Duke Reportedly Offered to Be President

LONDON — The late Duke of Windsor, the man who gave up the British throne to marry an American divorcee, offered to become president of an “English Republic” if the monarchy were abolished, according to a new book.

The duke’s offer is recorded in Patrick Howarth’s book, “George VI--A Biography,” to be published later this month.

The Duke, the former King Edward VIII, abdicated 50 years ago because he could not marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson and remain king. His brother succeeded him as George VI.

According to Howarth, the duke told a London Daily Herald correspondent in Paris in 1937 that he was prepared to become president if the Labor Party came to power and did away with the monarchy. The British ambassador in Paris persuaded the Herald not to publish the interview, Howarth said.