Wallis, Duchess of Windsor

1 portrait of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor

© William Hustler and Georgina Hustler / National Portrait Gallery, London

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Wallis, Duchess of Windsor

by Dorothy Wilding
toned bromide print, 1935
11 1/2 in. x 8 in. (291 mm x 202 mm)
Given by the photographer's sister, Susan Morton, 1976
Photographs Collection
NPG x25936

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Dorothy Wilding (1893-1976), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 2179 portraits, Sitter in 30 portraits.

This portraitback to top

At the time of this photograph Bessie Wallis Warfield was still married to Ernest Simpson although she had already been a part of the Prince of Wales's circle for some four years. Edward accompanied her to the photographer's studio in London, fetching the cairn terrier from the car at Wallis's request.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Rogers, Malcolm, Camera Portraits, 1989 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 20 October 1989 - 21 January 1990), p. 221 Read entry

    When George V died on 20 January 1936 his son Edward VIII came to the throne with the firm hope that he could make Wallis Warfield his queen. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, an early marriage ended in divorce, and she then married an Anglo-American Ernest Simpson with a shipping business in England. He brought her to London, where her good looks, vivacity and stylishness won her a place in society, and the love of the Prince of Wales. Her husband resigned himself to a divorce, and a decree nisi was granted in October 1936. But the Prime Minister Baldwin felt that a marriage between the King and a divorcee would be impossible, and Edward, faced with a choice between the throne and Mrs Simpson, chose 'the woman I love'. He abdicated on 11 December, and the couple were married in France in June the following year. As Duke and Duchess of Windsor they lived for the rest of their lives in almost permanent exile in France - the Duchess was ostracized in England - as part of the international set, and dedicated exponents of 'the Windsor style'.

    Dorothy Wilding was the most successful woman photographer of her day with studios in Bond Street, London (from 1924) and New York (from 1937), and her work is elegant and flattering. In her autobiography, appropriately entitled In Pursuit of Perfection (1958), she recalls that this photograph was taken when she was away from her studio 'gardening in my little country cottage at Petersham. … there are times when you have to let go to keep yourself fresh and at the top of your form'. The photograph was actually taken by her assistant Marion Parham who 'was like salt to my egg and butter to my bread'. When 'the four o'clock appointment - Mrs Simpson' turned up at the studio accompanied by the Prince of Wales she initially caused great consternation, but Parham was soon 'on the job'. The Prince was ordered to bring the Cairn terrier from the car, 'and, dutifully, he did so'. Ironically, Dorothy Wilding was chosen as the first woman royal photographer - for the coronation of George VI in 1937. This print is an unretouched proof.

  • Tremain, Rose (essay), BP Portrait Award 2010, 2010 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 24 June to 19 September 2010), p. 9

Placesback to top

Events of 1935back to top

Current affairs

Stanley Baldwin starts his third term as Prime Minister after Ramsay Macdonald resigns due to ill health. Coincidentally, Baldwin's first term in office also came about when the Prime Minister of the time, Bonar Law, stepped down due to illness in 1923.

Art and science

Robert Watson-Watt demonstrates Radar, showing how an aircraft can be tracked by detecting radio waves reflected off it. During the war, Watson-Watt established a network of machines and operators that helped detect the approach of enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain.
Penguin publishes its first paperback books, making reading more portable and affordable to a wider audience.

International

Italy invades Abyssinia. The invasion of the country now known as Ethiopia was part of Mussolini's plan to create an Italian Empire. It was also an attempt to avenge Abyssinia's victory over the Italian army at Adowa in 1896.
Germany introduces conscription, breaking the disarmament clause of the Treaty of Versailles.

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