The Queen

In the new series of The Crown, the Queen is seen visiting the Duke of Windsor (as Edward VIII became on his abdication) just a few weeks before his death. Although the series does take some liberties with historical fact, this meeting did take place and the Duke did make considerable efforts to get off his sickbed to greet his niece-monarch as a subject should. This event is described in Robert Lacey’s The Queen.

The book, according to the author

I think she has given the crown a lease of life that nobody expected – rather surprising us by proving the strength and importance of the monarchy. In my latest book on the Queen, I quote one of her private secretaries who says: “The function of the monarchy is to roll out a carpet of happiness.” That is what we are seeing in the Jubilee year. There is also the more serious matter of how our constitutional monarchy is currently presiding over a coalition government, which is new to most of us in the 21st century.

He [the Duke of Windsor] clearly felt that Elizabeth understood and embodied all the dignity of the monarchy. I have a story in my book about how he pulled himself together in his dying days, when Elizabeth went to see him while she was in France. He insisted on getting dressed and bowing to her, even though he was being kept alive with tubes which had to be concealed under his clothing.

Best Books on Queen Elizabeth II, interview with Robert Lacy, June 3rd, 2012