Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2014 (WOMAN ON TV) "Some people called it the greatest love story of the 20th century." "The king who gave up his throne for the woman he loved." "Wallis Simpson, as she was known, was not distinguished by great beauty, money or class." (PHONE RINGS) "But 40 years later she would spark a constitutional crisis "when the King of England, Edward VIII, decided to abdicate "in order to marry this twice-divorced American woman." (RINGING CONTINUES) "Exiled and stripped of a kingdom, they became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor." "Their romantic legend lives on today." (RINGING CONTINUES) (MAN) "Hey, Wally, it's me. I'm still in DC. I'm not gonna make it back tonight." "I haven't even made my speech yet. Gotta run. I'll see you tomorrow. Love you." 1 "Wallis had been married twice before her romance with the prince." "Her first husband, Navy Lieutenant Earl Winfield Spencer, "swept Wallis off to the exotic world of Shanghai in 1944." "The marriage ended in divorce three years later." 1 1 (WINFIELD) Wallis! Wallis! Where the fuck are you? I'm in the bath! Where's my dinner? I'm hungry. Don't you tell me to wait! I want my food now. I waited six hours for you. Win, not the baby! I'm hungry. (WOMAN) This is a very unusual situation, Wally. Well, what are my options? You're only 28. One of your options would be to relax and keep trying. We've been married six years. We've never used birth control. I'd like to start IVF. What about your husband? Would he be willing to come in? There could be something... No. He wouldn't. He says he got his girlfriend pregnant in college. Still, IVF is a very aggressive approach for a woman of your age. Perhaps I could refer you to a nutritionist. Or maybe you and your husband could go away on a vacation. My husband doesn't take vacations. (GLASS CLINKS) (WOMAN) Excuse me, everyone, I would like to make a toast. I know you heard it earlier at the awards ceremony, but I would like to personally thank you, William, for all of your hard work on behalf of terminally ill children and for your tireless effort and support for our foundation. You could make a fortune as a shrink, treating the rich and shameless. (WOMAN) What's wrong with the rich and shameless? Absolutely nothing, Daphne, as long as you keep writing the cheques. To our very own Prince of Wales, Dr William Winthrop. (ALL) To William. Your husband, what can I say? Generous, smart and, PS, gorgeous. Lucky you. Wally. Wally. Arabella. How are you? You must be so proud of William. It's such an honour. What's it gonna take to get you to the Hamptons this summer? Edgar's starting to think you don't like us. That's not true. I just wish I could get William to go away. He never wants to leave his patients. Well, that's why he wins the awards. You are such a lucky girl. Thank you. I'll see you inside. "Her name was Bessie Wallis Warfield." "She was born into a poor Southern family on June 19th, 1896." "40 years later, the King of England, the handsome and dashing Edward Vlll, "fell in love and decided to marry this American woman." "Tomorrow, Sotheby's begins previewing their impressive estate. "an estate now owned by Mohammed Al Fayed, "the colourful and controversial owner of Harrods in London." "Sotheby's says they will be auctioning off more than 40,000 pieces of history..." Who's the blonde? What blonde? The one you were talking to all night. I talked to a lot of people tonight. Everyone but me. Is that your new girlfriend? You're my new girlfriend. Very funny. If it isn't Sotheby's number one research hotshot. Tenten. Oh, my God. I miss having you around. I miss being here. What do you miss about being overworked and underpaid? Everything. You look great. Miss Brooks needs help with the luggage vignette. Don't leave without filling me in. I wanna hear everything, married lady. All right. Marie? Oui, madame. Oui, madame. Oui, madame. I'm sorry. I didn't... No. It's no problem. We have plenty 18th-century crystal in the back. I believe it's 19th century. (CLEARS THROAT) (WALLY) 'I went to the fertility doctor today.' (WILLIAM) 'Does she know what's wrong with you?' 'Yeah. I need to relax.' 'I wanna go through with IVF.' 'IVF? You can't make these decisions without consulting me.' 'You're never around.' 'Jesus Christ.' 'We're talking about children, William.' 'No. You're talking about children.' Oh, come on, they were Nazis, or at least Nazi sympathisers. Says who? Everyone. It's common knowledge. Thank you. They went to Germany in the '30s, met with Hitler. Because Edward was desperate to avoid a war. They might have been naive. It doesn't make them Nazis. It's all documented, Wally. It's not, actually. Most of it's based on rumour. Let's agree to disagree. I thought doctors relied on empirical evidence, not gossip. Well, this doctor's off duty tonight. Lucky me. Speed limit. Civil War. Old news. Bad luck. Safe sex. Unconditional love. Tongue twister or spoonerism? Definitely tongue twister. I don't even know what a spoonerism is. You don't know what a spoonerism is? I don't, miss. I don't believe that. Try this one. Round and round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran... You