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Wallis & Edward - The Duke & Duchess of Windsor Documentary

The People Profiles・93 minutes read

Wallis Simpson's early life, tumultuous marriages, and controversial relationship with Edward, the Prince of Wales, eventually led to their marriage after his abdication as King, facing criticism and isolation for their decisions. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived out their lives largely removed from the royal family, with their relationship plagued by health issues and adversity, eventually being laid to rest together at Windsor Castle after a tumultuous journey.

Insights

  • Wallis Simpson, born in 1896, faced financial struggles growing up in Baltimore and excelled in basketball at Oldfields.
  • Wallis endured an abusive marriage with Win before marrying Ernest Simpson and later capturing the Prince of Wales' attention.
  • Wallis and Edward's relationship led to scandal, Edward's abdication, and their subsequent life in isolation and political controversies.
  • Wallis faced coercion from Edward, leading to their marriage, exile, and an enduringly controversial legacy post-World War II.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Wallis Simpson?

    Wallis Simpson was a prominent figure known for her relationship with King Edward VIII, leading to his abdication from the British throne.

  • Why did King Edward VIII abdicate?

    King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American woman, facing opposition from the British government and establishment.

  • What impact did Wallis Simpson have on British history?

    Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII led to his abdication from the British throne, causing a constitutional crisis and reshaping the royal family's dynamics.

  • Where did Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII live after the abdication?

    Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII lived in France after the abdication, settling in Paris and residing in various locations.

  • How did Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII impact British society?

    Wallis Simpson's relationship with King Edward VIII caused a scandal in British society, leading to his abdication and reshaping public perceptions of the monarchy.

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Summary

00:00

Wallis Simpson: From Blue Ridge to Freedom

  • Wallis Simpson, originally Bessewallis Warfield, was born in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, around June 19, 1896, but her exact birth date is uncertain due to the lack of a birth certificate.
  • Her parents were Teackle Wallis Warfield and Alice Montague, and her name was a combination of her aunt Bessie and her grandfather's friend Severn Teackle Wallis, which she later changed to Wallis for its uniqueness.
  • Wallis grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a family with Southern sympathies and a history in the Baltimore banking scene.
  • After her father's death, Wallis and her mother lived with her grandmother and later her aunt, facing financial struggles.
  • Wallis attended various schools in Baltimore, including Oldfields, where she excelled in basketball and developed a reputation for independence.
  • She married Lieutenant Earl Winfield Spencer Jr. in 1916, amidst political tensions surrounding the US entering World War I.
  • Wallis endured a troubled marriage with Win, who became increasingly abusive and controlling, leading her to decide to divorce him.
  • After the divorce, Wallis moved to Georgetown, where she socialized with influential people and honed her skills as a socialite.
  • Wallis traveled to France and China, experiencing different cultures and meeting notable individuals, including Galeazzo Ciano, Mussolini's son-in-law.
  • She eventually obtained a divorce from Win in 1927, settling in New York with her friend Mary Kirk and embracing her newfound freedom.

16:38

Wallis Simpson: From Marriage to Scandal

  • Mary was frustrated with Wallis' lack of proactivity in finding work and her reliance on good fortune and a potential husband for income.
  • Wallis formed an attachment with Ernest Simpson, a married man, who took her to art galleries and dinners.
  • Wallis appreciated Ernest's intellectual disposition and bravery in joining the Coldstream Guards during WWI.
  • Wallis married Ernest in a registry office in Chelsea in July 1928 and had a happy honeymoon in France.
  • Wallis struggled to gain influence in British social circles and faced challenges adapting to the new social dynamics in London.
  • Wallis met Edward, the Prince of Wales, in 1931 and began spending more time with him, causing strain in her marriage with Ernest.
  • Wallis and Edward's relationship grew, with Edward showing clear intentions of marrying her despite being King.
  • Wallis and Edward's romantic relationship became public, leading to scandal and criticism from society.
  • Wallis and Edward openly expressed their desire to marry, with Edward becoming King after his father's death.
  • Wallis became a prominent figure in Edward's life, attending official engagements and social gatherings with him, causing concern among officials about her influence on state matters.

33:01

"Wallis and Edward's Controversial Love Story"

  • George VI expressed distrust in Wallis' loyalty due to her interactions with Italian and German officials.
  • Wallis was frequently visited by Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's envoy, and received flowers from him.
  • Mary Kirk, Wallis' friend, professed love for Ernest, Wallis' husband, leading to marital tensions.
  • Wallis and the King hosted exclusive dinners, including notable guests like the Prime Minister and aviator Charles Lindbergh.
  • Wallis informed Ernest of her intent to divorce him after he was seen with another woman in Paris.
  • The King and Wallis planned a holiday along the Dalmatian Coast after the divorce process began.
  • Divorce was a rare and controversial issue in Britain, with strict laws that complicated Wallis and the King's relationship.
  • Wallis faced coercion from Edward, who threatened suicide if she left him, causing her immense fear and entrapment.
  • The US press extensively covered the divorce trial, where Ernest admitted to being with Wallis' friend, Mary Kirk.
  • Edward abdicated the throne to marry Wallis, facing opposition from the British establishment and the public.

