On 11 December the Windsors went into their butterfly life of exile, and the reign of George VI began. Alan wrote that day:
12月11日，温莎夫妇浪迹天涯，乔治六世即位当政。那天，艾伦写道：
I suppose this business of the King's abdication has come as rather a shock to you.
我想，国王退位对你来说是很震惊的，
I gather practically nothing was known of Mrs Simpson in England till about ten days ago.
我估计大家十天前还不知道谁是辛普森夫人吧。
I am rather divided in my opinion of the whole matter.
我对整件事情的观点，在一定程度有点分裂。
At first I was wholly in favour of the King retaining the throne and marrying Mrs Simpson, and if this were the only issue it would still be my opinion.
首先，我完全支持国王保留王位，并且与辛普森夫人结婚，无论引起什么争议，这都将是我一贯的观点。
However I have heard tales recently which seem to alter it rather.
然而，最近的一些见闻，令我的观点发生了一些变化。
It appears that the King was extremely lax about state documents, leaving them about and letting Mrs Simpson and friends see them.
这些见闻让我看到，国王对国务非常懈怠，把它们随便扔给辛普森夫人和朋友们去处理。
There had been distressing leakages.
这是很令人痛心的渎职。
Also one or two other things of same character, but this is the one I mind about most.
还有一两件类似的事情，但这件是我最在意的。
However, I respect David Windsor for his attitude.
但无论怎么说，我对大卫·温莎的态度仍然怀有敬意。
Alan's respect extended to the acquisition of a gramophone record of the abdication speech. He further wrote on 1 January:
艾伦的敬意，还来自他听到的一段退位演说的录音。他在1月1日继续写道：