[radio stations tuning]
[woman] Some people called it the greatest love story of the 20th century.
The king who gave up his throne for the woman he loved.
Wallis Simpson, as she was known,
was not distinguished by great beauty, money or class.
- [telephone rings] - But 40 years later she would
spark a constitutional crisis,
when the King of England, Edward VIII, decided to abdicate,
in order to marry this twice-divorced American woman.
Exiled and stripped of a kingdom,
they become the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
[telephone continues ringing]
Their romantic legend lives on today.
[stations tuning]
[answering machine clicks on]
[man] Hey, Wally, it's me. l'm still in DC.
l'm not gonna make it back tonight.
l haven't even made my speech yet.
Gotta run. l'll see you tomorrow.
Love you.
[woman on radio] Wallis had been married twice,
before her romance with the Prince.
Her first husband, Navy Lieutenant Earl Winfield Spencer,
swept Wallis off to the exotic world of Shanghai in 1 924.
The marriage ended in divorce three years later.
[man] Wallis?!
Wallis?! Where the fuck are you?
l'm in the bath!
[man] Where's my dinner? l'm hungry!
[cries out]
[grunts]
Don't you tell me to wait!
l want my food now.
l waited six hours for you.
[groaning]
- Win, not the baby! - [grunts]
[groans, sobs]
l'm hungry.
[continues sobbing]
[woman] This is a very unusual situation, Wally.
[Wally] Well, what are my options?
[woman] You're only 28.
One of your options would be to relax and keep trying.
[Wally] We've been married six years.
We've never used birth control.
l'd like to start lVF.
[woman] What about your husband? Would he be willing to come in?
- There could be something... - No. He wouldn't.
He says he got his girlfriend pregnant in college.
[woman] Still, lVF is a very aggressive approach for a woman of your age.
Perhaps l could refer you to a nutritionist?
Or maybe you and your husband could go away on a vacation?
My husband doesn't take vacations.
[tapping on wine glass]
[woman 2] Excuse me, everyone, l would like to make a toast.
l know you heard it earlier at the awards ceremony,
but l would like to personally thank you, William,
for all of your hard work on behalf of terminally ill children
and for your tireless effort and support for our foundation.
You could easily make a fortune as a shrink,
treating the problems of the rich and shameless.
[woman 3] What's wrong with the rich and shameless?!
[woman 2] Absolutely nothing, Daphne, as long as you keep writing the checks.
To our very own Prince of Wales, Dr. William Winthrop.
[all] To William!
Your husband, what can l say? Generous, smart, and PS, gorgeous!
Lucky you.
Wally.
- Wally. - Arabella.
How are you?
- You must be so proud of William. - lt's such an honor.
What's it going to take to get you two down to the Hamptons this summer?
Edgar's starting to think you don't like us!
That's not true. l just wish l could get William to go away for the weekend.
He never wants to leave his patients.
Well, that's why he wins the awards.
- You are such a lucky girl. - Thank you. l'll see you inside.
[woman on TV] Her name was Bessie Wallis Warfield.
She was born into a poor, southern family on June 1 9th, 1 896.
Forty years later, the King of England,
the handsome and dashing Edward Vlll,
fell in love and decided to marry this American woman.
Tomorrow, Sotheby's begins previewing their impressive estate.
An estate now owned by Mohammed Al Fayed,
the colorful and controversial owner of Harrods in London.
Sotheby's says they will be auctioning off more than 44,000 pieces of history.
Objects which tell a tale of luxury and romance.
[faint sirens]
Who's the blonde?
What blonde?
The one you were talking to all night?
[William] l talked to a lot of people tonight.
Everyone but me.
ls that your new girlfriend?
You're my new girlfriend.
Very funny.
[siren blares]
[men shouting faintly]
[shouting]
[quiet chattering]
[woman] Well, if it isn't Sotheby's number one research hotshot.
- Tenten! - Oh, my God.
- l miss having you around! - l miss being here.
Oh, please! What do you miss about being overworked and underpaid?
- Everything. - You look great!
Miss Brooks needs help with the luggage vignette.
Don't you dare leave without filling me in.
l want to hear everything, married lady.
All right.
- [Wallis] Marie? - [maid speaks French]
[speaking French]
Oui, madame.
[Marie] Oui, madame.
[wine glasses clink]
- l'm sorry. l didn't... - No.
lt's no problem. We have plenty of 1 8th century crystal in the back.
l believe it's 1 9th century.
[man clears throat]
[ticking]
[Wally] l went to the fertility doctor today.
[William] Does she know what's wrong with you?
[Wally] Yeah, l need to relax.
l want to go through with lVF.
[heartbeats]
[William] lVF?
You can't make these decisions without consulting me.
[Wally] You're never around.
[William] Jesus Christ...
[Wally] We're talking about children, William.
[deep breaths]
[William] No...
You're talking about children.
[up-tempo music]
[William] Oh, come on, they were Nazis. Or at least Nazi sympathizers.
- [Wally] Says who? - [William] Everyone.
lt's common knowledge. Thank you.
They went to Germany in the '30s, met with Hitler.
Because Edward was desperate to avoid a war.
They might have been naive, but doesn't make them... Nazis.
- lt's all documented, Wally. - Well, it's not actually.
- Most of it's based on rumor. - Let's agree to disagree.
l thought doctors relied on empirical evidence, not gossip.
This doctor is off duty tonight.
[Wally] Lucky me.
- [William] Speed limit. - [Wally] Civil War.
- [William] Old news. - [Wally] Bad luck.
Safe sex.
Unconditional love.
- Tongue twister, or spoonerism? - l'll definitely have a tongue twister,
because l don't even know what a spoonerism is.
- You don't know what a spoonerism is? - l don't, l'm afraid, miss.
- l don't believe that. - Try this one.
Round and round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran...
