The Secret Son of Wallis Simpson

Fantastic! This is the story of Joss de Wahl who was, pretended he was, or believed he was, the secret son of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII. He was hidden from history because his birth coincided with the abdication crisis and questions surrounding Edward VIII’s legal entitlement to renounce the throne on behalf of his descendants. In The Secret Son of Wallis Simpson, Selina Molteno tells this tall tale with verve and imagination and not a little sly humour. She enters the strange world of her subject, sympathetically relating his interpretation of his life, while keeping a sceptical, critical distance. Could his story have been true? Was he a conman? Or was he a deluded fantasist who felt so unloved that he needed to create another set of fictitious parents? Whichever way we look at it, he led an intriguing, if not necessarily particularly happy, life. It was a life touched by extraordinary privilege and considerable wealth, yet it was also scarred by the cruel and debilitating disease of porphyria, which he believed he inherited from the British royal family, and, most painfully of all for him, he was betrayed by the very people he had most trusted and loved.

Much of the story is set in South Africa, a place where those with something to hide often find their way. Joss de Wahl asserted he had been sent there at an early age with the connivance of important contemporary figures, including Winston Churchill, who had helped to construct his new identity. With the arrival of weird conspiracy theories on the internet, we have all become used to the thin line that many people walk between what is and what they choose to believe. In this respect, Joss de Wahl is a potent precursor and reminder of the dilemmas we all face. What answers may be arrived at is up to the reader to decide, but the journey is undeniably fascinating.
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What a compelling read, the story of Joss de Wahl is both unbelievable and believable as cleverly told by Selina Molteno. So much fact and coincidence but nothing is fully corroborated leaving the element of doubt at all times.
Was Joss a fantasist, a conman or genuinely the son of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII? I guess we will never know for sure.

A great read for anyone interested in Wallis & Edward, or just the upper classes of the world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Secret Son of Wallis Simpson.

Each nugget of information in this extremely readable book is like opening a treasure chest. You don’t know what you might find but remain intrigued.
Selina Molteno gives the reader an opportunity to sift through her subjects story, piece by piece, moment by moment and circumstance upon circumstance. She presents the possibility of Joss de Wahl’s parentage, his privileged, yet difficult life diagnosed with porphyria, a debilitating disease he believes he inherited from the British royals. She lends her ear, remains an investigative journalist but knows her bounds.
In a world that has been enveloped by conspiracy theories and scammers, some for years circling the possibility of a child of Wallis and Edward VIII, this will give the reader an opportunity to collect the data presented on this journey and make their own conclusion. It is well written, highly entertaining and very recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
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This is a rather incredible story, and difficult to believe. It's enjoyable and interesting, though, especially if you like reading anything involving a connection (or supposed connection) to the royals. Selina Moteno has certainly given readers much to ponder here.

Joss de Wahl thought that he was the secret son of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson and hidden away to avoid embarrasment. He liked his alleged parents, apparently, but he wasn't too happy about the way that they treated him. He was certainly well-connected, playing with Princess Sophie who became the Spanish Queen, and knowing many members of the aristocracy. He also had plenty of money and he had an extensive collection of art and valuable objects. This was odd when he apparently never worked. However, his story really doesn't add up.

Joss was a terrible snob and I found him pretty unlikeable, although people took advantage of him so I felt sorry for him. However, the royal gossip surrounding his story was entertaining, and it would be fun to look more deeply into his story.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If you follow the Royals, or have strong feels one way or the other about Edward VIII and Wallis, well, you might be interested in this. . .

At first you ponder - how could it be . . .none of those poor people can get away with anything, living their lives in the bright spotlight of Public Interest (me&mylike)??. Yet, if any group of people could slip something under something, hide it away behind, tucked nested in a basket, in a long lost corner, minded by loyals who owe a friend a favor. . . with an assist by the amoral who hears the siren call of instant currency. . . .all combine to create a very possible hidden network to keep a child trained up in a certain way to be complicit in his very own disappearance. Until he is told otherwise, by She who seems to have had no compunction to crush a life in her walk on earth. I just kept imagining this Joss de Wahl, as a boy. Buffeted from one stranger to another. Strangers who were wealthy and made sure he lacked for nothing, but a purpose, a family and love. I keep seeing that boy.

This author engaged me from the start - open and forthcoming with all the theories she had, the stories, and knowledge, and ultimately, no proof. Gut feelings, sympathies, and the story of a man who'd spent a lot of time in South Africa. Joss's life path provided a compelling look at a transitional time in that country.

If you are interested in the Royals, and an impressive cast of characters (Julius Ceasar, Jack the Ripper, Mick Jagger to Princess Diana, and so many more), pick this up. As for me? I'm thinking he was the real deal. Poor fellow.

A Sincere Thanks to Selina Molteno, Matador, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review. #TheSecretSonofWallisSimpson #NetGalley

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author approaches her subject with an open mind and presents a factual account of the life of Joss de Wahl. Most of the book takes place in South Africa where Joss lived. His life was filled with riches, a fortune lost and the famous and infamous. The book is very well written and easy to read. At the end the author presents her theory and allows the author to reach their own conclusion. Regardless if Joss de Wahl was or was not the secret son of the Duke and Duchess of Winsdor he had a strange and sad life. He had an unlucky life but he was lucky to have his story told by Selina Molteno. Enjoy

What a crazy story this is, but a strangely compelling one and a riveting read. It’s the tale of Joss de Wahl, who claimed to be, or believed himself to be, or was persuaded he was, the son of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, hidden away as an embarrassment, because when Edward abdicated he abdicated on behalf of his heirs – and now he had one. Joss was certainly well-connected and although shifted from pillar to post, seemed to have someone looking out for him. True or not, the book does succeed in making the reader at least consider whether this unbelievable story could in fact be true.(I remain unconvinced, however.) The book is well-written and fully documented and the author keeps an open mind but clearly displays some sympathy for this misfit of a man. Joss’s life was a fascinating, if ultimately a sad one, and the biography does him justice. Quite apart from his possible heritage, his was a life full of incident, people and travels, and worth reading about on its own merits. Highly recommended.

This is an extraordinary book about an extraordinary man who claimed he was the son of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII of England. Was he telling the truth?
Until it was proven correct I would never have believed the bones found under a Leicester car park were the remains of King Richard III. Should I now believe this new revelation?
Selina Molteno has gone to great lengths to seek out the truth. There is a cast of hundreds: royalty, politicians, film stars, and billionaires. This is biographical detection at its very best.
Did the Windsors hide their baby son to avoid an even bigger scandal than the abdication? And if Joss de Wahl wasn't who he said he was - who was he?
A must-read for everyone who likes a true life mystery.