Wallis Simpson in ‘The Crown’ Fact, Fiction, and the Price of Love
Lia Williams as Wallis Simpson, The Crown
Netflix’s The Crown portrays Wallis Simpson as a captivating yet divisive figure, whose influence over Edward VIII’s abdication and subsequent exile remains one of the most controversial royal stories of the 20th century.
Across seasons 1 and 3, the series presents her both as a charming, ambitious woman and as an isolated, bitter exile—trapped by the very love story that defined her. While the show captures many historical truths, it also leans into dramatization, adding layers of intrigue and speculation to her character.
Wallis in The Crown: Fact vs. Fiction
In Season 1, Lia Williams plays Wallis with a sharp elegance, embodying her wit and social ambition. She is shown as the woman for whom Edward VIII gave up the throne, but also as someone with deep regrets, fully aware of how exile has limited their once-glamorous life. The series suggests that Wallis never truly wanted Edward to abdicate—a historical theory debated by historians. Some letters suggest that she feared the consequences of being Queen and even attempted to break off the relationship before the crisis escalated. However, The Crown largely presents her as a woman complicit in Edward’s choices, despite her private anxieties.
In Season 3, Geraldine Chaplin portrays an older, frailer Wallis in the late 1960s, when Edward is nearing the end of his life. This version of Wallis is less the socialite and more the disillusioned widow-in-waiting, reflecting the toll of years in exile. The show accurately depicts how the Duke and Duchess of Windsor became increasingly isolated from the royal family, with the Queen maintaining a cold but dutiful relationship with her uncle and his wife. A particularly striking moment is their final visit from Prince Charles, which, while fictionalized, reflects a real meeting between Charles and the exiled couple in Paris.
Where The Crown Stays True to History
The Abdication Crisis: The show accurately depicts how Edward VIII chose love over duty, abdicating in 1936 to marry Wallis, a twice-divorced American. His decision sent shockwaves through Britain and the monarchy, forcing his younger brother, Albert, to become King George VI.
Exile and Royal Rejection: The Crown correctly shows that Wallis and Edward were shunned by the royal family, forced to live abroad, primarily in Paris. Queen Elizabeth II never fully forgave the Duke, and Wallis was never granted the courtesy title of "Her Royal Highness," a lifelong source of bitterness.
Wallis’s Style: The show beautifully replicates Wallis’s legendary fashion sense. Known for her slim-fitting gowns, bold jewelry, and love of French designers, she was dressed by Mainbocher, and her wardrobe was meticulously curated. The Crown reflects this with structured silhouettes, sleek evening gowns, and signature accessories, staying true to her high-society aesthetic.
Where The Crown Takes Liberties
Wallis and Edward’s Nazi Sympathies: While the show briefly addresses the couple’s connections to Nazi Germany, it does not fully explore the extent of their ties. Historically, Wallis and Edward met Adolf Hitler in 1937, and declassified documents suggest that the Nazis saw Edward as a potential puppet king if Britain fell during World War II. The Crown hints at these allegations but avoids making them a major plot point.
Wallis’s True Feelings About Edward: The series portrays Wallis as devoted but increasingly resentful of her husband’s decision to abdicate. While some historical evidence supports this view, there are letters in which Wallis professes love and loyalty to Edward. The reality is likely more nuanced—she may have loved him but also felt trapped in a role she never fully wanted.
Her Final Years: The show suggests that Wallis spent her later years bitter and forgotten, which is only partly true. While she did become more reclusive after Edward’s death in 1972, she remained a social figure, hosting parties in Paris. However, after a series of strokes, she became isolated and was exploited by her lawyer, who controlled her finances and restricted access to visitors.
Alex Bailey/Netflix
The Crown successfully paints Wallis Simpson as both a fashion icon and a tragic figure, torn between love, ambition, and exile.
While the show dramatizes her regrets and amplifies her bitterness, it also captures the essence of a woman who rewrote royal history and paid the price. Her signature elegance, sharp wit, and controversial legacy continue to fascinate, making her one of the most compelling figures in modern monarchy.
For all its artistic liberties, The Crown remains one of the most thoughtful portrayals of Wallis Simpson on screen, balancing admiration with critique, leaving audiences to decide whether she was a romantic heroine or a cautionary tale.
