Wallis: The Queen that Never Was
A new docudrama gives an insight into Wallis Simpson and reveals a secret side to her...
This one-off drama documentary tells the story of the biggest British Royal crisis of the last century when King Edward VIII gave up the throne so he could marry the woman he loved – American divorcée Wallis Simpson. Cuffs star Georgina Rich plays Wallis, while Alex
Avery is Edward.
Fewer women caused more scandal in the 20th Century than Wallis Simpson. In 1936, the twice-divorced American socialite came between king and country when Edward VIII gave up the throne to marry her.
Now, more than eight decades later, a fascinating docu-drama uses Wallis’ private letters and diaries to reveal a different side to the story.
In her own words
Was she more a victim than a villain? Did she find herself trapped by an obsessive Prince, who emotionally blackmailed her into marrying him?
‘Wallis has been painted as a brash, ambitious, evil temptress,’ says Georgina Rich, who plays her. ‘But this story is based on her own words from her private memoirs which weren’t available at the time.’
Beginning with Wallis’ early years in Baltimore, the film follows her abusive first marriage to US Navy pilot Winfield Spencer, her love for second husband, shipping magnate Ernest Simpson, and her scandalous affair with a ‘playboy’ prince.
‘People assumed Wallis set her sights on Edward and she wanted to be queen,’ says Georgina. ‘But he became infatuated with her and in his letters you can hear his obsessive nature. He was very needy.’
Also in the film, biographers and historians explain how Wallis had little choice but to marry Edward after he gave up the throne.
‘She begged him not to abdicate,’ says Georgina. ‘She was trapped. The older generation were fed such strong diet of what a terrible woman she was. But after watching this, perhaps people may view Wallis as a fascinating celebrity who was at the centre of a great story.’