In a remarkable discovery while exploring the British National Archives, I stumbled upon a forgotten file detailing an extraordinary and almost unbelievable post-World War II plot: a plan to make the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII, king once again—not of Britain, but of Germany. This curious scheme, originating in 1946, appears to have been largely overlooked by historians, despite its intriguing implications. To understand it, one must first consider Edward’s unusual life and circumstances.

Edward, known as David to his family, became King Edward VIII in 1936 following the death of his father, King George V. He was also Emperor of India. Edward was popular with the public, famous for his charm as Prince of Wales, and notorious for a hedonistic lifestyle that focused more on personal pleasures than statecraft. His life changed dramatically when he fell in love with Wallis Warfield Simpson, a twice-divorced American woman. This relationship alarmed the British establishment: Simpson was unacceptable as queen due to her divorces, her foreign origins, and lack of familiarity with court life. Edward’s insistence on marrying her precipitated a constitutional crisis, ultimately forcing him to abdicate after less than a year on the throne. His brother Bertie became King George VI, while Edward and Wallis went into a largely self-imposed exile in France, marrying soon after.

Edward’s fascination with Germany and Adolf Hitler complicated matters further. Fluent in German and of largely German ancestry through both his parents, Edward identified more with Germany than with Britain. When Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland in 1936, Edward reportedly threatened to abdicate if Britain opposed the move, signaling tacit approval that emboldened the Nazi leader. His admiration for Hitler and apparent willingness to share confidential government information with Wallis, who then relayed it to Hitler’s ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop, alarmed the British establishment. Such behavior, if done by anyone else, might have led to charges of treason.

During the early years of World War II, Edward, now the Duke of Windsor, continued to demonstrate questionable judgment. Stationed with the British military mission in France, German sources suggest he leaked Allied defense plans to the Germans. As German forces advanced in 1940, Edward and Wallis fled to neutral Lisbon. At one point, the Nazis even devised a plot, Operation Villi, to abduct him and place him under German control. Concerned about his potential influence and loyalty, Winston Churchill ordered his return to Britain and subsequently sent him to the Bahamas as governor, keeping him out of the European theater. Edward held this post until March 1945.

After the war, Edward sought to reestablish himself in Europe. He returned to France with Wallis and briefly visited Britain, hoping for some role or recognition. The royal family, however, made it clear that Wallis would never be received formally and Edward would hold no further positions. Meanwhile, a secret royal mission in Germany sought to secure documents that could expose the family’s connections to Nazi sympathizers, including Edward himself.

It was against this backdrop that the curious Hanover plot emerged. In December 1945, the British-controlled political division in Lübeck, Germany, received a letter from Count Bentink proposing that Edward accept the throne of Hanover—not Britain. The letter suggested that after Germany’s turbulent 25 years, many Germans favored a constitutional monarchy modeled on Britain, and that Edward’s personality would appeal to the people. Historically, Britain and Hanover were linked through a personal union from 1714 until 1837. Edward, being of Hanoverian descent, had ties to the former German royal families, including the Duke of Brunswick, a close friend and relative.

This offer may have originated from Kenneth de Corsi, a prominent editor and writer, who published an article in 1946 advocating for a constitutional monarchy in postwar Germany. Though he did not explicitly name Edward, it was clear that de Corsi considered him a fitting candidate: experienced in constitutional governance, knowledgeable about international affairs, and well-regarded in Britain and America. The article implied that a royal figure from Edward’s circle could restore order to Germany’s British occupation zone.

Edward reportedly entertained the idea, meeting with the Duke of Brunswick and possibly another German duke at Glücksburg Castle to discuss the potential restoration. The plan would have elevated Edward to a position of influence, granted Wallis the royal recognition she had long desired, and connected him to the Hanoverian lineage. Ultimately, however, the British government and King George VI ensured that Edward remained sidelined. Any potential scheme to crown him in Germany was quietly dismissed, and the idea faded into obscurity, only declassified in 1977—five years after Edward’s death.

The Hanover plot reveals that Edward, even in exile, was willing to explore any avenue to reclaim public status and exercise authority. While the plan never materialized, it highlights the unique intersection of personal ambition, royal politics, and postwar geopolitics, a story that remains largely unremarked upon in historical accounts.