- You make it sound so sexy. - ...in a truly rural way.
- [elevator dings] - Hm?
- Try that. - [pager beeps]
Shit. l've got to go back to the hospital.
- Now? - Yeah.
l'll be back as soon as l can.
Wait up for me, all right?
- OK. - Bye.
[dials telephone]
[ringing]
[woman] Hello, New York Presbyterian.
ls Dr. Winthrop there?
- Uh, no. We haven't seen him tonight. - Are you sure?
- Yes, ma'am. l'm quite sure. - All right. Thank you.
[rain falling]
[thunder rumbles]
[sneezes]
- [man] Bless you. - Thank you. This infernal cold!
Look, we don't have to go to this thing.
Are you out of your mind? l've spent six months ingratiating myself
with Thelma to get us this invitation.
[scoffs] l understand that, Wallis. But you're not feeling well.
[sneezes] That's not the point. l'm not letting Thelma down.
You know how hard she works to make these weekends perfect
for His Royal Highness.
We can't disappoint him.
Disappoint him? He doesn't even know us.
Which is precisely why we're going, Ernest darling.
l swear, you are the most stubborn woman l have ever met.
[Wallis sneezes]
- [Wallis] Excuse us. - [Ernest laughing]
[Wallis] l'm just trying to be polite.
- Thank you, darling. - [honks horn]
[Ernest] Oh, there's one left!
You know what l don't understand? Why Thelma calls the Prince, "David,"
- when his name is really Edward. - His full name:
Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David.
Only his family call him David.
Thelma is not family.
l'm sure she'd like to be.
- [both laughing] - [Wallis sneezes]
[Ernest] Bless you.
Can you believe we're here?
Ooh!
Darling...
...l'm just happy to get away with you somewhere.
Ernest, we have to practice.
- Yes... Yes, OK. - Come here.
- Your Highness. - [kisses hand]
- Left foot. - OK.
- One, two, three. - One, two, three.
- Two, two, three. - Two, two... Ow!
- [Ernest] Sorry. - [Wallis laughs]
l hope you don't mind if l dance with the prince.
Darling...
...l'll be upset if you don't.
[chattering]
[low-tempo music]
- David. - Mm.
Connie, you look lovely.
How are you, darling?
- Connie. - Goodness me.
Hello.
Your Royal Highness.
How do you find living in England, Mrs. Simpson?
l love it.
Except for the lack of central heating. l'm always cold.
Maybe you need someone to keep you warm.
lsn't that what husbands are for?
l don't know, what are husbands for?
[Wallis] You might have to marry someone to find out, sir.
And how do you find marriage, Mrs. Simpson?
Everything's a compromise, isn't it?
Doesn't sound very romantic.
Ah, romance.
That's another matter altogether, Your Highness.
Are all Americans girls such good dancers?
l wouldn't know, sir. l haven't danced with many.
Excuse me, ma'am, we're closing now.
l'm sorry.
l was just daydreaming.
lt's no problem.
We're still closing.
OK.
l miss this place. lt's so good to be sitting at a desk again.
- Please put me to work. - Uh-uh.
l've been here 1 2 hours. l need a distraction.
l told you before. l want to hear everything.
[man] Ladies and gentlemen, the exhibition is now closing.
The exhibition is now closing.
Excuse me, ma'am? Ma'am?
You forgot your umbrella.
Thank you.
l'm Evgeni Kolpakov.
Wally Winthrop.
You were one of Miss Brooks's girls, hm?
They don't talk much to the help.
- Have a good night. - You, too.
- Mm-hm. - Shut up.
[man on lnternet] Wallis had already left the country,
and had arrived in France.
The ex-king went to Austria, to begin his exile.
They spent the next five months apart.
She was with friends on the Riviera.
But he sent her dozens of letters, and telephoned every day.
[man 2] l have never known, in the course of all knowledge,
one person so utterly possessed by another...
...as he was by her.
lt was very remarkable.
lt wasn't domination.
lt was a form of possession.
[Wallis] You know, you're quite pretty.
My endowments were definitely on the scanty side.
Nobody ever called me beautiful, or even pretty.
l think you were.
l mean, you still are very attractive.
Attractive, my dear, is a polite way of saying
a woman's made the most of what she's got.
The only thing l could do was dress better than anyone else.
lf everyone looked at me when l entered a room...
...then l knew my husband would feel proud of me.
Don't you think a woman has more to offer than the way she's dressed?
Of course. But men are such visual creatures, darling.
So it's a good place to start.
The most important thing is your face.
The other end, you just sit on.
[William] Am l interrupting something?
No.
Nothing.
- l was just... - lt doesn't look like nothing to me.
What does it look like to you?
lt looks like you're trying to be someone you're not.
Where were you tonight?
- l was working. - And last night?
- You never even came home. - What is this? An interrogation?
l was working.
- l slept at the hospital. - l called the hospital.
- They said you weren't there. - l was in the emergency room.
l'm not having this conversation again.
l don't have a nine-to-five job, Wally.
You could have called. l tried your cell phone.
lt was off.
l was worried!
You were worried?
[scoffs]
[laughs]
ls that why you got dressed up like a whore?
l don't know, William.
Why don't you tell me?
What does a whore dress like?
[gasps]
[William] l can't compete with the Duke of Windsor.
- [cameras flashing] - [people chattering]
[man narrating] lt was a marvelous reception,
which the King received in South Wales,
on his visit to the long-suffering communities of that depressed area.
[speaking Welsh]
- Hello, sir. - Very nice to meet you.
Evening, sir.
Hi, there. God bless you, sir.
[speaking Welsh]
[Edward] Thank you, sir.
- God bless you, sir. - Sir.
Thank you.
Hello, there.
[speaking Welsh]
Sir, l don't think that's a good idea.
Thank you for having me into your home.
