Villa Windsor, Duke and Duchess of Windsor Paris Mansion | Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson Home Tour

[@fionaterris4855]

Was fortunate to have a private visit in the early 1990s. Their clothes were all still in the dressing rooms, and the fabulous jewellery collection on display downstairs. Unforgettable experience.

[@Jme62]

Oh wow! I envy you. I’ve seen pictures of her bedroom and it looks lovely; such a cool and peaceful blue. But so sad to think of her slowly dying (pretty much alone) for so long in those twilight years.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@Jme62 Finished now. In 2024 the mansion stands empty and bare (it is/has always been the property of the city of Paris - everybody who lived there, the Windsors, Al Fayed were tenants). It is being revamped by a foundation.

[@andyroo9381]

I have always been fascinated by this home. It is a beautiful mansion. If I ever visit Paris, again, I will try to see it for myself. It looks grand but small enough to manage.

[@solangelauthier2381]

You will ne disappointed : it is now (2024) empty. And it is smallish.

[@LaurenceDay-d2p]

Exquisite mansion. Not too large - just the right size, beautifully proportioned.

[@watthaile2053]

Indeed it was. I love those *small* mansions. I had one for about 25 yrs, and it was absolutely perfect size for a couple who like entertaining small groups of 10-30 persons.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@watthaile2053Indeed it is not large. Yet they had 20 servants !

[@watthaile2053]

​@@solangelauthier2381I would think that fits their personalities. For me, I prefer a minimum amount of servants.

[@chrisjpfaff314]

I had the opportunity to tour the building in 1999 when it was being leased to Mr. Fayed. I was doing business with him in London at Harrod's and he invited me to visit the house as well as the Ritz in Paris. When I visited, all the Antiques were gone, replaced with imitations. The house was starting to look a bit sad; the grounds were in need of work. But the place was really quite magnificent. It was my understanding from his employees there that his intention was to give it over to his son and Diana.

[@Brf111]

A lovely story. Thank you for sharing.

[@2352anne]

Loved hearing this story. So sad for Mr Fayed.

[@marilyndee969]

How wonderful that you were able to visit it as well as the Ritz! I had also read that he had intended for Dodi and Diana to live there. It was never to be. Definitely sad.

[@morenatrooper1438]

Thank you for sharing

[@janetclaireSays]

He was very wrong about Diana and Dodi getting married from what I've read.

[@greg75002]

"Wallis blue" was the bright blue of the Lanvin dress and pearl necklace she was wearing in the last picture at the end of the video. Not the bedroom's color which was pastel colored.

[@CarolFremel-my4hs]

You can never be too thin or too greedy

[@lanajessen9692]

Sad

[@watthaile2053]

Well, Wallis was most definitely more than plenty of each.

[@honeydate]

or not pretty

[@elizabethpeters4805]

Edward was absolutely obsessed with Wallis until the day he died, sad to say. Wallis was always exquisitely turned out, very smart, charming, and witty. She never pandered to Edward like many women did which possibly made him more fascinated with her. Edward's mistresses were usually married women and, Edward's romantic relationships had not been long-term. From what I have read, Wallis and Ernest utilized the association with Edward as a tool to advance Ernest's business interests and it never occurred to either Wallis or Ernest that the affair was anything more than an affair. Wallis' letters to Ernest during all the uproar are heartbteaking as it's painfully obvious that she actually loves Ernest and not Edward but politics, events, and blackmail overtook her. She did her best by Edward though which, IMO, was a hard road because he struck me as being extraordinarily shallow and stupid. So, if she enjoyed the wealth and the lifestyle it provided, it must have been a cold consolation as even a golden cage is still a cage.

[@booker0110]

Which she built herself

[@otto1630]

edward was a man child

[@elizabethpeters4805]

@@otto1630 at the very least.

[@Jme62]

You know, this might be one of the most aware and balanced assessments I’ve ever read about the Duchess. I think you’re spot on. I do think she had an almost maternal sort of love and affection for the Duke.But it’s kind of heartbreaking to think about the line in one of her letters to Ernest, talking about dreaming of being in their old flat and hearing his step in the hall. I’ve been reading Once a King by Jane Tippet, which uses material from Charles Murphy’s files - including unreleased manuscripts, letters and audio interviews with both the Duke and Duchess. She was really much more intelligent and insightful than she’s ever given credit for.

