Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII lived in one of the most romantic royal affairs of the 20th century. The couple met in 1930: he the heir to the British throne, she married an American socialite. Her son George V did not accept her relationship with Wallis, and although he had ascended the throne, he eventually renounced his love rights and married Wallis in June 1937 at Cande Castle near Tours.
The couple traveled half way around the world, but France became their refuge and they lived for many years in the Villa Windsor, a magnificent mansion located in the Bois de Bononia, very close to Paris, which will now become a museum, as it was developed by the city. Council of Paris The house sits on nearly two acres of land, and is distinguished by its limestone construction, iron balconies, and arched windows. The building was designed as a summer residence by Parisian urban planner Georges-Eugéne Haussmann in the mid-19th century, and before it was rented by Eduard and Wallis in 1952, it was also Charles de Gaulle’s residence.
In its heyday, Windsor Castle was a magical setting where the Dukes held their prestigious evenings, accompanied by names such as Marlene Dietrich and Elizabeth Taylor. Looking at the decor, delegated by Jackie Kennedy’s favorite interior designer, Wallis Simpson was the perfect host.
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Elizabeth II, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles visited the mansion shortly before the death of Edward VIII, who died in this house on 28 May 1972 and was buried in Frogmore Cemetery. Wallis Simpson also passed away fourteen years later at Windsor Castle.
After his death, Mohamed Al Fayed signed the firm (Diana came from Wales to visit Windsor Castle with her lover Dodi Al Fayed) and now the town hall gave home to the Fondation Mansart, dedicated to fostering and preserving the French heritage. to open his house publicly to fulfill his plans. This will require a million dollar renovation, and all indications are that the installation will coincide with the celebration of the Olympic Games in Paris, in the summer of 2014.