[man narrating] They travelled through the desolate villages
of the Rhondda, Monmouth Valleys.
The whole region was dying for want of work.
Your Highness, what is your impression of South Wales?
My impression...
My impression is that this is a place of decent men and women,
living in indecent conditions!
- And something must be done! - [crowd cheers]
[man] Thank you! Thank you, Your Highness.
[man on radio] "Something must be done."
This natural sentiment was seized on by some,
- and called "political meddling." - [cocktail shaking]
[Wallis] But why the outrage if you're just stating the obvious?
The King is not meant to have an opinion.
You wanna play deaf, dumb and blind?
- Precisely. - Well, where l come from
we say what we think and we mean what we say.
- l like where you come from. - Baltimore?
[chuckles]
- [stammers] Your Royal Highness! - Ernest!
l just made his Royal Highness a martini, would you like one, dear?
That would be lovely, darling.
- [doorbell rings] - That'll be Connie.
- [Ernest] Excuse me. - Thelma called,
she said she might be a little late.
Then you'll just have to keep me entertained.
l make a mean martini.
Let's start there and see how it goes.
- Sorry we're late. - Darling, Connie's here.
- Your Royal Highness. - Connie. Marvelous to see you.
Hello, Wallis, darling.
l hope you don't mind, l brought some thirsty friends!
- The more the merrier! - Lovely to see you. How are you?
Who are you?
[♪ Blind Blake: "Love, Love Alone Duke and Duchess Remix"]
- [man] Shall we? - [Connie] Love the frock.
- [man 2] Hello. - Hello, how are you?
Your Highness.
Let me get you drinks. Stay right there.
l know what you like.
[all chattering]
Your drinks are becoming legendary, Mrs. Simpson.
Well, your Royal Highness, something had to be done
with those awkward hours between tea and dinner.
Ah, Thelma, there you are, darling!
David.
- You're here already? - Yes.
What took you so long?
- Hello. - Hello.
[music continues faintly]
[chatter on security radio]
[woman singing on radio]
[Thelma] l must say Marmaduke's been such a gentlemen about the divorce.
- [Wallis] One lump or two? - One.
lt almost makes me have second thoughts about leaving him.
You know what they say: never jump into the same river twice.
Anyway, after ten minutes with David,
l soon forgot all about that river.
[both chuckle]
He took me to see Tosca last night.
- Divine. - Tosca or His Royal Highness?
Both!
- Thelma, can l ask you something? - Of course.
Do you call him Your Royal Highness?
Well, you know, do you call him Your Royal Highness...?
No.
l only ever call him David.
Or darling.
l do hate the thought of leaving him on his own while l'm in America.
- How long will you be gone? - Three months.
Promise me you'll look after him. David so adores you and Ernest.
No one can fill your shoes, but we'll do our best.
Thank you, Wallis.
You're such a good friend.
[man] Ladies and gentlemen, the exhibition is now closing.
The exhibition is now closing.
Hi.
l can give you another 1 5 minutes while we lock up.
No, thanks, l was just leaving.
OK. Have a good night, Miss Winthrop.
Mrs. Winthrop.
- Mrs. Winthrop. Have a good night. - You, too.
[man] You don't think, ma'am, that women have suffered somewhat
over the last 30 years by being too competitive with men?
They've lost something of their essential character and charm.
- [woman] No, l don't think so really. - [William] Wally?
- l don't think they have at all. - Wally?
- l'll be right out. - ...use their femininity in business.
Both you and the Duke would have liked to have had children?
Yes...
l'm a jerk.
[both breathing heavily]
William?
What is it?
ls it me?
No.
l just wish we could have sex without the constant pressure
- of your need to get pregnant. - l never said anything about that.
No, but it's always there!
l'm sorry.
Maybe l don't want a kid.
Since when?
l don't know.
Do you want to talk about it?
- Not really. - William...
You told me you wanted to have children.
That you didn't want me to work.
- l gave up my career. - lf that's what you want to call it.
Regardless of what you think, it was work to me, and l enjoyed it.
Calm down.
[door slams]
[piano plays soft music]
[plays lively notes]
Are you...
...finished?
Sir, you don't believe all this nonsense about Thelma and the Aly Khan.
She's devoted to you.
Devoted to me, to her husband and now to a camel jockey.
She's extended her stay to America by another month.
Well, then she deserves your pity, not your jealousy.
Jealousy? Who says l'm jealous?
Well, all men are territorial.
l'm not all men.
But you're a man.
l'm a man who needs a drink.
Tell me about your day.
How did your meeting go at the House of Commons?
Disastrous. l was accused of being a socialist.
That's quite a feat. Only last week, you were accused of being a fascist.
Well, they'll say anything to undermine me.
Anyway, l'm sure you don't wish to talk about my work.
Actually, l do. l just finished that book you suggested on social reform.
l think what you're trying to do is incredibly important.
One olive or two?
Two.
There we are.
Everybody deserves a roof over their head.
Now you sound like a socialist.
Well, if the Germans can do it...
...why can't the English?
Wallis, you're the only woman who has ever shown any interest in my work.
Am l... sir?
Please, call me David.
[door closes]
Your Royal Highness...
...what a surprise.
Really? l've been here every night this week.
Will you be staying for dinner, sir?
lf you'll have me.
lf you don't mind having chicken.
- Again? - Again.
- Would you like a drink, dear? - Yes. Yes, please.
- Oh, Mrs. Winthrop, hello. - Hi.
Whoa. [nervous laugh]
Sorry, you can't come in here.
- Why not? - VlP entrance.
You have a pass?
Where do l get one of those?
lt's very complicated.
You have identification?
[Tenten] Wally!
How's that for identification?
Miss Brooks has sent her KGB officer.
[Tenten] So l see someone has an admirer.
What's his story?
Russian intellectual, slumming as a security guard.