[@indigocheetah4172]

​@@Jme62, I read that after David's death, Wallis, didn't cope well in fact she had dementia. Seemingly, the woman who was her lawyer also managed the money, and was cruel to Wallis. In reality, neither were happy, that's how I remember the story.

[@veronicaroach3667]

Well my impression on this story looking at this gorgeous house is that Wallis was having the time of her life playing highly exotic 'house' & her husband looks as miserable as anything !!! I'm sure by that time he had gotten over his mad passionate desire for her at all costs, and might have been wondering why he put himself thru so much trauma just to be ruled by a very ambitious socialite ! I know when we are in love nobody can talk us out of it, but in the end the underlying characteristics of humans always arise & sometimes they are not as lovely as they at first appeared. Ambition is a horrible thing when it takes over !

[@susanewing7750]

From my extensive reading, the Duke pathetically never fell out of love with Wallis no matter how nasty she was. He was a weak man that needed to be dominated. In is written Wallis enjoyed being the King's favorite and amazing saw herself becoming the Queen but she never wanted the King to abocate. She never loved him and did not want to marry him and keep this dull man amused. She only married him because she was afraid of the world backlash if she didn't. He also threatened suicide if she left. Hope you find this interesting.

[@milenapaul6871]

Not everyone is a king material He was a spoiled young man who wanted someone to love him. It was his upbringing by the queen Mary.

[@lornabolger4186]

This story smacks of Harry and Meghan

[@marilyndee969]

@@susanewing7750- I also read the same things. I also read he threatened to kill himself if she did not marry him. She didn't want to marry him, and supposedly missed her former husband. Such is the price of social climbing. Poor former King, tied to this unpleasant woman.

[@miriamhavard7621]

Oh nonsense. You don't even know these people! 😂😂😂😂

[@caroltanzi29]

This mansion would be an interesting tour for me. I love antiques and history. Perfect! Carol from California

[@solangelauthier2381]

You would see no antiques at all : the mansion can now be (autumn 2024) be visited - but it is empty and bare, so not much interest. It is situated in the 16th arrondissement (route du Champ d Entrainement), not in Boulogne, but in the Bois de Boulogne - not the same ! You can google it. The mansion is being revamped by Fondation Mansart (another tenant).

[@carlafa3]

I loved this video! After the Chateau decMalmaison this is my 2nd favorite house in France. Small but so elegant. Stephane Boudin was genius interior designer and I remember hearing that Jacqueline Kennedy had planned to have him redo her bedroom in the White House (he had done some of the official rooms) but then President Kennedy was assassinated and it never came to pass. I really wish I could have visited Villa Windsor before it was stripped of the Duke and Duchess's possessions but wouldn't miss a chance to see it now. Thank you for the great job you did with this video.

[@alanbeattie1470]

Small and elegant, just like the Duchess.

[@meme-pw8lz]

actually I believe he did redo her bedroom - there are pictures online of the changes he made to Sister Parrish's original design

[@solangelauthier2381]

The interior designer who did the Windsor mansion was the famous Jansen company. Boudin worked for Jansen.

[@carolpageler8124]

They led an extravagant life..

[@cgas7344]

@@carolpageler8124 who wouldnt when the commoners paid for it all😂

[@linniem5982]

They had nothing. They lived in a social world accepting a living and gifts from rich friends.

[@cgas7344]

@@linniem5982 and you know that how?🤔

[@solangelauthier2381]

Those were other days. Times have changed.

[@booker0110]

See how Wallace already living in a lovely home wanted the big, bigger, biggest mansion she could get. 🤔

[@solangelauthier2381]

The Windsor mansion is really not that big, it is only the size of a large luxurious family home. Not many rooms. So it is not « the biggest mansion they could get ». But they had 20 servants.

[@tessdurberville711]

Did he ever look happy? I cannot remember ever seeing a picture of him smiling.

[@watthaile2053]

Lots of pictures of him smiling, but nearly all of those were in the early days. I think as life went on, more and more he began to realize the magnitude of the mistake he had made.😢

[@christinehall6441]

Just like Harry. 😊

[@misscoutts6193]

He hated public duties and constant hand shaking. Yet, I'm sure he longed for those days once he came face to face with reality. He had NO role or purpose in life.

[@sawahtb]

I think the Duke (former King) was given a choice about abdicating but not like everyone thinks. His support of Hitler, and Wallis's affair with a Nazi official doomed them. There's nothing about them except tragedy.

