The Duchess of Windsor

On December 11, 1936, the people of Great Britain were stunned by an announcement from their popular, 42-year-old king, Edward VIII. He was giving up his throne because he could not live without “the woman I love.”

Edward was referring to Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American who had moved to England with her second husband. There, in 1930, she met Edward, who was then the Prince of Wales. They fell in love, and she obtained a divorce. When Edward’s father, King George V, died in January, 1936, Edward became king. In Great Britain, the monarch is also the head of the Church of England, which at the time didn’t sanction divorce. There was no way for ward to remain king and marry Mrs. Simpson. So he decided to abdicate (relinquish the throne voluntarily).

Given the title Duke of Windsor by his successor, his brother King George VI, Edward married Mrs. Simpson in 1937. Barred from living in England, they resided in France. The duchess became known as an elegant hostess and one of the world’s best-dressed women. The couple traveled extensively attending social events around the world.

The duke died in 1972, and the duchess in 1986. Although they were sometimes criticized for their lavish lifestyle, their romance is regarded as one of history’s greatest love stories.

In February, 1998, more than 40,000 of the Windsor’s belongings were sold at auction by Sotheby’s.