Dime a dozen.
[up-tempo jazz playing]
- [Ernest] l'm dreading tonight. - [Wallis] Why?
Lady Cunard can be so tiresome. She dislikes everybody.
That's not the point. lt's Thelma's coming home party.
And Thelma's a dear friend. We have to go.
l suppose you'll be seated next to Peter Pan.
- Don't call him that. - Why not?
A man can be envious of a fellow who doesn't have to grow up.
lt seems like an unfair advantage.
- What are you going on about? - l hope you don't ignore me all night.
Ernest, darling.
How could l ignore you, when you look so dashing in your tuxedo?
Not as dashing as the prince.
Now you're just being silly.
- Run along and let me get ready. - OK.
Go on.
[Ernest] See you in a few minutes.
[no audio]
[all chattering]
How's your meat cooked? A bit dry?
Here's an idea, we could do the red and then the green in the same room.
David?
Maybe we could come up the fort next weekend...
- [glass clinking] - ...or the weekend after?
l'd like to make a toast to my dear friend Thelma,
who's been gone far, far too long!
London's been dreary without you, darling. Welcome home.
- Thank you. - To Thelma!
- [all] To Thelma! - Welcome home.
David, you'll never guess where l visited in Manhattan.
- Where? - The Empire State Building.
l went all the way to the very top, 1 02 floors. Can you imagine?
The view was breathtaking!
Sounds dangerous.
[woman] You couldn't pay me enough to go to the top of that building.
Nobody one could pay you enough, Emerald.
You are married to the wealthiest man in England.
l thought l was the wealthiest man in England.
My God, David, look what you've done.
[chatter stops abruptly]
You've torn my dress.
l'm so sorry.
Well...
...it is Schiaparelli.
[door opens, closes]
[Emerald] More wine, anyone?
[chatter resumes]
[Evgeni] l see potential danger in the jewelry department.
Yep. l'm sure you do.
Just doing my job, Dwayne.
Yep. l'm sure you are.
You've been extremely decent about all this, old chap.
How can l be anything but?
l love her.
l will always love her.
All I can ask is that you do the same.
You have my word.
Your Majesty.
l think this belongs to you.
[gasps] Oh.
[Wallis] Are you trying to seduce me?
[Edward] ls it working?
[all singing] ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ And so say all of us
- [party horn blows] - ♪ And so say all of us
♪ And so say all of us
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ And so say all of us ♪
Open it.
lt's not my birthday.
Oh, it's like Fort Knox.
[gasps]
"All for love and the world well lost. Happy Birthday. W.E."
Thank you, David.
Who's "WE?"
Wallis and Edward, silly.
That's so sweet.
[laughter]
Your tea, madam.
[Wallis] Your Majesty!
You certainly know the way to a woman's heart.
l wasn't aiming that high.
[people clamoring]
- Are you all right? - Your Majesty,
- how long do you stay in ltaly? - We may stay some time.
Wallis, darling. Turn around. Try to enjoy it.
David, are you sure these photos won't run in England?
Don't worry, darling, Fleet Street and l have an understanding.
Don't we, Slipper?
- l hope you're right. - Well, Slipper's never wrong.
Your Majesty, his popularity is not in question.
lt seems the worse he behaves the more he is loved.
lt's a pretty kettle of fish we're in.
Fleet Street is all over me about this.
Even the American press is starting to wag its tail.
Sign of the times, isn't it, Prime Minister?
What are you suggesting?
l'm not suggesting anything, Your Majesty.
He seems to have made his bed, hasn't he?
[up-tempo music]
[man singing in ltalian]
[newspaperman shouts indistinctly]
Get a life.
Are you OK?
l'm fine.
l don't know what's wrong with me.
l don't know what's wrong with you either.
Look, l'm due for a break. Why don't we go get a cup of coffee?
OK? Come on.
[Evgeni] So what is your thing with them?
- [Wally] My thing? - The Duke and the Duchess.
- lt's a long story. - Can you make it a short one?
Little girls love fairy tales?
- OK. - The happily-ever-after kind.
How do you know they lived happily ever after?
- Don't rain on my parade. - Excuse me?
lt's an expression.
Yes, l know.
So tell me about your family.
- Like what? - How's your mother?
My mother?
She named me after Wallis Simpson.
She and my grandmother were obsessed with her.
l guess they wanted me to marry a prince.
And did you?
That's the long story.
- What about you? - What about me?
- Where are you from? - Vermont.
Very funny.
Refugee camp in Vermont.
ln Vermont?
Vermont is full of surprises.
l like your watch.
Thank you.
- [Wallis] lt looks old. - lt is. A gift.
From?
My wife.
- You're married? - Was.
l'm raining on your parade again?
- [chuckling] No. - You remind me of her.
ls that a good thing?
lt's not a bad thing.
[cell phone rings]
- Hello? - [William] Hey, it's me.
- Hi, William. - l'm not going to get home tonight.
This thing is running late, and l'm behind at work.
l've got some papers to write. Are you all right?
- You started dinner? - [hangs up phone]
[panting]
[sobs]
[William] ls that why you're dressed up like a whore?
[screaming]
[breathing heavily]
[man] Wallis sent us a letter
inviting us to Fort Belvedere, first week in September.
Yes, it should be great fun!
We're used to getting our invitations from you, David.
Oh, l'm happy to let Wallis write my letters.
She's much better at it than l am.
How lucky you are.
How much longer will you be staying in the... [stammers]
- South of France. - [Edward] Until September.
So sorry for the delay. Lunch will be ready any minute.
Edward was just telling us how indispensable you've become to him.
And where is your husband these days, Mrs. Simpson?
He's working.
ln London.
- [tires screeching] - [crashing sound]
Wallis...
- ...you all right? - Why do you ask?
- You left in such a hurry after lunch. - Did l? l'm sorry.