[@equine2020]

True they supported Hilter. Even visited him. The enemy of their country. Edward was a traitor.

[@equine2020]

Edward was a Hilter supporter. The enemy to England. He was a disgrace to the family.

[@lenamahayni6216]

True

[@patricebest545]

Abdication Right decision! Meeting Hitler and Nazis wrong decision! No coming back from betrayal disloyal

[@EricsIdle]

He was led (just like Harry) by his little head. THEY (not him - he was not bright enough at all) were Nazi sympathisers & befriended Herr H who promised to install them monarchically in Britan once he won.... Another lucky escape for the Brits. Also, she tried not to marry him as her only goal had been queen & once that was not possible...but he threatened suicide & she'd already dug her own grave publically. The royal family were gracious enough to have her interred with him alongside other monarchy in Frogmore. No wonder when he was considering his abdication at Windsor, the ghost of good Queen Bess appeared & told him "I am married to England" (documented record).

[@janetclaireSays]

"Traitor King" a good documentary.

[@franc9111]

Absolutely right.

[@Mamadukee1]

It would be wonderful to open it to the public, a little gold mine if correctly done !!!!!😊🇬🇧

[@deemic23]

Sadly the contents were all sold in the 90’s so really no connection anymore with the Windsors

[@solangelauthier2381]

The mansion is (2024) open to the public but it is completely empty. And being renovated by Fondation Mansart. But the furniture is gone for ever.

[@dilshaddealwis6543]

Fascinating!!! Beautifully presented.

[@fashionmomentswithellen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Rosiedelaroux]

Two great and stylish men of royal history

[@LoireValleyChateaux]

If Mohamed Al-Fayed spent 30 Million Francs restoring the Villa beginning in 1989, why in 2019 was it handed back to the city delaminated? ❤️🙏

[@noranelson3155]

My thoughts exactly.

[@misscoutts6193]

It all seems pointless.

[@theempress8947]

He was supposed to renovate it ... What happened ?

[@franc9111]

That is a very good question. I don't understand how Al-Fayed managed to get his hands on it in the first place. The French government at the time provided it to the Duke as part of a grace and favour arrangement on the condition that when he or his wife died, it would automatically revert back to the French state.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@franc9111The mansion belongs to the City of Paris, not the State. The Windsors and Al Fayed had long leases. Within the frame of such long leases you are supposed to keep the property in good condition. Al Fayed did not.

[@EricsIdle]

These days the bois du bolougne is renown as a "dodgy" area - it is highly charged with prositutes & also houses the nearest camping site to central Paris. And from (sometime) in summer this year, it will be open to the public.

[@elyjane8316]

It always had a 'dodgy' rep...

[@solangelauthier2381]

You have strictly no idea. The Windsor mansion is situated rue du Champ d Entrainement. No hookers there. No camping either. Do get proper information before you write anything. The Windsor mansion is now (end of 2024) open to the public (but on a very restricted basis:), yet, as it is now empty and bare, the interest is limited !

[@DakotaFord592]

Beautiful home!!

[@denesecarberry8826]

This was a fantastic video👏👏

[@fashionmomentswithellen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@solangelauthier2381]

Full of inaccuracies

[@CecilBoye]

They loved themselves

[@bobbiehazzard2018]

Say what you will about Wallis Windsor, the woman had style.

[@watthaile2053]

That is about the only good thing you can say for her. But, Yes, indeed she did have great style.

[@teresitaviera3000]

Glamour...❤

[@misscoutts6193]

Really Windsor was the name of the castle with which they had no connection and never visited after I936. Her real name was Wallis Saxe coburg und Gotha.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@misscoutts6193That was not HER name. That was HIS name.

[@dianehewitt579]

Thank you…fascinating.

[@jamesfox2579]

Beauuutiful Home!💕

[@asa1973100]

Remember that pair wanted to come back to England until QE2 said NO …. After seeing what they had been up to with the Nazis

[@teresitaviera3000]

Finalmente, "ellos" son de origen alemán.

[@RaymondCore]

These old homes are incredibly expensive and labor-intensive to maintain. KZbin is full of restoration videos of abandoned Villas all over France as the original owners lost their wealth maintaing their lifestyles. Many beautiful and lavish villas have fallen into irrepairable condition. These are museum peices. Interesting video, thank you for sharing.

[@nicolad8822]

These ones were close enough to Paris to survive, not in the middle of nowhere.

