Simpson, Wallis Warfield Spencer, Duchess of Windsor

views updated May 17 2018

Simpson, Wallis Warfield Spencer, Duchess of Windsor (1896–1986) Wife of the Duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII of England. A US divorcee, she began her association with Edward when he was Prince of Wales. Their relationship caused controversy and was the pretext for Edward's abdication in December 1936. Having divorced her second husband, Ernest Simpson, she married Edward in 1937.