Wallis. What's wrong?
Lunch with your brother and sister-in-law.
- They are rather dull, aren't they? - They'll never accept me.
You're gonna let Bertie and Elizabeth dictate our future?
lt isn't just Bertie and Elizabeth. lt's everyone.
lt won't be once we're married.
David, let's stop all this talk about marriage. lt frightens me.
And l can't see any good coming of it.
Why?
Your family will never stand for it. The prime minister won't stand for it!
Then l'll give up the throne!
And l will be the most despised woman in the world.
Why do you belittle yourself? They would be lucky to have you as their queen.
You're delusional!
lf l had any sense at all l would just disappear.
Don't you understand? You can do whatever you like,
go wherever you want, but whatever you do... l'll follow you.
[dog barking]
[man] Quiet, Chester!
Apparently, she invited a string of Americans to stay with them in Cannes.
How common.
[Elizabeth] Well, you know how fond David is of Americans.
l'm sure the rumors aren't entirely true, Your Majesty.
[man] Which rumors?
That he's... well, rather serious about her.
What do you mean "serious?" She's a married woman!
[man] David has always had the most atrocious judgment.
l pray to God he never marries her or has children.
Nothing comes between Bertie and Lilibeth and the throne!
Your Majesty, David has always been destined for greatness.
And in any case, l'm sure it will never come to that.
- [dog barks] - [man shouts]
Have you seen Father already?
- No. - But we're meant to have dinner.
- l'm not staying. - You promised.
[stammers] Please don't leave me on my own with Father.
- l'm sorry, Bertie. - David!
What shall l tell him?
[sighs]
l don't know. Tell him...
Tell him l've lost my appetite.
Wally! Hi.
- Evgeni. - l was looking for you.
Um... [clears throat]
l have something that l want to show you.
l think you'll be very interested in it.
But you have to go to the preview area after we close and wait for me there.
Are you in a rush?
- No, l'm not. - No?
OK.
Ten minutes.
[Dwayne] You can't you take her to a bar like a normal person?
[Evgeni] Don't worry. She practically works here.
That's good. 'Cause if anyone finds out, we won't be.
Relax, baby.
l've got everything under control.
Shh.
Are you ready?
- [cork pops] - Ooh!
A toast.
[speaks Russian]
What does that mean?
- To love and... - Other disasters?
...to the time to enjoy her.
Cheers.
Please.
Oh, my God.
[plays quiet melody]
One more thing.
[Wally] Evgeni?
- What are you doing?! - What does it look like l'm doing?
What? You don't want to try it on?
l don't want you to lose your job!
Why? Are you going to run off with it?
- Evgeni, no. - Come on.
Relax. lt's a fake.
[man reporting] King George lll has died, and the nation mourns.
As the popular Prince Edward ascends the throne
the public are startled by news of a romance
that threatens the very monarchy itself.
The newly crowned King intends to marry a commoner.
An American, Mrs. Wallace Simpson,
and his decision has sparked a constitutional crisis.
What are you thinking about?
The strong-minded King is at odds with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin
who demands that the marriage must not take place,
on pain of abdication.
What it must feel like to be loved that much.
And what is your definition of love?
He gave up everything for her.
[Wallis] Why do people only focus on what he gave up?
- That's true. - What's true?
What about what l gave up?
[Wally] She gave up a lot, too.
My privacy. My freedom.
My reputation.
- l don't know how she did it. - Did what?
l never looked to the past.
l always wanted to embrace the new things that life had to offer.
The whole world turned against her, but she never backed down.
Darling, they can't hurt you...
...unless you let them.
l should go home.
- lt's getting late. - OK.
Can l walk you home?
lf you put your pants on.
Right.
You play beautifully.
You see, we're not all gangsters.
No, you're not.
Thank you.
lt was my pleasure.
See you soon.
You don't want me to walk you all the way?
lt's OK. l live just here.
Thanks.
[Wally] William?
William?
You here?
[Wallis echoing] Darling, they can't hurt you...
...unless you let them.
[quiet chattering]
[auctioneer] Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Auction.
And now lot number one, lot number one,
the gilded hand irons, and l have two thousand dollars,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten thousand!
Twelve thousand, fourteen thousand, sixteen, eighteen,
twenty thousand dollars now.
Twenty-one, 22, 23, 24,000.
Twenty-five thousand, 26... At 27,500.
At $50,000.
- Hi. - Hi.
l saved you a seat.
Thanks, but l'm just gonna stand back here.
- Coward. - Seventy-five thousand dollars.
Fair warning. Sold!
Next up. Lot 1 05. The Cartier sterling silver pillbox.
Three thousand the start, three thousand's bid.
Four, five, six, seven thousand. Ten paddles at eight, nine, ten.
Eleven, twelve thousand. Fifteen, sixteen thousand...
Seventeen, nineteen, twenty-one, twenty-two...
[snoring]
What is that?
Benzedrine.
lt's time to wake these people up.
Well...
Go on.
All right.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
[lively chattering]
Dance for us, Wallis!
Come on. Come on, do that dance l love.
- No. - Come on, do it.
[♪ Sex Pistols: "Pretty Vacant"]
[auctioneer, indistinct]
Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen thousand...
Twenty thousand, right and center. Twenty-one, twenty-two,
twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five.
Thirty thousand dollars, right up front.
Are we all through?
Thirty-two thousand, five hundred!
Up here on the left. Congratulations.
[auctioneer] Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the auction for today.
- So... are you or aren't you? - Huh?
- Going to bid on something? - Oh, God no.
Why?
Too nerve-wracking.
Plus my husband would hate me wasting money on something so trivial.
But... it's not trivial to you.
He wouldn't see it that way.
He's a shrink. He'd find some way to use it against me.
Mmm.
- Shall l walk you home? - lt's OK. l'll take a cab.
OK.
[Wallis] l still don't understand why l have to go to this dinner with you.
[Edward] Sooner or later my prime minister must meet my future wife.
- Your future wife's still married. - A technicality.
Ernest isn't a technicality. He's still my husband.
He's been nothing but decent through all of this.
Quite right. But he's agreed to it, hasn't he?
And now it is just a matter of time.
You do realize l'll have to go to Suffolk to file.
And then l'll have to live on a bloody cow farm for six months.
Promise me you won't come and visit.
[Edward] l'm not promising anything of the sort.
[Wallis] You have to. l want a clean divorce.
l can't be associated with you or any man.
- l'm not any man, l'm the king. - Well, Your Majesty,
that's the law in your country.
[Edward] Then that's one more thing l'm going to have to change.
You don't have to change everything.
Some things are better left alone.
But you're not one of those things.
l don't know what to say.
- [reporters shouting] - [Edward] Don't say anything.
lt might be held against you.
How's your husband, Mrs. Simpson?
Get on back to where you came from!
Yankee harlot!
- Hiya. - Hey, Wally.
- You're bidding? - l am.
We miss you around here.
Good luck.
[auctioneer] Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen thousand.
Seventeen thousand. Eighteen. Nineteen thousand left.
At twenty thousand, twenty-one thousand. Twenty-two thousand.
Twenty-three thousand, twenty-four thousand.
Twenty-five thousand, far, far left. Twenty-five thousand.
At twenty-six thousand dollars now, back center.
Twenty-six thousand dollars. Fair warning.
Sold! For twenty-six thousand dollars.
Next lot. Number 243. A collection of gloves, kid gloves, just kidding.
- [audience laughs] - Worn by the duchess.
Estimate is a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars.
And do l have a hundred? One, two, three, four, five, six,
paddles everywhere. Seven, eight, nine, a thousand dollars.
Eleven, twelve, fourteen hundred,
Sixteen. Eighteen. Two thousand dollars.
Now it's two thousand dollars. Three thousand dollars now.
Thirty-five hundred. Four thousand. Forty-five hundred.
Five thousand dollars.
Be they ever so humbled.
Fifty-five hundred.
Six thousand.
Sixty-five hundred's on the phone.
Seven thousand. On my left, in the room.
Seven thousand dollars.
Seventy-five hundred on the telephone.
- [mouthing] You're crazy. - [auctioneer] Thank you.
Eight thousand dollars in the room.
Eight thousand dollars now.
lt's eighty-five hundred on the phone.
Sorry.
Nine thousand dollars in the room!
At nine thousand dollars now. Bidding at nine.
Such gloves.
Ninety-five hundred now, back on the phone.
- Hate that telephone, right. - [audience laughs]
Fair warning. Ninety-five hundred.
Ten thousand dollars! Back in the room.
Ten thousand dollars!
Ten thousand dollars... The phone says "no".
Ten thousand in the room, and sold, on my left!
Ten thousand dollars.
Shit.
[man's voice, faint] Mrs. Winthrop.
Mrs. Winthrop.
[voice clearer] Mrs. Winthrop.
- Your husband was looking for you. - Thank you, Victor.
- [door closes] - [William] Home at last.
Why were you in the dark?
lnteresting day?
You're drunk.
OK, let's start again.
- lnteresting day? - Not especially.
- Well, l had an interesting day. - Don't you always?
l don't always get a phone call from the bank.
About what?
You spent over $1 1 ,000 at Sotheby's.
l'll pay for it out of my own account.
Your own account? lt's all my money!
You're the one who won't let me work!
That's not the point.
When you're spending my money, you ask.
You mean the way l have to ask if you're coming home every night?
Or the way l have to make an appointment to speak to you?
- This is not about me! - To spend time with you?
Or the way l have to ask you for sex?
Why don't you want to have sex with me?
- William? - Please, Wally!
Don't do this to me right now.
lf you're having an affair...
- ...just tell me. - Get off!
William...
l want to know, where do you go every night?
Tell me.
Answer me.
Answer me!
- [grunts] Answer me! - Stop it.
That's right...
You go make yourself another drink.
Maybe that'll help you get it up.
- You... - [breathing heavily]
You have no respect!
What did you spend all my money on?
l fucking feed you,
l clothe you,
and what the fuck do you do for me?
You couldn't even give me a kid if l wanted one, you stupid fucking cunt!
- [grunts] - [cries out]
[screams]
- [shouts] - [both grunting]
[sobbing]
- [grunts] - [screams]
[telephone rings]
[Edward] Hello?
Hello, Wallis? Are you there?
[Wallis sobbing] Yes, l'm here.
[Edward] l need you, Wallis.
[Wallis] Your country needs you.
[Edward] l'm no good to my country without you.
[Wallis] You and l can only create disaster together.
Please, David!
- Please let me go! - You don't understand.
lt's all over.
The instrument of abdication...
...is already prepared.
The what?
The only condition under which l can remain in England...
...is if l renounce you for all time.
And l will never agree to that.
Wallis? Are you there?
[Wallis] "Dear David, this is a difficult letter to write.
l must really return to Ernest.
I feel secure with him,
and l'm only left with my side of the show to run.
True, we're unable to do the attractive, amusing things in life,
which I must confess, l do love and enjoy,
but weighed against a calm, congenial life, l'd choose the latter.
For l know, that though l shall suffer greatly now,
l shall be a happier, calmer old lady.
I'm sure, dear David, that in a few months
your life will run again as it did before.
l shall always read about you.
And you will know, l want you to be happy.
l feel sure l can't make you so.
[thunder rumbles]
And I honestly don't think you can me."
Ladies and gentlemen, sadly and wonderfully, the final lot.
- Lot 432, the abdication desk. - [applause]
The desk where King Edward delivered his final speech as King of England.
But before the bidding begins,
we'd like to show the actual newsreel of this most historic event.
[man on TV] ln Windsor Castle, the greatest drama of our time
approaches its world-stirring climax.
London is tense with excitement.
Crowds gather at 1 0 Downing Street.
Prime Minister Baldwin leaves for Parliament.
ln his pocket is the document signed by the king, announcing his renunciation
to his 500 million subjects throughout the world.
From the House of Commons comes the word that shocks the empire.
King and Emperor Edward Vlll prepares to publically renounce his throne
for the woman he loves.
Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our programs at this time
to present a most momentous address,
by Mr. David Windsor, former King Edward Vlll of England.
[man 2] This is Windsor Castle.
His Royal Highness, Prince Edward.
[indistinct voices on radio]
[Edward on radio] At long last,
l'm able to say a few words of my own.
l've never wanted to withhold anything.
But until now, it has not been
constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago,
l discharged my last duty as King and Emperor.
And now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York,
my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him.
This l do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne.
But l want you to understand that in making up my mind
l did not forget the country or the empire,
which, as Prince of Wales,
and lately as King, l have, for 25 years, tried to serve.
But you must believe me when l tell you
that l have found it impossible
to carry the heavy burden of responsibility
and to discharge my duties as king
without the help and support of the woman l love.
This decision has been made less difficult to me
by the sure knowledge that my brother,
with his long training in the public affairs of this country...
...will be able to take my place without interruption
or injury to the life and progress of the empire.
And he has one matchless blessing,
enjoyed by so many of you,
and not bestowed on me...
...a happy home with his wife and children.
Ever since l was Prince of Wales,
and later on, when l occupied the throne,
l have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people
wherever l have lived or journeyed throughout the empire.
[indistinct voices]
For that l am very grateful.
[indistinct chanting]
l now quit altogether public affairs...
...and l lay down my burden.
And now, we all have a new king.
l wish him and you, his people,
happiness and prosperity with all my heart.
God bless you all.
God save the king.
[chanting] Long live the king!
Long live the king!
God save the king.
[auctioneer] Two hundred and twenty-five thousand. You are a splendid audience.
Four hundred thousand dollars!
Four hundred thousand.
Four twenty-five!
At four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in the center.
Any more at four twenty-five?
ln the center.
[dialing cell phone]
[ringing]
You've reached Wally. Please leave a message.
Excuse me, Tenten.
Sorry, have you seen Wally today?
No.
Have you spoken to her? Do you know if she's going to be coming in?
Maybe she's got something better to do?
No, there's no way she'd miss the last day of the auction.
[Evgeni] Uh, is Mrs. Winthrop in?
- Who may l say is calling? - Evgeni Kolpakov.
From Sotheby's.
[glass crunching]
Hello?
Wally?
- What happened? - [shuddering]
Who did this to you?
lt's OK. l'm here.
You're OK? Shh. lt's OK.
[reporters clamoring]
[man reporting] From the House of Commons comes the word
that shocks the empire.
The king is going into exile.
For God's sake!
Quick, quick! On the floor! On the floor!
[clamoring]
Come inside, Wallis. You poor thing.
Welcome.
l'm going to put your things in the bedroom, OK?
l'll sleep out on the sofa.
Bathroom is right in here.
OK? So...
What happened to your wife?
She died.
Three years ago.
Will you play something for me?
Yeah.
[plays low-tempo music]
Here are the keys.
Feel free to snoop around.
See you tonight?
[clock chiming]
[people chattering]
[man singing]
[Wallis] Pain under the ribs.
Under the heart.
The struggle between it and the brain, to gain the upper hand.
The brain trying continuously to rationalize.
To mend.
To save the situation.
The pain clawing
and tearing like a bird of prey.
[thunder rumbles]
Where'd you learn to play like that?
My grandfather taught me.
He had great expectations.
You know what they say.
What do they say?
Expectations lead to disappointment.
[both grunt]
[Wallis] Darling...
...l know this can't come as a complete shock.
God knows it was never planned or wished for.
Our marriage has become untenable.
lt's unfair of me to continue to string you along...
...especially now that the king has made his intentions clear.
You know l adore you.
And I hope you will find it in your heart...
...to forgive me.
[whispering] Tonight...
...l love the whole pathetic, glorious, ridiculous world.
And you, my darling, most of all and more than ever.
OK, this place is fantastic.
- What's it called? - Zablozki's.
- lt's Russian? - Of course. What else.
- Me break? - You break.
You didn't leave me anything. What am l meant to hit?
- The ball. - From here?
A little softer.
Oh!
[telephone rings]
Good morning, Black Box Gallery, can l help you?
- [man] ls Thierry there? - Tomorrow. l can take a message.
- No, I'll call back. - OK. Bye.
- [dials telephone] - [ringing]
- [Tenten] Hello? - Tenten. lt's Wally.
- Wally! - Did you see the piece in the news
- about the letters? - Yeah, why?
Do you know Mohammed Al Fayed well enough to arrange a meeting for me?
- Why do you want to meet with him? - l have to read those letters.
- OK... - l know it sounds crazy.
- What are you thinking? - l'll say l'm a writer,
- that l'm writing a book. - OK. Let me see what l can do.
OK. Thanks, Tenten.
l've decided to go to Paris.
[Evgeni] Sounds romantic.
[Wally] Tenten arranged a meeting for me, with Mohammed Al Fayed.
- [Evgeni] Mohammed Al Fayed? - Apparently he has hundreds of letters,
that he decided not to sell.
[Evgeni] Why do you need to read them?
l need to find something out.
[Wally] Thank you.
[woman speaking French]
Did the duke and duchess really stay in this suite?
Madame, why else would we call it
"The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite?"
Right.
Please show Madame the Duke and Duchess's Suite.
- l shall wait outside, madam. - Merci.
