The Infamous Mrs Simpson Trivia Quiz

Answer: Earl Winfield Spencer

Earl 'Win' Spencer was an officer in the US Navy. During their marriage they spent time in, amongst other places, China. There have been allegations of scandalous goings-on during that time, details of which are said to have found their way to the UK government when Wallis became involved with the Prince of Wales. As far as I know, no-one has ever seen the proof, so we may never know the truth.
'Win' was a violent drunk, and they divorced in 1927. Wallis married Ernest Simpson in 1928.
The Prince's long-standing mistress was Lady Furness, but the Simpson's entry into high society threw Wallis into the Prince's circle, and the rest is history.

Answer: Bessie Wallis Warfield

She was the daughter of Teackle Wallis Warfield and his wife Alice Montague. Teackle died of TB when Wallis was only a few months old, leaving his widow and child dependent on the generosity of richer relatives. Her mother took in boarders at one time to make ends meet, but Wallis was able to join in most of the social events open to her class in society. She hated being called 'Bessie Wallis' because she thought it sounded like a cow, so she dropped the first name as soon as she could.
Bessie Merryman was the name of her aunt.

Answer: Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania

Her birthdate was 19th June 1896. She lived until she was almost 90, dying on 24th April 1986, having been a widow since 1972. Most of her widowhood was spent in poor health, and she had been a recluse for many years by the time she died.

Answer: HRH the Duke of Windsor

It became clear that public opinion would not allow the marriage of the King - who was also Head of the Church of England - to marry a woman with two previous husbands still alive. Determined to go ahead with the marriage, Edward abdicated in December 1936, and was succeeded by his younger brother who became King George VI.

The Duke, as a Royal Prince, was entitled to use the title 'HRH' (His Royal Highness). The Duchess, on the other hand, was refused permission to be called HRH, because it was felt she might divorce for a third time, and the possibility of her being able to keep the title if she did was unthinkable. Nobody thought the marriage would last.
The Duke always insisted that people they met addressed his wife as 'Your Royal Highness' and either bowed or curtseyed to her.

Answer: Chateau de Cande, France

The Chateau de Cande, near Tours, was the property of an American, Charles Bedaux, who later was known to work actively for the Nazis in WWII. The marriage ceremony was performed by Dr R.A. Jardine and none of the Duke's family attended. The marriage was a source of bitterness within the Royal family because it was considered wrong for the Duke to have put personal happiness before duty.

The new Duchess wore a long cocktail-type dress in 'Wallis Blue', by Mainbocher. The dress is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Answer: France

It was felt impossible for the Windsors to live in England.
The French government made very generous tax concessions to the Duke, which was without doubt a great consideration when deciding where they would live. They had some beautiful houses in and around Paris, and spent a lot of time in the south of France on the Cote d'Azure; they travelled widely. The style they lived in was, to say the least, luxurious, and the Duchess had an undoubted talent for making a beautiful home and for entertaining in great style. She was famous for her chic clothes and fabulous jewellery.

Answer: Governor of the Bahamas

The Government feared that, in the event of a German invasion, King George VI might be deposed and replaced by the Duke of Windsor as a puppet king. Plans were therefore made to get the Windsors as far away as possible.

The Duchess became involved with the Red Cross and other charities, and did some useful war work, but neither of them liked living in what they considered to be a backwater. They hated the climate and the inadequate accommodation, and any excuse was enough to get them off to America. Despite requests to be reassigned to somewhere more congenial, they spent from 1940-45 in the Bahamas.

Answer: Aimlessly

They were childless. It is said that the Duchess had an abortion in the 1920s that rendered her sterile, following an affair with Mussolini's son-in-law, Count Ciano.
The Duke spent a lot of time playing golf and studying his investments, and the Duchess socialized constantly. They travelled a lot and entertained lavishly.
From photographs of them at the time, they look sad and bored. There were stories of her infidelities, though the Duke remained her devoted slave.

Answer: Dementia

The Duke died of cancer.
The Duchess's health failed after the Duke died. She broke her hip twice and eventually became crippled with arthritis; by the time that death finally claimed her she was unable to speak or move independently. She suffered for some years from dementia. During these years of widowhood she was exploited by her lawyer Maitre Suzanne Blum, who took control of her entire life and belongings. The Duchess's friends were refused permission to see her. It would have been a sad end for anyone.

Answer: Frogmore, Windsor

The Duke died in 1972 and was given a Royal funeral with all the honours due to a former 'King of Great Britain, Ireland and British Dominions beyond the Seas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India'. He was buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor, next to his brother the Duke of Kent.

On her death in 1986 the Duchess's body was brought to Windsor with all due ceremony, and her funeral held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the presence of HM The Queen and members of the Royal Family. She was buried beside the Duke at Frogmore.