Wallis Simpson, born on June 19, 1896, in Pennsylvania, United States, gained worldwide notoriety for her role in the abdication crisis of King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom.
While her relationship with the British monarch remains the most well-known aspect of her life, Wallis Simpson had an unparalleled passion for exquisite jewellery. Her dazzling collection featured an extensive array of breathtaking Rubies, mesmerising Emeralds, and an impressive collection of bejewelled animals.
Having been his mistress for a number of years, upon his ascension to the throne in January, Wallis Simpson believed that her relationship with the new King Edward VIII would come to an end. However, his love for her only grew stronger, eventually reaching a level of obsession.
Despite Edward’s strong desire for Wallis to become his queen, the government and the Church of England would not accept a divorced woman as his consort. Moreover, there were underlying concerns about Edward’s suitability for the throne, which led to his eventual abdication in December 1936.
In his famous speech, Edward (now to be known as the Duke of Windsor) declared:
‘I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.‘
Wallis and Edward would marry France in 1937 but despite marrying a former king, Wallis was denied the title HRH (Her Royal Highness). This did not stop Edward from buying her jewels fit for a Queen.
Yellow diamonds are rare gemstones, with only around 1 in every 10,000 mined diamonds being a noticeable yellow colour. The intensity of the yellow colour can vary widely, ranging from faint yellow to intense canary yellow, with the latter being the most valuable.
After the famous Ednam Lodge Robbery of 1946, it is possible that the Duke used his insurance pay out from Lloyds of London to replenish the Duchess’ jewel collection.
Along with the Cartier Panthere’s, Edward went to the famous American jeweller, Harry Winston in New York to seek out two large Yellow diamond clips.
In a letter to the Duchess dated 29th January 1948, Harry Winston wrote:
´…….I am enclosing several designs for the two canary diamonds which I hope will please you….`wrote Harry Winston to the Duchess of Windsor on 29th January, 1948. His letter continued, `… The two stones with approximately 92,95 carats and are priceless! Never before in my experience have I seen a pair of pearshaped canary diamonds so wonderfully matched – both because of their exquisite brilliancy and lustre and their unusually large size. It is due only to existing conditions in the world today that we were able to puchase diamonds such as these from old estates of royalty. In fact, they are so magnificent, that were it not you – I am offering them to – I should keep them here as showpieces with my other jewels……´
Harry Winston would go on to set the stones in a claw setting within a border of gold corded wire scroll motifs, set at intervals with brilliant-cut white diamonds.
To compliment her yellow diamond clips, Wallis took a number of lose stones to Cartier in 1968 and commissioned a pair of matching earrings. Like her Rubies and Emeralds, these stone from her Yellow diamond earrings are thought to have come from the avalanche of bejewelled gifts Edward received from the Maharajahs during his trip to India in 1921.
After World War II, Wallis and Edward emerged as the de facto leaders of Café Society. Their prominent status meant they frequently graced glamorous gatherings and social events. In 1971, famous British photographer Cecil Beaton photographed the Duchess, wearing all her yellow diamonds at the infamous Proust Ball hosted by the Rothschilds in Paris.
Like her many other bejewelled possessions, the Windsor Yellows was sold at auction at Sotheby’s after her death in 1987. The proceeds from the sale were donated to Pasteur Institute in Paris.
Jeweller Laurence Graff bought the Windsor Yelllows along with Wallis’ Engagement Ring . The Earrings were recut and sold to the Lebanese Prime Minister. The Clips were reset into a monumental necklace called “Les Jonquelles” that featured 333.61cts of Yellow Diamonds.
