The King of Rock ’n’ Roll: how Charlie Watts secretly bought Edward VIII’s suits
CHARLIE WATTS, who died aged 80 last month, was much praised for his impeccable style. Now it has emerged that the Rolling Stones drummer possessed a secret treasure trove of Royal clothes.
According to friends, Watts had a collection of Edward VIII’s suits known only to those closest to him.
‘Charlie bought the suits from a Sotheby’s Paris sale,’ says a source close to the smartly dressed late rocker. ‘One of his friends tried the jackets on with him, but they didn’t fit, so Charlie bought them.’
As these pictures show, Watts seems to have been inspired by the Queen’s uncle’s style on a number of occasions.
Above, he is pictured in 1996 sporting the same check suit worn in 1969 by Edward (known as the Duke of Windsor following his abdication in 1936).
And Watts wore a pink number in 2002 that had previously been owned by the Duke, shown in this 1951 photograph with the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson.
A spokesman for Watts confirmed that he bought the items at auction, saying ‘he loved a wellmade Savile Row suit. His inspiration was classic suits from Savile Row, the same for anyone growing up in the 40s – both kings and modernists from Wembley!’