The King and Mrs. Simpson

In December of 1936, King Edward VIII of Great Britain shocked the world by giving up his kingdom in order to marry a twice-divorced American commoner named Wallis Simpson.

The King and Mrs. Simpson recounts, in a novella-sized work, the extraordinary love story between the popular king and the enigmatic woman that began at a party in England and culminated with the downfall of his reign nearly six years later.

Book club questions for The King and Mrs. Simpson by Erin Schulz

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Choosing love over duty is the great issue at the heart of the story. Do you think King Edward VIII made the right decision in walking away from the throne, or do you think his duty to his kingdom should have taken precedence over his personal life? Why?

What role, if any, do you think World War I played in influencing King Edward’s ultimate decision to abdicate?

When King Edward VIII abdicated, he assumed he would have to leave England for a short period, but that he would eventually be able to return and live life as a duke in service to the crown. However, he was essentially banished by his own family from Great Britain for the rest of his life as punishment for his abdication. Do you think his banishment was fair given his decision to walk off the throne, or too harsh? Why?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s resignation as senior members of the Royal Family has sparked commentary comparing Meghan to Wallis. Besides both being divorced Americans, do you think the two women have similar stories? Should they be considered as troublemakers or influencers who caused their respective spouses to give up duty to the throne?

The King and Mrs. Simpson Book Club Questions PDF

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“A must read for those who don't like to plow through the tomes of history, yet want to know the story.” — The Lakeland Times

“All the elements of scandal, intrigue, and social criticism…are found in this highly readable book.” — The Clinton Daily News