1937 - Duke of Kent invited to be king of Poland

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4thskorpion
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1937 - Duke of Kent invited to be king of Poland

#1

Post by 4thskorpion » 20 May 2015, 12:54

Anyone know what the official reply was from the Duke of Kent and why this invitation was turned down? And why the British Duke of Kent in particular?


Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld) Thursday August 5 1937

DUKE OF KENT INVITED TO BE KING OF POLAND

"All Attributes Of Monarch "

LONDON. August 4.

The Duke of Kent will be invited to be King of Poland.

The Warsaw correspondent of the "Daily Hail" advises that the executive of the Polish Monarchist Party has passed a resolution, inviting the Duke to accept the Polish throne, which has been vacant since 1796.

The resolution has been sent to the Duke, who, with the Duchess, is at present visiting Southern Poland.

The Polish Monarchist organ "GIOB" points out that Poland is situated between Russia and Germany. The article states: "If Poland had the Duke of Kent as King she would be linked to the world's greatest empire and the greatest democracy. Moreover, the Duke possesses all the attributes necessary for a monarch."

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lukeo
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Re: 1937 - Duke of Kent invited to be king of Poland

#2

Post by lukeo » 24 Jun 2015, 21:05

I do not know the specifics, but the chief reason might be because monarchism in Poland had and still has negligible popular support. In late 1930s there were few things on which the ruling Sanacja and their opponents could agree on, but keeping Poland as a republic was definitely one of these few.

That "Polish Monarchist Party" definitely did not speak on behalf of the Polish society.


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4thskorpion
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Re: 1937 - Duke of Kent invited to be king of Poland

#3

Post by 4thskorpion » 28 Jun 2015, 16:33

I believe Sikorski, leader of the Polish Government-in-exile based in London during WWII, also made the same offer to the Duke of Kent.

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