Never-before-seen photos of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson enjoying a luxurious Mediterranean cruise in the wake of the abdication crisis have come to light.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were guests on board a yacht belonging to Greek millionaire Nicholas Zographos, a professional gambler who made his money in the casinos of the South of France.
Edward and Wallis enjoyed their 44th and 42nd birthdays during the voyage on the Frixos in the summer of 1938 – just two years after the former had abdicated the throne, being succeeded by his younger brother, George VI.
The ship’s log, which has emerged along with the black and white photos, charts the life of luxury the controversial couple enjoyed. It was compiled by skipper Joseph Barden and it covered the period between February 1, 1934 to June 18, 1940.
The log book has now emerged along with the pictures from Mr Barden’s granddaughter who is selling the archive with Chiswick Auctions, west London in April. It has a pre-sale estimate of £1,500.
It details how the couple spent their days sailing around the French Riviera often anchoring at exclusive places like Cannes, St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Antibes and the island of Sainte-Marguerite.
Pictured: A signed photograph of Wallis Simpson on the yacht. Never-before-seen photos of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson enjoying a luxurious Mediterranean cruise in the wake of the abdication crisis have come to light
A signed photograph of King Edward VIII on the yacht. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were guests on board a yacht belonging to Greek millionaire Nicholas Zographos, a professional gambler who made his money in the casinos of the South of France
Wallis Simpson onboard Frixos. Edward and Wallis enjoyed their 44th and 42nd birthdays during the voyage on the Frixos in the summer of 1938
Chiswick Auctions’ Valentina Borghi with the logbook. The ship’s log, which has emerged along with the black and white photos, charts the life of luxury the controversial couple enjoyed
Pictured: Frixos. The pair spent their days sailing around the French Riviera often anchoring at exclusive places like Cannes, St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Antibes and the island of Sainte-Marguerite
They welcomed friends on board the vessel, such as Herman and Katherine Rogers.
The couple owned a villa in Cannes which is where Wallis took shelter during the abdication crisis in 1936.
The ship’s log documents how Edward, known as David, and Wallis made lunch on board for their guests and sipped aperitifs and cocktails with them.
At night they were dropped off at Cannes to enjoy dinner and drinks in posh waterfront restaurants.
The former King also liked to walk his dog on the local sun-kissed beaches.
At the same time Edward was sunning himself, his brother King George VI was leading his country as war with Germany loomed ever closer.
Pictured: Wallis Simpson boarding Frixos. They welcomed friends on board the vessel, such as Herman and Katherine Rogers. The rich couple owned a villa in Cannes which is where Wallis took shelter during the abdication crisis in 1936
Pictured: Pages from the logbook. The ship’s log documents how Edward, known as David, and Wallis made lunch on board for their guests and sipped aperitifs and cocktails with them
Pictured: Crew onboard Frixos. At the same time Edward was sunning himself, his brother King George VI was leading his country as war with Germany loomed ever closer
A logbook entry from 12 June 1938 with remarks about how ‘the Duke and Duchess do their own cooking and prepare lunch’
The front page the logbook. Valentina Borghi, of Chiswick Auctions, said: ‘The owner of the yacht was quite close to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and in the summer of 1938 they boarded the yacht for a cruise around the French Riviera’
Pictured: Signed photographs of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII. According to the log, Edward and Wallis returned for another cruise on the Frixos the following year but it had to be cut short when he was summoned to London on the eve of war
According to the log, Edward and Wallis returned for another cruise on the Frixos the following year but it had to be cut short when he was summoned to London on the eve of war.
Valentina Borghi, of Chiswick Auctions, said: ‘The owner of the yacht was quite close to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and in the summer of 1938 they boarded the yacht for a cruise around the French Riviera.
‘The log book entries paint a picture of a very sophisticated lifestyle they enjoyed and offer a real glimpse into another era.
‘The photographs of Edward and Wallis are candid and have never been seen before.
‘This is a unique and very exciting lot.’
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