A British correspondent in Washington cabled his London office: What coverage wanted on visit of Windsors? Answer came: "Leave to agencies unless essential." A U.S. newshawk asked the Londoner what he would consider "essential." He answered: "I would say that if they were run over, that would be essential."
The British were plainly no longer interested in their onetime King. This emeritus royalty was still a national embarrassment, but a fainter one. The British Embassy carefully pointed out that the Embassy dinner for the Windsors would be "medium-sized and private." The White House took this cue: the Duke and Duchess...