The abdicated king of England, the Duke of Windsor spent World War Two, as far away from England, as the English could send him. They sent him to The Bahamas, and its rocky collection of underdeveloped land, which sat in the middle of the ocean. It was described by one royal biographer as if one had just landed on the moon. The Duke hated it. In the same year, 1943, in which he dedicated a park, in a predominantly negro area of Nassau, to the people and himself, the Duke and Wallis were also looking to get out of The Bahamas.
By chance, or design, the Duke was in Washington at the same time Winston Churchill was there to give a speech in May 1943. They had two long and very private sessions. The Duke laid his disgruntled cards on the table and so did Churchill. The Duke was offered the Governorship of Bermuda. It would have been a promotion. However, hopping from one hot rock to another was not what the Duke had in mind. He resigned himself reluctantly to his furthered stay in Nassau. Wallis Simpson was inconsolable at the prospect of another year in The Bahamas.
Windsor Park still stands today. It is on the corner of East Street and Wulff Road in Nassau, New Providence.
Wallis did not attend the dedication.
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NASSAU, BAHAMA — The Duke of Windsor dedicated a park and recreation ground here recently before several hundred persons, naming it “Windsor Park.” Expressing regret that the duchess could not be present, the former Prince of Wales said that he had always been in favour of providing more and better recreation grounds and especially was in favour of more playgrounds for children. He said that Thaddeus A. Toote, M.H.A, J.P. and A. Cambridge, M.H.A., had accompanied him to this site some months ago when it was in a deplorable state and he was happy to see that changes had been wrought and he hoped it would continue to have a good appearance.
He was attended by Commander James Dugdale, A.D.C., Col. R. A. Erskine-Lindop, commissioner of police; Mr. Toote and Mr. Cambridge as he approached the pavilion.
A.F. Adderley, president of the Bahama Cricket association and F.E. Field, captain of the Civil Service Cricket team, sat on either side of the Duke who remained to watch the cricket game which was played after the ceremonies.
9th October 1943, The New York Times.
