Edward VIII grave concern that the couple were followed by members of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, who examined in secret the nature of their relationship. An undated report detailed a visit by the couple to an antique shop, where the proprietor later noted "that the lady seemed to have POW [Prince of Wales] completely under her thumb." The prospect of having an American divorcée with a questionable past having such sway over the heir apparent led to anxiety among government and establishment figures. King George V died on 20 January 1936, and Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. The
Frederick W. Barrett Frederick W. Barrett Major Frederick W. Barrett (20 June 1875 – 7 November 1949) was an English international polo player. He trained race horses for three British Monarchs George V, Edward VIII and George VI. He was born on 20 June 1875 in England. Barrett was in the 15th Hussars and had been a successful steeplechase rider. He began polo when his regiment went to India in 1902. He competed on the England polo team in the 1914 and 1921 International Polo Cup. The English team were victorious in 1914 ending a series of losses. He won the Roehampton Trophy