Edward VIII’s former secretary rejects comparisons between his lover Wallis Simpson and Meghan Markle, saying Suits star ‘doesn’t come close in terms of style and sophistication’
- Wallis Simpson’s fmr secretary rejected comparisons between her & Meghan
- She claimed the Duchess had much more style and sophistication than Meghan
- She added: ‘It’s all a pity. If only the Royal family had known [Wallace Simpson]’
A former secretary to Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson has rejected comparisons between the American socialite and Meghan Markle.
Johanna Schutz, who served the Duke and Duchess of Windsor for eight years after the 1936 abdication, insisted the former Suits star ‘doesn’t come close in terms of style and sophistication’.
Due to their similarities as American divorcees married to a British royal who stepped down from royal duties, the Duchess of Sussex and Duchess of Windsor have regularly been compared to each other.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, left, are often compared to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, right
But Schutz rejected the comparison in an interview with The Telegraph, in which she also reflected on her years of service for the Windsors as they enjoyed a comfortable life of exile in France.
‘Meghan doesn’t come close to the Duchess in terms of style or sophistication,’ she told the publication.
She added: ‘It’s all a pity. If only the Royal family had known her. The Duchess was a wonderful woman.’
Wallis photographed for Vogue in 1944 (left) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex pictured on January 7 (right)
Twice-married American socialite Simpson found herself at the center of one of the most scandalous love affairs of the 20th century when she entered into a relationship with Prince Edward VIII, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne.
Their romance led to Prince Edward VIII abdicating the British throne in 1936.
Wallis received abusive and hostile hate mail and was accused of being a Nazi sympathiser.
She was formally known as the Duchess of Windsor, but was not allowed to share her husband’s title of ‘Royal Highness’.