英语听力精选进阶版 13284

Wallis ‘was not keen on royal wedding’

Report

The popular image is that of a rather cold, scheming woman who wormed her way into the affections of Britain's future king. But previously¹ unseen letters suggest that Wallis Simpson was an insecure woman who felt trapped by her relationship with Edward. The letters have been uncovered by Anne Sebba. She says they show that Wallis Simpson might still have been in love with her second husband Ernest Simpson.

Additional extracts reveal the extent of Mrs Simpson's continued love for her former husband, even writing to him while on her honeymoon² with Edward. Anne Sebba says that as an American, Mrs Simpson loved the access to the highest levels of English society, to be showered with expensive jewellery, to be the mistress of the future king. But she expected the eventual³ fate of most mistresses, which is to be dumped.

But he didn't dump her, causing the biggest constitutional crisis for centuries. Despite the widespread criticism of his relationship with the American divorcee, Edward VIII renounced⁴ his throne in December 1936. Edward and Mrs Simpson married in June 1937 following her divorce from Ernest.

Farhana Haider, BBC News

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 honeymoon   

n.蜜月（假期）；vi.度蜜月

参考例句：

• While on honeymoon in Bali,she learned to scuba dive.她在巴厘岛度蜜月时学会了带水肺潜水。
• The happy pair are leaving for their honeymoon.这幸福的一对就要去度蜜月了。

3 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

4 renounced   

v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃

参考例句：

• We have renounced the use of force to settle our disputes. 我们已再次宣布放弃使用武力来解决争端。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Andrew renounced his claim to the property. 安德鲁放弃了财产的所有权。 来自《简明英汉词典》