Post by Diarist on Nov 19, 2016 5:48:51 GMT 1
Back at the MoD I called my father first at the bank to enquire about his Iran/Kuwait visit after I had departed. I then called Edward at TRADOC and asked if he could go with me to visit Rolls-Royce and their Merlin customers tomorrow. We also arranged to meet at our house this evening after working hours. I then drove to Colchester to visit George Patton at his Brigade HQ. I told him about the accelerated creation of the 5th Armoured Division and asked if he would like to command one of the brigades. I warned him that it'll be a combat command and I haven't had it cleared at the MoD yet. He definitely wants a command even if he has to wear British uniform again. I then called Sally at home warning her that I'll be home in ca. 45 minutes and Edward may be staying for dinner.
When I arrived home Edward was already there and Wallis would be arriving soon. "Edward, you and I need to talk. Let's go to my office." I asked him about King George's health and recounted my conversation with Stanley Baldwin. "I consider us the best of friends so please excuse me for me being somewhat blunt but does Prince Albert want to be King? Is this a Princess Elizabeth intrigue? But most of all, do you want to be King?"
"That's a lot of questions, Bob. First, I know of no palace intrigue and second, I do want to be King."
"Well, the Prime Minister says there is opposition to Wallis being 'Queen' but that's probably the Church of England getting involved there."
"That's correct, Bob."
"Do you have a plan?"
"A plan?"
"It sounds like you'll have to choose between the Crown or Wallis so do you have a plan to get both?"
"No I don't."
"Going back to Rome is out of the question although King Umberto might put in a good word for us with the Pope. Umberto owes us a favour."
"Forget that plan, Bob." Amazing that we're joking about this.
"Right. Then Plan B. You stay in uniform in an active role and you don't get engaged or marry Wallis until after the war has been won. After that nobody would care because I believe that the next war will radically change the world as much as the last one did. Wallis is still married so an engagement has to wait anyway."
"That's true but how can I be Major Wales in TRADOC and King of England at the same time?"
"You don't. You'd be at least a Major Windsor. Let me think for a moment. My brain's whirring like crazy. Could you be a Soldier King, Commander-in-Chief, in Windsor and there be a Prince Regent Albert in Buckingham Palace doing all the representation duties? Doing everything that doesn't involve the Armed Forces or preparing for war?"
"I believe we could find a precedence somewhere."
"Then let's try it. We can visit John Gort and here his opinion, but after dinner. I'm famished."
"I'm hungry, too but please call Lord Gort first. I think that's a promising plan."
So I called John Gort and arranged to meet him at the Club later this evening. Needless to say that we had an interesting conversation while eating dinner. Wallis was unusually quiet.
When I arrived home Edward was already there and Wallis would be arriving soon. "Edward, you and I need to talk. Let's go to my office." I asked him about King George's health and recounted my conversation with Stanley Baldwin. "I consider us the best of friends so please excuse me for me being somewhat blunt but does Prince Albert want to be King? Is this a Princess Elizabeth intrigue? But most of all, do you want to be King?"
"That's a lot of questions, Bob. First, I know of no palace intrigue and second, I do want to be King."
"Well, the Prime Minister says there is opposition to Wallis being 'Queen' but that's probably the Church of England getting involved there."
"That's correct, Bob."
"Do you have a plan?"
"A plan?"
"It sounds like you'll have to choose between the Crown or Wallis so do you have a plan to get both?"
"No I don't."
"Going back to Rome is out of the question although King Umberto might put in a good word for us with the Pope. Umberto owes us a favour."
"Forget that plan, Bob." Amazing that we're joking about this.
"Right. Then Plan B. You stay in uniform in an active role and you don't get engaged or marry Wallis until after the war has been won. After that nobody would care because I believe that the next war will radically change the world as much as the last one did. Wallis is still married so an engagement has to wait anyway."
"That's true but how can I be Major Wales in TRADOC and King of England at the same time?"
"You don't. You'd be at least a Major Windsor. Let me think for a moment. My brain's whirring like crazy. Could you be a Soldier King, Commander-in-Chief, in Windsor and there be a Prince Regent Albert in Buckingham Palace doing all the representation duties? Doing everything that doesn't involve the Armed Forces or preparing for war?"
"I believe we could find a precedence somewhere."
"Then let's try it. We can visit John Gort and here his opinion, but after dinner. I'm famished."
"I'm hungry, too but please call Lord Gort first. I think that's a promising plan."
So I called John Gort and arranged to meet him at the Club later this evening. Needless to say that we had an interesting conversation while eating dinner. Wallis was unusually quiet.