Royal crisis has real resonance

THERE have been crises since of a similar scale, but as Patricia Routledge says, the abdication crisis of 1936 really was the moment the monarchy was in danger.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jul 2008, 11:49 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:32 BST

The Chichester-based actress plays Queen Mary in Crown Matrimonial, Royce Ryton's play that skilfully explores a scandal that shook the nation.

A key element for Routledge is the fact that she brings to the role her own recollections.

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"As a child I remember looking up at these giant grown-ups, and it was all the talk at the time, the concern, the great sense of crisis and the detestation of her, certainly in our part of the country."

'Her' was, of course, Wallis Simpson, the divorcee for whom Edward VIII declared his deep love. Unswayed by the prospect of public scandal, family upheaval and even abdication, he was insistent that he would marry her.

"The country was divided. He was very popular. He was a film star! He had the glamour and the charisma and he had the genuinely common touch.

"She was very classy, very educated, and she was presented at court here. She was the creme de la creme of American society."

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But against her were her past divorces. Routledge's 'wonderful' Irish grandmother for one wasn't impressed. "She had very strong opinions about everything and she would give a blast!"

For the full feature, see the West Sussex Gazette for July 9, 2008

Crown Matrimonial is at Brighton's Theatre Royal from Monday, July 14 to Saturday, July 19. Tickets on 08700 606 650.

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