Edward 8,Duke of Windsor

[jocky]

Fruity Metcalfe? You couldn't make it up.

I am not so sure about that Brian. Evelyn Waugh's depiction of the Aristocracy in 'Brideshead Revisited' does seem to represent an accurate snapshot of the prevailing upper class eccentricity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RG5KEsVbds

It still seems to with us, unfortunately.

[Paulclem]

BBC radio reported this morning that Prince William and Kate Middleton have been 'flipping pancakes' in Northern Ireland. Things are obviously getting into their stride.
Watch this space.
They certainly sound rather dull compared to Edward the eigth's circle judging by this extract from Google:

Known as “Baba” to her father’s Indian servants, and to her friends ever after, she was a remarkable woman. She was said to be lovely, if somewhat imperious like her father. Although romanced by royals, she married Edward Dudley “Fruity” Metcalfe, the best friend of Edward VIII, the king who left his throne and became the Duke of Windsor so that he could marry Wallis Warfield Simpson, a twice-divorced American. Not one to desert a friend, Fruity served as the Duke’s Best Man at his wedding in exile. (In 1940, Fruity was rewarded for his loyalty by being abandoned when the Duke and Duchess fled Paris, and left to find his own way home as the German army advanced.)

Fruity Metcalfe? You couldn't make it up.

Sounds like a pudding ... perhaps that's what they meant.

Abandonment? No fruity did his duty, as did Edward VIII by preserving his Royal Personage.

[MarkBastable]

****Deleted, because I decided not to start an argument that I don't have the time to pursue. Especially as it was in support of Bean, and he can look after himself.*****

[Paulclem]

Awww go on. Miss isn't around.

[Emil Miller]

If ever I needed confirmation that republicanism is better, a quick glance at Google is all that's required. If you thought that Fruity Metcalfe was Wodehouseian, how about this from a profile of the Duke?

Though perhaps not in possession of a keen intelligence, the future king was a good soul who enjoyed gardening, bagpipe-playing, and charming women.

[kasie]

And you believe everything you read on Google?

There are, after all, worse hobbies than gardening, playing bagpipes and enjoying the company of attractive ladies - they are hardly reasons to dismantle the monarchy.

[MarkBastable]

The more Wodehousian you paint them, the more I like them.

[Emil Miller]

And you believe everything you read on Google?

There are, after all, worse hobbies than gardening, playing bagpipes and enjoying the company of attractive ladies - they are hardly reasons to dismantle the monarchy.

You forgot to mention: Though perhaps not in possession of a keen intelligence.
When one looks at his choice of marriage partner we can see just how euphemistic that is, here is another extract from an item on Wallis Simpson:

The government was also aware that Wallis Simpson was in fact involved in other sexual relationships. This included a married car mechanic and salesman called Guy Trundle and Edward Fitzgerald, Duke of Leinster. More importantly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation believed that Wallis Simpson was having a relationship with Joachim von Ribbentrop, the German Ambassador to Britain, and that she was passing secret information obtained from the king to the Nazi government.