacant position, but not as a cabinet minister. In addition he is the Commanding Officer of the Royal Parachute Regiment currently being formed in Colchester. He will be present at cabinet-level Defence Council meetings which will be held at the Ministry of Defence in future."
Winston then addressed the Cabinet explaining how King Edward is well qualified for the post because of his excellent work within TRADOC where he has been supervising several key secret projects. He also played an important role in preparing the Confederation proposal and gaining support from France, Belgium and Holland prior to the peace talks in Luxembourg last week. King Edward was granted permission to address the cabinet.
"Despite recent fortunes against Italy and Germany the dark clouds of war are approaching and the Empire is still threatened by the Soviet Union and Imperial Japan. Two formidable foes. My father, the late King George V, was very proud to serve as King during the Great War and I wish to follow in his footsteps in preparing for the next Great War as your King. I believe that I can contribute more as an active officer in the War Office, a view which is shared by the Prime Minister and Secretary Churchill. I realize that I had a reputation as a playboy prince with questionable romances but these days are behind me. In April last year I joined TRADOC, an assignment which changed me enormously." He explained further that his brother Prince Albert would move into Buckingham Palace to carry out the representational duties of the British Monarchy enabling him to concentrate on his military duties.
"My relationship with Mrs. Wallis Simpson has been put on ice until after the upcoming war has been fought and Britain has prevailed. After the war there will be a general election and I am asking that a referendum be held on the same day. The British people can decide whether I can marry Wallis Simpson so that she can become their Queen at my side. A simple yes or no question. If the people decide against a Queen Wallis I shall abdicate in favour of my brother Prince Albert."
I got involved when questions were being asked. "There have been many former Kings of England who have worn uniform and have fought wars in Europe and beyond. Secondly, King Edward and I have been working together in TRADOC and the Ministry of Defence. We both were part of the planning team for the operation against Italy last year and served together in East then North Africa. His invaluable support in preparing a response to a German attempt to remilitarize the Rhineland paved the way to Hitler's demise and a historic agreement with France and the post-Nazi Deutschland. I couldn't wish for a better colleague and friend."
Anthony Eden and John Simon added their support and after further praise from Stanley Baldwin a vote was held. The result wasn't unanimous but King Edward received overwhelming support with three cabinet members abstaining. We then prepared a statement for the press and that took longer than the cabinet meeting. Eventually we were finished and we returned to St. James's Palace. I changed into civilian clothes then after a late lunch Sally and I went to work. As you can no doubt imagine we were not in the mood to work.