King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (Duke and Duchess of Windsor)

[ChristineM]

The subject of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor was never 'glossed over' here.   Indeed before the disappearance of three quarters of the Windsor topics, page upon page was devoted to them and, particularly to the Duchess's undoubted and unchallengeable style.   The topics covered all aspects of their lives.   The subject could engender strong feelings - pro and anti.   I found it interesting to observe a distinct difference in attitude between posters from the US and posters from the UK.

I heartily agree the subject of the love and lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor is one very well worth pursuing.

tsaria

[TampaBay]

What I find fascinating about the Wallis is that her style is 100% timeless.  If she showed up today in any of the outfits she was photographed in, she would be be considered on the cutting edge of today's fashions.

Her photos, clothes and jewelry never look dated.


TampaBay

[Eddie_uk]

Yes I agree TB, with the exception of some  of the hats she had a lot of style. I do find some of her jewellery extremely vulgar though. But I suppose that's because if her background? She seemed to hard quite a hard look about her..

[RomanovFan]

RomanovFan, we share a keen interest..thank you for the thread.
I've often wondered...had he lived out his reign until his death in 1972, with Wallis, Duchess of Windsor/Cornwall/Whatever as his Consort, and them childless, how would the line of succession played out?

Among the members of the royal family in 1972, would Lillibet still have become Queen?

Sure, no problem. I've been looking for different photos of David lately, different ones that aren't posted on worldroots and other well-known sites about royals. To answer your question about the succession, had be stayed king and still not had children with Wallis, I think Bertie would've become king anyway, and so Lilibet would've eventually become queen, yes. Why? Because Lilibet's father Bertie was the second son of George V, therefore if Edward didn't have children, the crown would go to him and his descendants, which is what happenend.

[Grace]

RomanovFan, we share a keen interest..thank you for the thread.
I've often wondered...had he lived out his reign until his death in 1972, with Wallis, Duchess of Windsor/Cornwall/Whatever as his Consort, and them childless, how would the line of succession played out?

Among the members of the royal family in 1972, would Lillibet still have become Queen?

Sure, no problem. I've been looking for different photos of David lately, different ones that aren't posted on worldroots and other well-known sites about royals. To answer your question about the succession, had be stayed king and still not had children with Wallis, I think Bertie would've become king anyway, and so Lilibet would've eventually become queen, yes. Why? Because Lilibet's father Bertie was the second son of George V, therefore if Edward didn't have children, the crown would go to him and his descendants, which is what happenend.

RomanovFan, Bertie would not have become king if Edward had not abdicated, because Bertie died twenty years before Edward.  Therefore, as I said, Elizabeth would have succeeded Edward in 1972.

[Guinastasia]

Besides, I've read that when Bertie and David had the mumps, they both suffered from an inflammation of some kind of the testicles, which rendered David completely unable to have children.  Very sad.

[Prince_Lieven]

Yes, Wallis once said 'the Duke is not heir made'. Well, she might have said that - the source is Kitty Kelly. 

[Guinastasia]

I believe the exact phrase was that he was not "heir conditioned."  Heh.

Speaking of Wallis, does anyone know how to pronounce the name of one of her favorite designers: Mainbocher?

[Cunarder]

More of the Duke and Duchess...


I don't know jewelry, but even my uneducated determination is..."hideous."


In the Bahamas.




I like the Flamingo Brooch.   Stylish.

[TampaBay]

From a peron with a bad US Southern Accent:
     
        "mon-bow-shear or shea" 

I have heard both pronuncations form YANKS who speak fluent French.

I once made a fool of myself in Palm Beach and pronounced it:

        "main-bach-er"

    I just ordered everyone another round of Cocktails and pretended I already had one two many myself! 

TampaBay

NOTE:  Mainbocher was an American expatriate (US Citizen) who went to France and became a Francophile.  He did not come back to the US until WWII.  He relocated his salon to New York City.  He was the most expensive designer of his time until his death.

[TampaBay]

Someone needs to post the photo of the sapphie engagement bracelet.  This bracelet is my favorite "Wallis" piece.

TampaBay

[Cunarder]

"For our contract 18-v-37" was the inscription on the clasp.   Van Cleef & Arpels.





The Van Cleef "feathers," given to Wallis,  Christmas 1936.

[TampaBay]

THanks for the picture of the Sapphire Engagement bracelet.

The important thing to keep in mind and remember about Wallis is that she had her clothes custom desinged to display her jewelry instead of purchasing jewelry to match a particular outfit.  The jewelry was the base which explains why in most cases her clothes were simple with clean lines and the jewelry heavy/barbaric. 

99% of the time she "got it" perfect.  Her misses were not disasters just not up to parr for her and her design team/stylers.

TampaBay

[Guinastasia]

Damn.  She may not have been the most attractive woman on the planet, but she sure knew how to dress. 

(BTW, how do you pronounce "Mainbocher?")

I actually kinda like that big amethyst and turquoise collar thingy-with a plain silver satin dress?  Yowza!

[Guinastasia]

All right-thanks!  I asked in the Duke & Duchess thread too, sorry to be redundant.