Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson's life in exile

The historical relationship and lifestyle of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, are highlighted through recent biographical accounts and historical context. Following Edward VIII’s 1936 abdication of the British throne to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson, the couple relocated to the French Riviera.

During their time on the Côte d'Azur, the couple lived in a palatial residence that served as a social hub for cosmopolitan figures such as Coco Chanel, Salvador Dalí, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. While the British press frequently criticized the couple, they maintained a luxurious lifestyle funded by significant wealth. The residence they occupied was later sold to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1949 and was eventually owned by Roman Abramovich in 2004.