6 March 2026 (past event)
- 14:00 to 15:00
Talk
Wallis and Edward: the greatest love story of the 20th century
How did Wallis Simpson, a Baltimore socialite, become one of the most vilified women of the 20th century?
- Date
- 6 March 2026
- Location
- Online
About this image
National Portrait Gallery, London
'That woman', as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hated figure in the British press for apparently ensnaring King Edward VIII and destabilising the monarchy. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she nevertheless became one of the most talked-about women of her generation and inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that he gave up a throne and an empire for her.
Join Anne Sebba as she explores the life of Wallis Simpson and her relationship with Edward VIII, the controversy surrounding their love and how she used her exile as a platform to promote her style and influence. Was she truly in love or simply a gold digger? Discover the woman behind the headlines in Anne Sebba’s reassessment of Wallis and ‘the greatest love story of the 20th century.’
Event details
- Date
- 6 March 2026, 14:00 to 15:00
- Price
-
Free
Pay what you can
- Location
- Online, Live-streamed on Vimeo
- Part of series
- Love Letters season
This event has sold out.
Dates for this event
How to join online
What you need to join
This event will be live streamed on the website of our streaming service, Vimeo.
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Watch after the event
This talk will be available to watch after the event, using the same link you will receive to join it live. It will remain available for a limited period of 48 hours after the event has finished, unless otherwise stated.
Speakers
Series
Love Letters season
Discover 500 years of devotion, longing, sacrifice and passion through our events programme.