Have you seen The King’s Speech yet? If not, you should.
It’s a thoroughly British affair focused on a stammering heir to the throne, the crippling force of duty and friendship across class boundaries. Crucially, it also paints an entirely unforgiving picture of Wallis Simpson- the glamorous American divorcee whose love affair with Edward VIII led to his abdication. The King’s Speech portrays them as selfish wastrels in contrast to the admirable and dutiful future King George VI and Queen Mother, played brilliantly by Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter.
Told another way of course, Wallis and the Duke of Windsor, as he would become, were romantics and theirs is a story of bravery of another kind. It’s a version that I suspect Madonna may tell, as an American after all, in her upcoming film about the infamous Wallis.
Later in life they discuss how they first met for a documentary:
Love her or loathe her, it’s difficult to deny that Wallis was incredibly striking with a wonderful sense of style.
She also had a fantastic collection of jewellery, much of it from legendary jewellers Cartier. Some of the key pieces recently went on sale at Sotheby’s, fetching record breaking amounts. This beautiful flamingo clip went for almost $3 million.
And this glittering Panther bracelet went for a staggering $7 million- well above its top estimate.
The panther is an iconic motif in jewellery design- it’s been a popular feature of Mawi designs in the past. And watch this space for the coming seasons… we promise ours won’t have a price tag of $7 million though!
