Author Draws Parallels Between Prince Harry and Edward VIII in New Book

Meghan Markle draws frequent comparisons to Wallis Simpson, but author Hugo Vickers argues the husbands warrant closer examination.

Vickers, a royal historian, details the Duchess of Windsor's shocking final years in his new book "Behind Closed Doors." She died in 1986 at age 89. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Vickers highlighted parallels between Prince Harry and Edward, Duke of Windsor, the late Queen Elizabeth II's uncle who abdicated in 1936 to marry Simpson.

"The one thing in common is that the two husbands both look pretty miserable," Vickers said. "If you look at photographs of the Duke of Windsor in old age … I’ve never seen such sad eyes on a man because of what happened. In both cases, they decided not to do the duty which they had been born to undertake."

He contrasted this with Queen Elizabeth II. "When I give talks occasionally, usually at schools, I show a picture of the queen, our Queen Elizabeth II, with sparkling eyes at the age of 90, having done her duty and feeling the calm, level gaze, conscious of duty fulfilled, as somebody put it," Vickers said. "Whereas the Duke of Windsor looked pathetic, and he looked very sad. And Prince Harry also looks very, very sad most of the time and rather angry."

Harry, 41, and his wife stepped back as senior royals in 2020. They cited British press intrusions and lack of palace support. Since moving to California, they have shared grievances through interviews, documentaries and Harry's 2021 memoir "Spare." The couple, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, continue to shape their post-royal lives.

Vickers said Meghan has fared better than Wallis. "Meghan Markle is much more in control of her destiny than Wallis was," he said. "Wallis became a wife and, to be fair to her, she wrote a book of memoirs. She gave one or two interviews, but she was very discreet, to be quite honest. She was very much in the background."

"Meghan Markle is completely different," he added. "She is using her title and her name to market things. … She’s been selling products and the like. … I just personally don’t think Prince Harry looks happy. My theory is that he is terrified of losing her, which is a very understandable syndrome to get into."

British broadcaster Helena Chard agreed. "It’s safe to say that both husbands wanted out of the institution," she said. "Edward VIII didn’t want to be king, and Prince Harry wanted freedom from the royal family. Their ‘get out of jail’ cards were their strong partners."

Chard referenced Harry and Meghan's "freedom flight" video from their Netflix documentary. "The tides have possibly changed," she said. "Harry and Meghan built their exit. However, it doesn’t guarantee safety or peace. Prince Harry continuously worries about Meghan, his family, their safety and media backlash. He seems to be reverting to what he knows and enjoys, his previous royal life."

During an unannounced Ukraine visit on April 24, Harry addressed not being a working royal. "I will always be part of the royal family. … I am here working, doing the things I was born to do," he replied. That month, he and Meghan visited Australia, where King Charles serves as head of state.

Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," predicted Meghan's path. "Looking ahead, Meghan’s trajectory seems firmly anchored in monetizing her proximity to the monarchy," she said. "I predict a long-term strategy focused on influence, media and commercial ventures, versus any form of royal reconciliation in traditional terms."

Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward said Prince Philip nicknamed Meghan "DoW," shorthand for Duchess of Windsor, due to similarities with Wallis, The Telegraph reported.

Vickers noted successful royals avoid competing with the monarch, citing Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; Catherine, Princess of Wales; and Camilla. Edward clung to royal reminders, with Wallis filling their Paris home with coronets, portraits of Queen Mary and liveried footmen.

Schofield said Meghan misjudged the monarchy's structure. "Both Meghan and Wallis entered the orbit of the monarchy as outsiders, Americans, divorced," she said. "Both were perceived as disruptive. And in both cases, the relationship dynamic appears to have reinforced an ‘us versus them’ mentality with their partners."

Key differences exist, Schofield added. Wallis faced a rigid pre-war monarchy; Meghan a modernized one. A source told People magazine the Sussexes rely on their own income. "They pay their own bills and make their own money while continuing to support a lot of causes that might otherwise go unseen," the insider said. "They’re trying to live their life, raise their children [Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4], do meaningful work and earn a living."

Chard said both husbands doted on their wives and feared losing them.