Sputtering Start for the King's Campaign

Saturday 28^th November 1936

Behind the Scenes

The King’s campaign to drum up support against Baldwin had got off to a fitful start. His most potent potential ally was Lord Beaverbrook, the press magnate, but it was far from a perfect partnership. Beaverbrook had no confidence at all in the morganatic scheme and little liking for Mrs. Simpson. Beaverbrook’s one friend in Cabinet was Sir Samuel Hoare, the First Lord of the Admiralty, but he had already declined to back the King when sounded out directly. He knew the cause was hopeless. Hoare and Beaverbrook were in regular contact, but this served more to keep the government informed of the doings of what was coming to be called the “King’s Party”.