[@booker0110]

I have to add that because of the inheritance laws in France whereby your estate has to be divided equally between all the children great problems arise and some of the deserted chateaux fall into neglect because of this. Secondly the French have no interest in renovating old crumbling piles, they prefer new. Much like the Americans.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@booker0110 »The French have no interest in renovating old crumbling piles and prefer new » ? Speak for yourself ! Thank God we have more culture than that ! We do preserve our architectural heritage. The Windsor mansion, which belongs/has always belonged to the City of Paris (the Windsors and Al Fayed were only tenants) is currently (2024) being renovated - but it is empty.

[@solangelauthier2381]

Indeed mansions are expensive to maintain. All over the world, reason why they are unfortunately disappearing. But the Windsor mansion, not very old (built in the late 1920s), was never privately owned, it always was the property of the City of Paris (it is in Paris 16th, not in Boulogne, as the video wrongly says). The Windsors and Al Fayed were only tenants (long leases).

[@dragonmartijn]

Thanks for this video!

[@lynneparkinson8192]

Edward inherited Sandringham and Balmoral the privately owned Royal Estates when he became King. The money he got when he abdicated was buying back thise estates from him.

[@franc9111]

Absolutely right and the Royal Family were furious about it. The Duke lied about his fortune and kept on demanding more money from his brother, George VI, pretending that he didn't have enough to live on. In the end the King refused to take his phone calls. The Duke also made a lot of money speculating on currency which was illegal at the time. He risked being taken to court over it, but the Royal Family didn't want to face the scandal it would have caused.

[@dennisthomas6782]

Very interesting 🤔 and informative with a Royal touch ... Thank you so very much 😊

[@linniem5982]

I can see some of Edward's look in King Charles III 😮

[@Mamadukee1]

Great video and excellent narrative !!!!😊

[@fashionmomentswithellen]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tommoncrieff1154]

How big is a square pound?

[@solangelauthier2381]

Not so great, as the information given is all wrong. See my comment.

[@d.l.l.6578]

It galls me that they live in such luxury while average people struggle just to pay rent. Everything they had was paid for by taxpayers. I’ve heard that she was actually mean to him and said a lot of mean things.

[@CarolFremel-my4hs]

He loved it - he was a nasty little masochist pervert

[@JGJGAGSG]

It was a small price to pay and money well spent to get them the hell out of the UK forever. They were traitors.

[@booker0110]

Who does that remind you of?

[@d.l.l.6578]

@@booker0110 I have no idea. Who are you referring to?

[@mariadelcarmenrouco8014]

Me encanta la vida tan despreocupada d esta gente 😊😊😊😊

[@robertjoyal2495]

When Edward died and wallis went to England for the funeral, Queen Elizabeth asked her what side of Edward did she want to be buried on when she died .

[@archiviste600]

Superbe maison.ça réussi à tout ces grande allongées.

[@laurac8659]

I always thought this was in the country!

[@frankharrington4881]

No that was the mill! Patricia Gambino Harrington

[@franc9111]

@@frankharrington4881 Le Moulin de la Tuilerie in the Vallée de la Mérantaise - Gif-sur-Yvette. He bought it from an artist he knew. The Duke employed a gardener from Alsace, with whom he could speak in German. The valley does vaguely resemble somewhere in the Home Counties. They often had guests among the rich and famous and the Duke prided himself in making the cocktails for them.

[@solangelauthier2381]

The mansion is in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, route du Champ d Entrainement.

[@HRH.Wholly-Royal]

How did Mohamed end up selling Wallis and Edward’s belongings when he was leasing the property. Did I miss something?

[@barbarapearce9738]

It says he bought them from the charity Wallis donated them to.

[@pamelacorbett8774]

I think Wallis’s lady lawyer had a lot to do with the sale of everything in that house. Sad ending for Wallis, sick and kept isolated from her friends.

[@franc9111]

It shouldn't have happened.

[@parisalan1]

Wallis' will left the contents of the house to the Pasteur institute, which held an auction to sell them to use the proceeds for research, at that time, primarily AIDS. Fayed bought them and used them to recreate the home as it was when the Windsors lived in it.

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@parisalan1Absolutely correct. The Windsors never owned the mansion. They were only tenants.

[@David-xh6cm]

A beautiful house but somehow a sad reflection of a life spent in relative obscurity. The final years of The Duke and Duchess could hardly be described as very fulfilling or happy. A reflection of the time ? Possibly and in part a description of a rather sad, empty existence.

