The former Edward VIII died in exile in 1972 estranged, disliked, and childless. But what if he hadn't- at least the not the latter? We do not know whether one or both of them had any "problems" preventing the couple from having children, and in any case Wallis was in her forties by the time she married the Duke, but let's handwave this away and assume that the Duke and Duchess have two children:
Lord William John Ernest Arthur Windsor (b. 1939)
Lady Alice Victoria Louise Alexandra Windsor (b. 1941)
Now, the letters patent for the Dukedom of Windsor specifically deny Wallis and any issue royal titles, so when William succeeds to the title in 1972 he shall simply be "His Grace the Duke of Windsor."
So the questions arise. What kind of upbringing shall these children receive? Shall they be educated at the traditional schools- Eton and the like, or shall their education follow their parents' continental lifestyle; Le Rosey does not look too unreasonable in such a scenario. In that vein, Oxbridge or elsewhere? It depends, I think, if children can change the popular view of the Windsors. The Royal Family was more than willing to let them drink and tan themselves to death in Mediterranean obscurity, an obscurity inherently compromised by the continuation of their line.
And what becomes of the Windsor line? The Duke and Duchess were not supported by the Civil List but rather George VI's personal allowance and some cash grants from time to time. In that case, there would be little to pass to the children besides the de facto title to the Villa Windsor in Paris, unless they were willing to pawn off their parents' possessions, which might rake in some £45 million, at most. In other terms, they (or at least Lord Albert) would have to work. But in what? Might we see the Duke of Windsor sit in the Lords?
Of course, one must wonder what kind of people these Windsor children would be. This is inherently difficult to predict, but might they be the fairly vapid sort that the Duke and Duchess were or might they be more "serious" people? Who would they marry? Would the Royal Family warm to them or shall they remain perpetual Continental outcasts?
Lord William John Ernest Arthur Windsor (b. 1939)
Lady Alice Victoria Louise Alexandra Windsor (b. 1941)
Now, the letters patent for the Dukedom of Windsor specifically deny Wallis and any issue royal titles, so when William succeeds to the title in 1972 he shall simply be "His Grace the Duke of Windsor."
So the questions arise. What kind of upbringing shall these children receive? Shall they be educated at the traditional schools- Eton and the like, or shall their education follow their parents' continental lifestyle; Le Rosey does not look too unreasonable in such a scenario. In that vein, Oxbridge or elsewhere? It depends, I think, if children can change the popular view of the Windsors. The Royal Family was more than willing to let them drink and tan themselves to death in Mediterranean obscurity, an obscurity inherently compromised by the continuation of their line.
And what becomes of the Windsor line? The Duke and Duchess were not supported by the Civil List but rather George VI's personal allowance and some cash grants from time to time. In that case, there would be little to pass to the children besides the de facto title to the Villa Windsor in Paris, unless they were willing to pawn off their parents' possessions, which might rake in some £45 million, at most. In other terms, they (or at least Lord Albert) would have to work. But in what? Might we see the Duke of Windsor sit in the Lords?
Of course, one must wonder what kind of people these Windsor children would be. This is inherently difficult to predict, but might they be the fairly vapid sort that the Duke and Duchess were or might they be more "serious" people? Who would they marry? Would the Royal Family warm to them or shall they remain perpetual Continental outcasts?
Last edited: