The story of Wallis Simpson’s collection doesn’t end well because, according to historians, the king wanted all the jewels taken from their settings after Wallis’s death so no other woman could wear them. The jewellery worn by the British Duchess Wallis Simpson, the American woman who became Duchess after King Edward VIII gave up his throne for her, fits the second category of royal jewels. Wallis Simpson’s collection of jewellery is legendary, as it contains many elegant pieces by famous jewellers such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels that her husband, King Edward VIII, gave her.
If there were a fashion editorial symbol associated with Wallis Simpson’s jewellery collection, then Cartier’s panther would fit the criteria perfectly. This well-known bracelet features an articulated panther made of diamonds and onyx, with beautiful emerald eyes. The bracelet’s creator was the legendary Jeanne Toussaint, a gifted designer enthralled by her passion for the animal as a motif, which was crafted into some of Cartier’s most iconic jewellery items. Edward VIII gave it to Simpson, and it became one of the duchess’s most recognisable pieces in the world. (Image Credits: Pinterest)
Edward VIII chose a beautiful emerald for his engagement ring for Wallis in 1936. Cartier had purchased the emerald and split it into two, one part was used for Wallis’s ring and weighed around 19.77 carats. Later on, the diamond became one of the main lots sold at the Sotheby’s auction in 1987 for millions of dollars. During the 1987 auction, the necklace fetched about $2.4 million, a sum that underlines the huge interest collectors have in gemstones and the stories associated with them. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Edward VIII had already begun to turn jewellery into a unique personal language before Wallis came onto the scene as the Duchess of Windsor. One of those jewels created was a stunning diamond brooch in the form of three feathers, which Edward designed for Wallis prior to their marriage in 1935.
The quote “WE belong to us now” was engraved on the ring along with the date of Wallis’s divorce and Edward’s engagement proposal. So, to call this piece simply an “engagement ring” feels a bit ridiculous based on the royal drama associated with it. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Edward VIII was known for his fondness for sentimental jewels, and the ruby-and-diamond necklace given to Wallis on her 40th birthday is just another example of his deep passion for delicate adornments. This ring is not just an engagement ring but a part of abdication history worn on a finger. The necklace was gifted at a time before their marriage, but their engagement was already controversial from a political point of view. As the Prince of Wales, he had a hand in designing many jewellery pieces for Wallis while collaborating with jewellery houses. (Image Credits: Pinterest) Wallis’s jewellery was not just about large necklaces and elaborate brooches, but some of the pieces were intimate to them. She was also associated with the famous Cartier piece known as the Love Bangle, part of the extensive collection that highlighted the Windsors’ fascination with Cartier and the idea of bespoke jewellery. Contemporary sources emphasise the love bangle once more among the well-known King and Queen of Hearts brooches. (Image Credits: Pinterest)