[@peterfuchs9490]

He loved her / She loved luxury more

[@hsmd4533]

Sounds like another “royal” couple…

[@stephanfourie6879]

Of course, he never ever stopped smoking!!! 😂

[@mchapman1928]

I think the ‘fascination’ wore off after a a while. He was a very foolish man. Fortunately, his decision was a gift to the British Empire.

[@AkakaDomenjer]

😂😂😂 and you know that because you just know 💩

[@xr6lad]

Like most men. Think with their Rod and thought the jiggy jiggy would be great forever.

[@emmajohnson6955]

Wallace always did look so sad and she knew she made a mistake.

[@nicolad8822]

So did he.

[@zzzbbbooo]

@@nicolad8822 They both made their own beds.

[@RobertSweet-nw4tm]

Did she make a mistake?

[@misscoutts6193]

Because they did not think they would be permanent outcasts of the royal family; Elizabeth Bowes Lyon made sure of that. David said he knew his brother would never do that to him as with denying her HRH but Bertie was weak.

[@sarahprice1375]

Id love to visit the villa very much

[@solangelauthier2381]

You can. But now (2024) it is empty and bare.

[@RobertSweet-nw4tm]

I love these videos for the amusement I get from the narrations. These have grave speech with educated accents coupled with hilarious incorrect utterances “square pounds” “ “looey seating”. Nice French accents most of the time.

[@teresitaviera3000]

Glamour!!!!!

[@edwardrodgers9383]

It's interesting to note, that the Mansion was occupied by the Nazies during WWII.🧐

[@solangelauthier2381]

Yes but also by General de Gaulle.

[@helenefelix8091]

very well done and gives many info..would like to visit it but it seems to be always closed..no official info aboiut reservation

[@solangelauthier2381]

You can visit it (2024) but 1) it is empty, so not interesting, 2) you have to contact the foundation (Fondation Mansart) which is revamping it. The mansion belongs (has always belonged, the Windsors were only long lease tenants) to the City of Paris. It is situated on Paris territory (route du Champ d Entrainement, 75016) not Boulogne, the video is wrong.

[@RobertSweet-nw4tm]

The very epitome of style and class. An aristocratic “tour de force”

[@BearDidIt]

I imagine the RF purchased a grey deal back. ❤

[@myboibill]

I’d lie to see it, even empty.

[@solangelauthier2381]

Well you can. But it is utterly uninterrsting.

[@kennethramonet5421]

I’ve read extensively about them and my opinion veers from that of a true love story that was fated to be a target of other very rich and very spiteful people (QE2’s mother) and two exceedingly selfish and self-centered people who acted like spoiled children. There’s no denying that he loved her and she didn’t reciprocate but she stayed in the marriage anyway. She definitely did NOT want to be Queen as multiple times she tried (and failed) to leave him.

[@booker0110]

Did your extensive reading include that fact that the Queen Mother now had a husband destined to be king although he was never prepared for that role, was cripplingly shy and had a speech impediment? It also meant her darling daughter Elizabeth was destined to be Queen which no one would ever want for their daughter. Edward and Wallis had behaved much like H&M, I think she could be forgiven for loathing the self serving couple. Oh and just like TOW Wallace was unpardonably rude to her when she and George were of inferior rank to Edward. Another tell.

[@kennethramonet5421]

@@booker0110 The Queen Mother was spurned by Edward and I believe never got over it. Any woman Edward ultimately paired with was going to get grief from her. Being American and twice divorced only made the job easier. They were also two very different people and it was short work for Elizabeth to turn the rest of the RF against Wallis. It’s really that simple.

[@AePa4859]

So many similarities to HazNo & Megaliar‼️

[@solangelauthier2381]

Next to Villa Windsor is another beautiful villa, in Art Deco style, built in the mid 1920s by a maharadjah for his Spanish former dancer wife.

[@LivingLegendMe]

It was later leased by Mohamed Al-Fayed, who would have gifted the lease to Diana, had she lived long enough to marry Dodi.

[@misscoutts6193]

Why do people give more to those who don't need it?

[@RoseSharon7777]

She would NEVER have lived there given its association with Wallis Simpson. NEVER!!

[@RoseSharon7777]

She would NEVER have lived there given its association to the Duchess. NEVER.

