Wallis Simpson, born on June 19, 1896, in Pennsylvania, was an American socialite who would go on to become one of the most controversial figures in British royal history. She was the daughter of Teackle Wallis Warfield and Alice Montague. Growing up, Wallis was known for her beauty and charm, which would later capture the attention of King Edward VIII.
Wallis was married three times in her lifetime. Her first marriage was to Earl Winfield Spencer, Jr., whom she wed in 1916. The marriage was not a happy one, and the couple eventually divorced in 1927. Wallis then went on to marry Ernest Aldrich Simpson in 1928, but this marriage also ended in divorce in 1936.
Before her infamous relationship with the Duke of Windsor, Wallis lived a life of luxury as a socialite, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. She traveled extensively, spending a year touring China aboard the troop carrier USS Chaumont. It was during these years that Wallis honed her impeccable sense of style and cultivated her network of influential friends.
Wallis' life took a dramatic turn in 1936 when King Edward VIII announced his intention to marry her, thereby giving up the British crown. The news sent shockwaves throughout the British Empire, as the idea of a king marrying a divorced woman was unprecedented. The British government, led by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, was staunchly opposed to the marriage, citing the Church of England's prohibition on divorce. Despite the protests, Edward went ahead with the abdication, choosing love over duty.
Wallis' relationship with the Duke of Windsor was fraught with scandal from the start. The fact that she was still pursuing a divorce from her second husband when she became involved with Edward only added fuel to the fire. The couple's affair caused an uproar in society, with many questioning the morality of the situation. Despite the controversy, Wallis and Edward remained devoted to each other, facing the world together as outcasts.
After the abdication, Wallis and Edward lived out the rest of their days in exile, traveling the world and enjoying each other's company. They were finally able to marry in 1937, and Wallis was granted the title of Duchess of Windsor. The couple's love endured until Edward's death in 1972, after which Wallis lived a quiet life in Paris until her own passing in 1986.