Wallis, Duchess of Windsor; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)

Sittersback to top

• Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII) (1894-1972), Reigned 1936. Sitter associated with 345 portraits.
• Wallis, Duchess of Windsor (1896-1986), Wife of Duke of Windsor. Sitter in 186 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist associated with 1052 portraits, Sitter associated with 314 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Edward left England for France immediately after his Abdication speech on 11 December 1936. He and Wallis were married at the Château de Candé on 3 June 1937 by a Church of England vicar acting without the authority of his bishop. Cecil Beaton was invited to take photographs on the day before the wedding but was not asked to stay on for the ceremony itself.

Portrait setback to top

• The Duke and Duchess of Windsor: photographs by Cecil Beaton, 1937-49

Subject/Themeback to top

• Buildings and architecture