[@JGJGAGSG]

She was dating Dodi Fayed for like 6 weeks and you have them getting married???? Are you stupid or just easily taken in by bullshit?

[@tessdurberville711]

She was never going to marry Al-Fayed. She was using him to make Dr.Khan jealous and they were using her for "respectability". The senior Al-Fayed devised the "engagement" story to gain public sympathy. Narcissists.

[@lennyswiontek5057]

Beautiful home she really didn’t love him she loved expensive living off of the hardworking residents hard earned money

[@solangelauthier2381]

What residents ?

[@BuckCompher]

MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER BOUGHT ME A LOUIS XV GOLD SNUFF BOX THAT WAS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE WINDSORS AT THE GENEVA SALE I LOVE IT BUT LOVED HER EVEN MORE

[@cynthiareed4848]

He loved her she felt trapped but not enough to leave the lap of luxury he gave her.

[@79Bobola]

He also threatened to off himself, so there’s that

[@marybrown6468]

Cool couple!

[@01Lenda]

Nah

[@JGJGAGSG]

You clearly know nothing about them. Try reading some basic history and you won’t think they’re such a “cool couple”

[@booker0110]

Tripe

[@kaihachiya1582]

I only hope the imposing edifice will be open to the public allowing us to get a glimpse of how sumptuously the couple lived. as a Japanese, also curious about the involvement my former Emperor had with the house.

[@solangelauthier2381]

The mansion can be visited but it is now (2024) empty and bare, so not much interest… The furniture and the atmosphere are gone for ever.

[@solangelauthier2381]

At a certain point (after WWII) the mansion was the home of General De Gaulle too. Before he was Chief of State.

[@Jme62]

She did like the finer things in life, but she was also very clever. She used murals and trompe l’oeil to mimic much finer or richer materials than were actually used. Also, she must have felt she had to give the Duke a “royal” setting to make up for the palaces he’d given up for her.

[@mchapman1928]

True.

[@solangelauthier2381]

Not really « she ».. Boudin, from famous decorating company Jansen.

[@Jme62]

@@solangelauthier2381 Yes, she did use famous decorators after her last marriage. But she was also known for those “tricks” and workarounds in her earlier life too, when she was doing her own decorating

[@solangelauthier2381]

@ Her « own » decorating ? Anyway the tricks are known to anybody with a minimum of sense for decoration. Faux marbre etc have existed long before Wallis Simpson !

[@Jme62]

@ No doubt, sweetheart. I didn’t say she invented any of the techniques. I said she used them. But she did do the decorating during most of her first and second marriages without the assistance of a professional decorator or designer. And she used those techniques then, as well. Not just later when she was using professional designers like Boudin or de Wolfe. She was good at putting her own spin on decor, long before she had professional help.

[@robertwalker951]

Amazing free loaders

[@diannagi7778]

I’love to visit

[@solangelauthier2381]

You can, but it is now completely empty and bare, so not much to see…

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

they also lived in Château de la Croë on the Riviera.... this palace belonged to a russian billionaire until the war vs Ukrain....

[@watthaile2053]

They were famous for sponging off of people worldwide.

[@jenksvh1]

The Duke wanted his cake and eat it too, which he did. All thanks to the British taxpayers

[@beverlynBarnes]

Miami's going back 😂❤🎉

[@helenweatherby1694]

What on earth did he see in her?

[@silvanaclima2357]

O amor é cego, mudo e surdo.

[@watthaile2053]

She was domineering, controlling, demeaning, and at least early on, very skilled in the bedroom. All of the things he wanted.

[@mchapman1928]

A mommy.

[@watthaile2053]

​@@mchapman1928 I do believe you are correct. His mother was cold and demanding, as was Wallis.

[@mchapman1928]

@@watthaile2053 - His mum, Queen Mary, was cold, reserved, controlled, not a warm loving mother. That was her way, she was reared to be that way in her position. The children were left wanting more. The father, George V was strict, very strict. Both parents loved their children, but were unable to display loving emotion toward them. David found affection……attention….from Wallis. I suppose she filled that need in him, and it was so powerful, he gave up an Empire for her.

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

If Mr. Fayed spent 30,000,000 francs on the upkeep as was mentioned, surely that would have been enough for concurrent proprietors!

[@nicolad8822]

Subsequent?