[Edward] Hello, operator.
l'd like to place a call to Buckingham Palace, London.
It's the Duke of Windsor, calling from Paris.
Yes, it's urgent!
l know how busy he is. Please remind him before he was king he was my brother.
Right. You keep placing the blame on Downing Street.
Downing Street places it on the Palace. ln the meantime,
the duchess and l are no closer to coming home to England.
Your Majesty, His Royal Highness,
the Duke of Windsor is calling from Paris.
- He says it's urgent. - The king is otherwise engaged.
You know what he's calling about
and you'll give in if you speak to him.
- He's my brother. - The last thing you need
is your brother, the Nazi,
dashing around England with that trollop of a wife.
He didn't know. Nobody knew!
They dined together. That is enough for me.
[stammers] Churchill dined with Stalin!
My brother is not a Nazi. You're not being...
We're struggling to maintain an empire.
And you're doing so well.
- Tell him l'm busy. - [man] Yes, Your Majesty.
What a degradation.
Being kept out of England by my own brother.
Don't they understand l just want to serve my country?
They don't want a folk legend waltzing back into the country,
and stealing Bertie's thunder.
- l'm not a folk legend! - l warned you this would happen.
l wasn't even allowed to fight in the Great War for God's sake.
l had to stand and watch while brave men died.
How can they deny me this, after everything l've given up?
You wouldn't listen. l warned you they would never accept me as your wife,
with or without a title.
We've got nowhere to go. What kind of life do you think we're going to have,
wandering around as the world's most celebrated parasites!
[sobbing]
At least you have each other.
This isn't some kind of fairy tale. Wake up!
[gasps]
[vomits]
Madame Montague?
Monsieur Al Fayed is expecting you. Please come with me.
[Wally] l read that you kept a collection of letters
from the duke and the duchess.
Yes. Hundreds. And in amazing condition.
Why didn't you put those up for auction?
[clears throat]
Miss Montague...
...when you buy an inkpot or a dress you cannot add to it an opinion.
But when someone reads a letter,
especially an intimate one,
this is open to interpretation.
Would it be possible for me to look at them?
l don't generally show them to anyone.
Mr. Al Fayed, l completely understand and respect everything you've said.
lt's just l think it's important
to tell the story from her point of view.
From the point of view of the foreigner...
...who fell in love with a royal.
People seem to only focus on what he gave up for her.
But what about what she gave up?
They never consider that.
[exhales]
Let me think about it.
How much longer will you be staying in Paris?
As long as it takes for you to say yes.
lt was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Montague.
You too, Mohammed.
- [Wally] Hi. - [woman] There is a message for you,
- from the office of Monsieur Al Fayed. - Merci.
Monsieur Al Fayed apologized that he can't be here.
The letters are in that box on the table.
Thank you.
[man] l will leave you alone.
[door closes]
[Wallis] "Dearest Aunt B... We arrived Thursday and once again, it's raining.
lt's so dull for the women as there's no form of excitement here.
Darling, l'm so sorry for not having written for a month,
but l can't begin to tell you what my life has been.
The Duke remains despondent by the behavior of his family.
The constant whisperings that we supported Hitler
and his diabolical behavior are preposterous.
The rumors hang over us like a black cloud.
ln spite of my efforts to cheer him up, he's often inconsolable.
Sometimes it seems l have no one but you to lighten my burden.
Aunt Bessie, I feel ashamed to admit l feel suffocated
by his constant attention.
Like a child, he continues to bemoan his lack of usefulness.
Yet, how can l change that which l caused?
He used me to escape his prison only to incarcerate me in my own.
The US press has practically ruined two people's lives,
however, they go on, hounding away.
lt does get one's morale down. But l'm so tired of it all.
Even my heart has been acting up
and l've been put to bed for a week's complete rest.
- No calls, no callers. - [reporters clamoring]
Everything everywhere seems to get worse and worse,
and you can't help but be depressed by it all.
We have nothing but a series of unpleasant business.
l cried myself to sleep last night.
No talks to a boy.
And today, all the lines are down in Cannes.
l really can't continue to carry on
with all of England taking cracks at me
and no decent society speaking to me.
What have l done to deserve this treatment?
l've never had a word said in my defense or a kind word in the press.
Oh, Aunt Bessie, l feel l've disappointed him.
Though he'd never let on.
l know how badly the duke wanted children."
[Wallis echoing] Win, not the baby!
"l'm sorry to bother you, my darling, but l feel like an animal in a trap
and there's two buzzards working me over.
By the way, you're losing your popularity through me.
Together, l suppose, we're strong enough to face this mean world.
But separated, l feel... and scared for you, your safety.
Hold me tight, please, David.
[whispering] lt is not an enemy who has done this thing.
But mine own familiar friend.
[echoing] ...familiar friend.
[both] You have no idea how hard it is
to live out the greatest romance of the century.
And now, l will have to be with him always.
And now l'll... have to be with him always.
And always and always."
What shall we do tonight?
Shall l read to you?
Would you like me to rub your feet?
l want you to dance.
Dance for me, Wallis.
[starts record]
[♪ Chubby Checker: "The Twist"]
[footsteps approaching]
Wally, hi.
l've got some good news for you.
- [birds chirping] - [people chattering]
[Wallis] Well...
...l suppose this is goodbye.
l suppose it is.
l think these belong to you.
l often find myself wondering
if there was some sort of plan that controlled my life.
My Aunt Bessie insists that l've always had one germinating
in the back of my mind for everything l've done.
Do you believe we can change our destiny?
Why... l think you know the answer to that.
[cell phone rings]
- Hello? - [Evgeni] Hey, Wally.
- How was Paris? - l was just about to call.
l missed you.
l've got something to tell you.
Are you OK?
Yeah.
[♪ Madonna: "Masterpiece"]