49:31

Edward and Wallis: The Controversial Royal Wedding

  • The royal chaplain for the wedding was RA Jardine, a former street preacher turned faith healer, who was commanded by a voice to officiate the ceremony in France.
  • Society florist Constance Spry, a close friend of Edward, was engaged for the wedding, which had few guests due to concerns about reputations.
  • The wedding was set for June 3, 1937, at Château de Candé, with Wallis wearing a pale blue dress and sapphire jewelry.
  • Edward's best man was Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe, and King George VI's letter stated Wallis wouldn't be entitled to HRH.
  • The wedding party included few guests, with notable attendees being Fruity and Baba Metcalfe, Walter Monckton, and Charles and Fern Bedaux.
  • Edward and Wallis honeymooned in Europe, struggling with isolation and a lack of purpose.
  • Edward's support for Germany led to a visit where they met with Nazi leaders, including Hitler at the Berghof.
  • Edward's relationship with his family deteriorated, with Churchill remaining loyal to him.
  • Edward was appointed Governor of the Bahamas, where he and Wallis lived in relative isolation, engaging in Red Cross work.
  • The couple's time in the Bahamas was marked by a desire to leave, worsened by Prince George's death and their perceived rejection in the UK and Canada.

01:05:32

Duke and Duchess of Windsor's tumultuous life.

  • Churchill disagreed with the idea of negotiating peace with Germany, advocating for outright victory instead.
  • Churchill inquired about job opportunities for the Duke in the British Embassy in Washington, which was rejected by Ernest Bevan.
  • The Duke and Wallis left the Bahamas on May 3, 1945, without a clear plan for their future.
  • The couple spent six years in limbo, moving between rented homes and considering returning to France for stability.
  • Upon returning to England in 1946, Wallis had £25,000 worth of jewelry stolen, attracting negative press attention.
  • In 1952, the couple moved to France, residing in Gif-sur-Yvette and renovating a rented home in Paris.
  • The Duke attended King George VI's funeral in 1952, with no significant change in the relationship with the royal family.
  • Edward and Wallis earned income through writing, with Wallis's memoir receiving positive feedback from the literary world.
  • Wallis's health declined after Edward's death, leading to her talking to him as if he were still alive.
  • Wallis passed away on April 24, 1986, with her funeral held at St George's Chapel in Windsor, attended by around 200 people.

01:22:21

Edward VIII: Controversial King and Love Affairs

  • Edward faced danger during the war, with his chauffeur killed by artillery and his car crashing in France.
  • He visited the Middle East in 1916 to meet Australian and New Zealander allies.
  • The royal family changed its name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor in 1917 due to German associations.
  • Edward's father allowed him to choose his marital affairs, leading to his affair with Winifred Dudley Ward.
  • Edward's social life in the 1920s included nightclubs and an affair with Ward, which ended in 1934.
  • Concerns arose about Edward's lifestyle and potential political independence as king.
  • Edward met Wallis Simpson in the early 1930s, leading to a serious relationship.
  • Edward's determination to marry Simpson faced opposition due to her divorcee status and American background.
  • Edward became King Edward VIII in January 1936, showing little interest in state affairs.
  • Edward's relationship with Simpson and his Nazi sympathies led to a crisis, with the government intervening in his potential marriage.

01:38:49

Edward VIII Abdication Drama: Wallis Simpson's Influence

  • Edward revealed his intention to marry Wallis to a senior government member, facing opposition due to her divorces.
  • Baldwin's government considered a morganatic marriage between Edward and Wallis, but it was met with resistance.
  • Edward threatened to abdicate if prevented from marrying Wallis, informing his family of this decision.
  • Baldwin consulted with the cabinet and dominions, leading to a consensus that Edward should abdicate if he married Wallis.
  • Wallis left for France to avoid press speculation, while Baldwin's government insisted on Edward's abdication.
  • Edward abdicated on December 10, 1936, becoming the Duke of Windsor, and Wallis the Duchess of Windsor.
  • The royal family distanced themselves from the Duke and Duchess, referring to Wallis coldly as Mrs. Simpson.
  • Edward and Wallis settled in Paris, living off funds from royal residences relinquished in the abdication agreement.
  • Edward accepted an offer to visit Germany in 1937, aiming to rejuvenate his profile post-abdication.
  • The visit to Germany included meetings with top Nazi officials, culminating in a controversial meeting with Hitler.

01:54:55

"World War II: Hitler's Aggression and Blitz"

  • Anschluss creating Greater Germany achieved in March 1938, violating Versailles Treaty
  • Hitler pressed for Sudetenland annexation in September 1938, Munich conference led to British and French appeasement
  • Spring 1939 saw Hitler annexing rest of Czechoslovakia and Memel in Baltic States
  • German tanks invaded Poland in September 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war
  • Nazis invaded Denmark and tactically occupied key cities in Norway in April 1940
  • Invasion of Low Countries and France followed shortly after
  • Edward faced accusations of leaking information to Berlin, British Expeditionary Force trapped at Dunkirk
  • Paris occupied by Nazis on June 14, 1940, remaining under German control for four years
  • Operation Willi aimed to kidnap Windsors to foster pro-German inclinations, but never materialized
  • Edward proposed Nazi bombing strategy over England in Portugal, conveyed advice to Berlin ambassador, leading to the Blitz in 1940

02:11:45

Edward VIII: A King's Life and Legacy

  • King Edward VIII authored a memoir titled A King’s Story in 1951, expressing his opposition to liberal politics post-World War II.
  • In the 1950s, Edward and Wallis visited the United States frequently, socializing with politicians and celebrities, including a visit to the White House during Dwight Eisenhower's presidency.
  • Edward and Wallis's relationship was mysterious, with observers noting their distant interactions despite a previously intense bond.
  • Edward faced health issues in the mid-1960s due to chronic smoking, leading to multiple surgical procedures and a diagnosis of terminal throat cancer in the early 1970s.
  • After Edward's death in 1972, Wallis faced declining health, advanced dementia, financial exploitation by her lawyer, and eventually passed away in 1986, being interred next to Edward near Windsor Castle.
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