Treachery & betrayal THE WIND SORS’ TOP-SECRET LIFE EXPOSED

It was painted as one of the great romances of the 20th century. Edward VIII’s love for American divorcée Wallis Simpson was so intense that he gave up the British throne for her.

But now an author who has carried out extensive research into the couple says he doubts whether Wallis ever loved the British king at all. She only married him because she felt backed into a corner and because he was so obsessed with her that he’d threatened to kill himself if she left him, says Andrew Lownie.

His book takes a fresh look at the relationship that shook the British monarchy and changed the course of history thanks to Edward’s abdication in December 1936. Plenty has been written about what led to Edward’s decision to walk away from his birthright, but Andrew focuses on the couple’s life after the abdication, when they