VACATIONS FROM HOME: NAZI SYMPATHIZERS ON THE ISLANDS OF ROMANCE

HERE COMES THE SUN

You know, it’s really easy to overlook history and just sip rum drinks and bask in the sun of The Bahamas, but here at the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort on Cable Bay one is reminded of the interesting history of The Bahamas and her former governor David Windsor, what with all the pictures and love letters adorning the walls of the Piano Bar, in the Balmoral Building at the resort. You would know David Windsor as King Edward VIII. His family and close friends called him David, but his full name was Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David…Windsor.

SHE LOVES YOU

He was King Edward VIII for just a few months in 1936. Soon after his coronation he proposed to an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, who at the time was seeking a divorce from her second husband. As the head of the Church of England, Edward’s proposal to a woman whose two exes were still alive was politically and socially unacceptable and he was forced to make a choice.

DIRTY BANANA

He listened to his heart and chose love. He stepped down, his younger brother became king and when he passed his daughter became Queen. She’s still there, Queen Elizabeth II.

TWIST AND SHOUT

Right about now you’re probably saying ‘who cares? And, where’s my Dirty Banana drink?’ Well, while alternating between that sweet concoction and the deadly Zombie, that is mixed with 4 types of rum, it’s still hard to ignore the history of the old Balmoral Manor and in its current iteration as Sandals Royal Bahamian one is reminded of the luminaries this place has hosted.

Our favorite bar in the joint is the Piano Bar, which we have affectionally dubbed the “Wrinkle Room” (because of the older crowd). Here pictures of Edward / David and Wallis are everywhere and at the Cricketeer a British-style pub (fake hand pumps) Beatles paraphernalia and photographs adorns their walls. The Beatles stayed here while filming scenes for their movie “Help” and celebrated George Harrison 22^nd birthday at the Balmoral "Amoral” Club.

THE WRINKLE ROOM

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

When Edward VIII abdicated the throne, he and his wife received the title of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and lived in relative exile in continental Europe. England had never had a former king live beyond his reign and the Duke was eager to remain relevant and to have his wife treated as a full member of the Royal family. When the German government extended an invitation for them to visit Germany and to meet with Hitler they readily accepted. In October 1937, the outcast couple visited the country and met with Hitler at Berchtesgaden and they were indeed treated with all the dignity and status afforded to royalty. Covered extensively by the German media this visit served as great propaganda for the Nazi regime and the Duke was even photographed giving full Nazi salutes.

NOWHERE MAN

Prior to 1917 the House of Windsor was actually called the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, with the direct Germanic connection through Albert, husband to Queen Victoria. During WWI anti-German sentiment was at a fever pitch especially when the Gotha G.IV heavy bomber capable of flying across the English Channel began bombing London in March 1917. The house of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha wisely relabeled themselves as Windsor in order to distance themselves from this unenviable connection with their enemies.

When the Duke of Windsor decided to take the Nazis up on their invitation just 20 years later the English government was not happy, and when two years later with the war gearing up there were persistent but unsubstantiated rumors that the Duke pressed the Germans to relentlessly bomb England to force a peace and that Germany wanted to reinstate the Duke as King to form a puppet government..

WE CAN WORK IT OUT

You can’t kill him, but you can’t keep him around, so the English government forced the Duke to accept the position as governor of The Bahamas. The Duke groused that this was a 3^rd rate British colony, but the arrival of the Duke and Duchess in 1940 captured the hearts and imaginations of The Bahamians. Wealthy islanders were hopeful this former King who abdicated his throne for love would help label The Bahamas as the “Islands of Romance” and help the fledgling tourist industry. Poorer islanders hoped their presence would bring attention to inferior living conditions.

IN THE BAHAMAS

I’LL FOLLOW THE SUN

The Duke of Windsor actually enjoyed some success as Governor including funding development of the Out Islands and brokering closer ties between the United States and The Bahamas and he remained governor until 1945.

Another achievement were the extensive renovations the Duke and Duchess made to the Government House in Nassau. Infested with termites and shabby furnishings dating from the Victorian era, the Royal couple sought funding and also provided some of their personal monies to extensive renovations that including new electrical wiring and plumbing. This beautiful pink black and white building remains the official residence of the Governor of The Bahamas.

While the renovations of the Government House were completed, the Duke and Duchess stayed with a Canadian ex-patriot, Harry Oakes, at his mansion Westbourne, near to where the present Sandals Royal Bahamian sits. I’m not sure if they too lolled about poolside drinking Dirty Bananas while there, but if you’re gonna get exiled it’s Better In The Bahamas.

THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, NASSAU

The Bahamas became a Commonwealth realm in 1973 and today she is actually the third richest country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada, due to their tourism industry and offshore financing.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your holiday season.