[@solangelauthier2381]

Al Fayed never was the owner. Nor were the Windsors. They were tenants (long leases). The mansion has always been the property of the city of Paris. It is situated route du Champ d Entrainement, which is Paris 16th, not on the territory of Boulogne. The video has it all wrong. The mansion is currently (2024) being refurbished by a foundation (Fondation Mansart) through which it can ne visited (but empty).

[@jonclassical2024]

One must love the French, where a rule is stated as ..." it must take MORE than 24 months to build a building"....funny how they changed stance to repair Norte Dame......as an American...I couldn't agree more that they need to fund NATO w/o US support!!!!

[@booker0110]

As a Brit I agree with you.

[@denesecarberry8826]

Is it open to the public

[@piplebref4607]

It will be, although it's not yet clear precisely when. I cannot wait!

[@solangelauthier2381]

Autumn 2024 I visited it (private visit). Absolutely no interest, it is completely empty.

[@goldenrayofcentralsun1111]

I would like to own it.

[@solangelauthier2381]

Even with all the money in the world you could not. The mansion (built in the late 20s) belongs/has always belonged to the City of Paris. The Windsors and Al Fayed were only long lease tenants.

[@murraysmith8247]

Is the Villa now open in 2024 to the public ?

[@solangelauthier2381]

It is open. But totally empty, so not interesting. Address : route du Champ d Entrainement, 75016 - Paris (NOT Boulogne, the video is wrong). You can easily google it. It can be visited through Fondation Mansart, they are refurbishing it with a view to making it a museum. But the furnitute is gone.

[@stephengates1118]

The artist who painted the portrait of the Duchess of Windsor was Gerald Leslie Brockhurst. Not Gerald Rockhurst as incorrectly stated in the film.

[@solangelauthier2381]

A lot of inaccurate things in that video….

[@geraldtyus8645]

Gerald Brockhurst painted the picture of the Duchess of Windsor, not Rockhurst😢.

[@sascha-s7v]

they used to hang out with jesse woolworth and her son jimmy donahue

[@randywatts6969]

Her nemesis, the late Queen Mother, was intensely jealous of her

[@JGJGAGSG]

lol keep smoking your crackpipe

[@tessdurberville711]

I cannot imagine why. The Queen Mother was lovely.

[@79Bobola]

Queen mother was 4 years younger than Wallis and looked like an old maid. Queen mother was also incredibly nasty towards her.

[@JGJGAGSG]

@@79Bobola the Queen Mothet didn’t like Wallis because Wallis was a twat

[@indigocheetah4172]

The Queen mother, was just as avaricious as Wallis.

[@isabelledetaillefer2726]

Grand. But I'd have prefered the Moullin de la Tuillerie.

[@franc9111]

Did you know that it was Wallace's idea to change the name of that former water mill ? When the Duke bought it from an artist he knew, it was known by the name of the last miller who worked it - le Moulin Aubert. La Tuilerie might have been interpreted as a reference to the former palace in Paris, but in fact it was the name of the wood on the opposite side of the Vallée de la Mérantaise. Mosley lived not far away in a small château in Orsay. King George V asked the Breteuil Family to take on the task of educating his eldest son, as he and Edward VII had long been frequent guests at the Château de Breteuil, which again is not very far away from Gif-sur-Yvette. The Breteuil Family were diplomats and set up private meetings between Edward VII and leading French politicians that led to the Entente Cordiale. One of the pavillons standing in front of the Château was offered to both Edward VII and George V for them to stay in whenever they wished, so they renamed it 'Chester House'.

[@bewareofpigeons]

Correction: Gerald Brockhurst, the portrait painter, not Rockhurst.

[@jamesfahy3963]

Begorra.

[@123pb]

When you look at the Dukes expressions you can see he had buyers remorse. Gave up the throne for an average looking woman who lowered his status and raised hers....smdh

[@teresitaviera3000]

Y Carlos y Camila?

[@123pb]

@@teresitaviera3000 Charles never had the same status as his dad...?

[@sandrashockley5380]

I think it must have been a very sad place. How does one every get over the abdication of their solemn duty for the sake of personal gratification? How do you square it? Ever?

[@79Bobola]

Yeah it’s wrong to want happiness 🙄

[@guldenaydin9918]

💐

[@booker0110]

Look at his face at 6.51. What’s that all about?

[@Pigstarpatch]

Charles looks a lot like his great uncle.

[@milenapaul6871]

Too bad it's not open to the public who followed their story. Soon, the younger generation won't even know who they were. If I have a chance in April I'll look at least outside if that's possible.

