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

[Douglas]

Oldtimers that lived in that era have told me that the party photo was much lampooned in it's day.  Many critics of the pair snidely said that the only crown the former king actually wore was a "paper party crown."

In retrospect,  it does look absurd in an odd garish way.

[grandduchessella]

They certainly don't look miserable in this photo to me.  I am frankly surprised that David would have allowed such a photo to be taken, coronation year or otherwise.  I think it rather proves to us all that he did not take the role he was born to with particular gravity - either at the time he inherited the crown or later. 

Of course there will be those who disagree and think I'm being too harsh...

I think you're dead-on Grace. It's rather surprising, especially in the Coronation year of a monarch who became Queen because of his actions. He actually looks less woebegone (as someone accurately described him) than usual.

[LadyTudorRose]

That's the same one I found.

I'm just curious, do you have the hardback copy of the book. I have the paperback and the picture stops right above Wallis' hands.

Yeah, I have the hardback.

In their defense, apparently it was a party and a bunch of other people were wearing the paper crowns too. Still a bit undignified, though.

[Terence]

In their defense, apparently it was a party and a bunch of other people were wearing the paper crowns too. Still a bit undignified, though.

For Americans it might help to understand that wearing paper crowns is an old British tradition at the holidays.  I was surpised at this when my wife's family insisted we all wear these goofy things one Christmas.  Her grandma was an immigrant from Scotland.

A bit bizarre that the Duke of Winsor would consent to the 2 of them being photographed that way, but it had been many years since he lost his crown, maybe he just had a sense of humor about it by then.  Who knows since none of us was there at the moment.

T

[RichC]

In their defense, apparently it was a party and a bunch of other people were wearing the paper crowns too. Still a bit undignified, though.

For Americans it might help to understand that wearing paper crowns is an old British tradition at the holidays.  I was surpised at this when my wife's family insisted we all wear these goofy things one Christmas.  Her grandma was an immigrant from Scotland.

A bit bizarre that the Duke of Winsor would consent to the 2 of them being photographed that way, but it had been many years since he lost his crown, maybe he just had a sense of humor about it by then.  Who knows since none of us was there at the moment.

T

I have numerous British relatives but I've never heard of this particular custom around Christmas.

Edward VIII and Wallis (to whom I am distantly related by marriage) weren't very nice people.  She was a gold digger, pure and simple, and he was a fool with the maturity of a teenager. 

I think I read somewhere that she was a dominatrix.  Has anyone else ever heard that story?  Maybe that's why Madonna wants to portray her in the movie!  LOL

[Douglas]

The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.

The wearing of the paper hats and crowns is a British tradition that is often seen in films of that era.  And yes, it's looks goofy to us today.

[Grace]

The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.

The wearing of the paper hats and crowns is a British tradition that is often seen in films of that era.  And yes, it's looks goofy to us today.

It does?  Lots of people still wear paper hats at Christmas and birthdays where I come from.  Not crowns though. 

[LadyTudorRose]

The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.

The wearing of the paper hats and crowns is a British tradition that is often seen in films of that era.  And yes, it's looks goofy to us today.

My English grandmother used to have those at Christmas dinner, but they never had paper hats. Usually there was a little toy and maybe a piece of candy.

Of course this was much later in the 1990's. 

[tom_romanov]

I have no idea how this topic went from Edward and Wallis to party hats/crowns!  However if you are referring to the tissue paper crowns you get in Christmas crackers, along with a joke (what sits at the bottom of the sea and shivers? - a nervous wreck! hilarious ) and a little toy ( four dominoes - wow!) then my family still put them on for about 5 minutes then they get discarded or put on the dog 

[TampaBay]

One of the things Wallis wore very little of after 1940 based on pictures was hats.  This is a departue from most Royal women of the time.

However, Wallis made up for it in the Jewelry department.  The bib neklaces and chunky jewelry are just as fashionable today as they were in her hey day as member of the international best dressed list.

TampaBay

[LadyTudorRose]

Personally, I think it was the right decision for her. She didn't look good in the kind of big hats the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II have been known for. Also, IMHO some of the hats the women of Windsor have worn are just way too much, to the point of being tacky. When Wallis did wear a hat it was always simple and not overdone.

[Lucien]

Britain's Nazi King:

http://library/digiguide.com/lib/uk-tv-highlight/Britain's-Nazi-King+-+Revealed-7558/Documentary/

Tonight on five at 08.00.

[joan_d]

As is the usual custom for an out-of-town dignitary, "entertainment" was arranged: a woman of the Stuart Line, through the Kirkpatricks and the Potters. They spent most of the weekend drinking.  Most of it.

I was born nine months later.   And it took nearly forty years for that Army nurse to come clean with the whole story.

Hi. I'm the Duke's illegitimate daughter, born in his fifthtieth year, 1944.  Nice to meet you.

Surprise, surprise!   Believe me, I was more than surprised at all this.

I'm now old enough to care, and to go back into history to understand what happened and why.



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Oh dear - I can recommend a good therapist.


Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg, age now 65.

[Robert_Hall]

Xmas crakers?  Sure, I have them every  holiday for over 30 years.  Sometimes  on birthdays- especially if in December. Yhe hats are just tissue paper cutouts and just for a brief bit of fun. Destined for the recycle bin. The more  one spends, the better the  "surprises". The Windsors probaby came from Hatchards, I prefer Fortnum & Mason.most folks probably got them from Woolworths- or cheaper even. The last time I was at Windsor castle, they were selling them. They probably had crowns. The Windsors may have been at a nightclub  with jimmy donahue!

[joan_d]

The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.

The wearing of the paper hats and crowns is a British tradition that is often seen in films of that era.  And yes, it's looks goofy to us today.

Crackers !!!   Certainly the right subject for this thread.