The Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

by Hugo Vickers

The story of King Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated the English throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, the women I love, an American who was twice divorced, is perhaps the most romantic saga of the twentieth century. While the dramatic events involving this famous couple may be familiar, this fascinating book provides a fresh look at their lives through the extraordinary collection of private photographs recently discovered in the Windsor residence in Paris, many of which have never been published before. In 1986 Mohammed Al Fayed, who revitalized two venerable institutions, Harrods in London and the Ritz Hotel in Paris, purchased the Paris mansion that had been the last home of the Duke and Duchess; he also acquired the contents of the house. As the residence was being restored, a few photographs emerged from drawers and chests, together with old scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, and other mementos of the couple's life together. But it was not until 1988 that the mahogany lid covering the bathtub in the Duke's bathroom was lifted to reveal the most exciting find - an additional hoard of some ten thousand photographs. The staff had hidden the pictures in the bathtub to keep them safe from acquisitive visitors during the Duchess's long illness, when many private papers were disappearing from the house. The photographs range from family snapshots to formal portraits by such well-known photographers as Cecil Beaton and Karsh of Ottawa. This remarkable cache of photographs, scrapbooks, and other objects from the house reveal the Windsors' very different backgrounds - the Duke as a royal prince, brought up to be heir to a worldwide empire, the Duchess growing up in anunremarkable family in Baltimore. The photographs show them as young adults, portray their romance, and reveal their thirty-five years of married life in exile following the Abdication.

Genres: Biography, Royalty, Nonfiction, History, British Literature

239 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Hugo Vickers is a writer and broadcaster, who has written biographies of many twentieth century figures, including the Queen Mother, Gladys, Duchess of Marlborough, Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, a study of Greta Garbo, Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece, and his book, The Private World of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor was illustrated with pictures from their own collection. Mr Vickers’s book, The Kiss: The Story of an Obsession won the 1996 Stern Silver Pen Award for Non-Fiction.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "coffee-table" sized book. Fortunately I was able to request it through the Inter Library Loan program from my local library because I would never have been able to afford to purchase it. So it was a treat for me to be able to get my hands on it.
I have long been interested in the story of Mrs. Simpson and Prince Edward and could not resist a book with such an intriguing title.
If you are fascinated by their story, you will enjoy the book which is filled with many photos of the couple, their friends and pets. I could imagine how Mr. Fayed felt coming across these photos and trying to piece together the story of their private life. How exciting to find such a treasure and how delightful to be able to share it with others who are also fascinated by the subject.
I cannot afford the luxury of travel and this is as close as I am ever going to get to visiting one of the homes of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

[Manny Villa]

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[M]

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[Rho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the summer of reading old books about the Windsor's. As shallow and selfish as their lives were they are interesting. The photos in this book were found only after her death. There were 10,000 photos of them in his bathtub (covered with a mahogany top. He ONLY showered.) That means for the duration of the time that they were married, they were photographed approximately 300 times a year. This is a pictorial history of their life - her wardrobe and jewels and his adoration of her.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad the library had it, because I wouldn't be buying it. Nice pictures.

Wallis Simpson, the "Camilla" of her day; maybe worse. ugh. But that's their business; not everyone's cut out for the rigors of being a King.

[Jennifer Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Illustrations some picture's never seen up until it was printed. Beautiful book but very expensive though.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and detailed insights into the life of the Duke and Duchess.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a visual delight this book turned out to be; while the accompanying text helped flesh out the characters of this fascinating story.