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

Maybe for Paris olympic games.... You should look at Paris tourism office on the web if you're interested in visiting this villa....

[@solangelauthier2381]

Now (autumn 2024) the mansion is empty of any furniture. But it can be visited through Fondation Mansart (they are renovating it). Not much point. The furniture, the atmosphere is gone for ever.

[@litacastillo4884]

(you know) Harry and ( great Uncle Edward) they look alike ( they don't smile) 😮

[@K.herrington7763]

Harry looks a great deal like his Great grandmother Mary at a young age but I think Im the only one thats noticed it.

[@nmc398]

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but she was no beauty. 😬

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

Baeuty has nothing to do with charisma and charme....

[@watthaile2053]

Darling, he did not marry her for love. He married her because she was domineering and sadistic. They were not your average couple, and certainly not the cute little romantic couple always put forth.

[@elyjane8316]

...but she had charisma

[@watthaile2053]

​@@elyjane8316Indeed she did have charisma, a huge sense of style, was always impeccably dressed, and was insanely ambitious.. It's hard to top that combination.

[@davewatson2124]

Apparently she had a particular gift. Need i go into detail if you get my meaning.

[@robertwalker951]

Did they buy it ?

[@petraschwingeler9688]

No, they rented it

[@solangelauthier2381]

@@petraschwingeler9688 They rented it (long lease), just as Al Fayed did, from the City of Paris.

[@AndreeaMocanu-cq2wl]

They really loved each other

[@БанниБакс-э7е]

Надо еще больше анимированных титров и эффектов из прошлого века, а то мало мельтешения перед глазами, сложно смотреть.

[@ernestoordonez1752]

el único valor que tenian eran las joyas de la duquesa ,claro algunos objetos ,ellos eran tacaños siempre los invitaban para no gastar ,ellos viajaban mucho ,los muebles eran de calidad pero no antiguos como los palacios de verdad ,... ellos iban al campo cerca de paris .

[@ShierlyFernandes]

No that is Margarets and blu e daszy is what find out .

[@anneblackler-qe5pe]

At least she didn't bring shame to the royal family

[@jean-marieguillaume1122]

Je pense qu'il a regretté.sa position n'avait plus rien a voir .avec son titre de roi..je pense d'Harry qu'il regrettera tout comme son grand oncle.meghan n'a rien a faire ds la monarchie.!!.😡😡

[@carlafa3]

*Chateau de Malmaison

[@suzannewebb7913]

Gosh King Charles looks like him

[@sarakaychilds2565]

So they lived pretty good without the royal family...

[@janluitzenroelevink1451]

Funny Charles and his .......

[@sarahmoore4635]

HE WAS A FOOL

[@79Bobola]

He was a man child with mommy issues. She did everyone a favor by taking him away from the throne.

[@merlinshouseoffreereadings4641]

I actually think he wasn’t bright. I don’t think he was properly educated. I think many royals were not educated. They were just fixtures. No real need to learn and be functional ppl. He was the fool. I think the same of Harry.

[@solangelauthier2381]

They could. It is a rented place. The Windsors were only tenants. They never owned the place. It belonged/still belongs to the City of Paris.

[@solangelauthier2381]

The Bois de Boulogne mansion, built in the late 1920s in the 16th arrondissement of Paris (route du Champ d Entrainement) has absolutely nothing to do with Chateau de Madrid (16th century, destroyed at the end of the 18th century - not yesterday), it is not even the same location/address ! The Windsors were RENTING that mansion from the City of Paris, to whom it belongs. Mohammed Al Fayed later also rented the mansion and turned it into a sort of private museum (he had bought many things that had belonged to the Winsors) ; he lived in the (obviously refurbished !) former servants’s quarters on the top floor. The mansion now stands empty and bare, its contents having been taken away by the Al Fayed family. Fondation Mansart is revamping it (2024).

[@Markyrob]

First you said it will be opened to the public then you retract that - can’t follow this BS

[@solangelauthier2381]

In autumn 2024 the mansion can be visited (through Fondation Mansart) but it is totally empty. Furniture and atmosphere gone for ever.

[@georginapaul9672]

I don t like her.

[@lesamisdelacuisineprovenca9534]

She doesn't care !!

[@79Bobola]

Because you buy into the bs misinformation, smear campaign that is always regurgitated about her. Sad.