make it sound so sexy. ..in a truly rural way. Hmm? Try that. (BLEEPING) Shit. I've gotta go back to the hospital. Now? Yeah. Be back as soon as I can. Wait up for me, all right? OK. Bye. 1 (DIALS NUMBER) (RINGING TONE) "Hello, New York Presbyterian." Is Dr Winthrop there? "Uh, no. We haven't seen him tonight." Are you sure? "Yes, ma'am, I'm quite sure." All right. Thank you. 1 1 Bless you. Thank you. This infernal cold. We don't have to go to this thing. Are you out of your mind? I've spent six months ingratiating myself to get this invitation. I understand that, Wallis, but you're not feeling well. I'm not letting Thelma down. You know how hard she works to make these weekends perfect for His Royal Highness. We can't disappoint him. Disappoint him? He doesn't even know us. Precisely why we're going, Ernest, darling. I swear, you are the most stubborn woman I have ever met. (SNEEZES) Excuse us! (LAUGHS) Just trying to be polite. Thank you, darling. I... (BEEPS HORN) Oh, there's one left! You know what I don't understand? Why Thelma calls the Prince David when his name is really Edward. His full name: Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David. Only his family call him David. Thelma is not family. I'm sure she'd like to be. (SNEEZES) Bless you. 1 1 Can you believe we're here? Oh! Darling. I'm just happy to get away with you somewhere. Ernest, we have to practise. Yes, yes, OK. Come here. Right. Your Highness. Left foot. OK. All right. One, two, three. One, two, three. Two, two, three. Two, two... Sorry. I hope you don't mind if I dance with the prince. Darling, I'll be upset if you don't. (GENTLE MUSIC) David. Mmm. Ah, Connie, you look lovely. How are you, darling? Connie. Goodness me. Hello. Your Royal Highness. How do you find living in England, Mrs Simpson? I love it. Except for the lack of central heating. I'm always cold. Maybe you need someone to keep you warm. Isn't that what husbands are for? I don't know. What are husbands for? You might have to marry someone to find out, sir. And how do you find marriage, Mrs Simpson? Everything's a compromise, isn't it? Doesn't sound very romantic. Ah, romance. That's another matter altogether, Your Highness. Are all American girls such good dancers? I wouldn't know, sir. Haven't danced with many. Excuse me, ma'am. We're closing now. I'm sorry. I was just daydreaming. It's no problem. We're still closing. OK. 1 I miss this place. It's so good to be sitting at a desk again. Please put me to work. Uh-uh. I've been here 12 hours. I need a distraction. I told you before, I wanna hear everything. (MAN) Ladies and gentlemen, the exhibition is now closing. The exhibition is now closing. Excuse me, ma'am. Ma'am. You forgot your umbrella. Thank you. I'm Evgeni Kolpakov. Wally Winthrop. Yeah, you were one of Miss Brooks's girls, hm? They don't talk much to the help. Have a good night. You too. Mm-hm. Shut up. (MAN) "Wallis had already left the country and had arrived in France." "The ex-king went to Austria to begin his exile." "They spent the next five months apart. She was with friends on the Riviera." "But he sent her dozens of letters and telephoned every day." (MAN 2) "I have never known, in the course of all knowledge, "one person so utterly possessed by another as he was by her." "It was very remarkable." "It wasn't domination." "It was a form of possession." (WALLIS) You know, you're quite pretty. My endowments were definitely on the scanty side. Nobody ever called me beautiful or even pretty. I think you were. I mean, you still are very attractive. Attractive, my dear, is a polite way of saying a woman's made the most of what she's got. The only thing I could do was dress better than anyone else. If everyone looked at me when I entered a room, then I knew my husband would feel proud of me. Don't you think a woman has more to offer than the way she's dressed? Of course. But men are such visual creatures, darling. So it's a good place to start. The most important thing is your face. The other end, you just sit on. Am I interrupting something? No. Nothing. I was just... It doesn't look like nothing to me. What does it look like to you? Looks like you're trying to be someone you're not. Where were you tonight? I was working. And last night? You never even came home. What is this? An interrogation? I was working. I slept at the hospital. I called the hospital. They said you weren't there. I was in the emergency room. I'm not having this conversation again. I don't have a nine-to-five job, Wally. You could have called. I tried your cellphone. It was off. I was worried. You were worried? Is that why you got dressed up like a whore? I don't know, William. Why don't you tell me? What does a whore dress like? I can't compete with the Duke of Windsor. "It was a marvellous reception the king received in South Wales "on his visit to the communities of that depressed area..." (SPEAKS WELSH) Hello, sir. Very nice to meet you. Evening, sir. Hi, there. God bless you, sir. (SPEAKS WELSH) Thank you, sir. (SPEAKS WELSH) God bless you, sir. Sir. (SPEAKS WELSH) Thank you. Hello there. (SPEAKS WELSH) Sir, I don't think that's a good idea. Thank you for having me into your home. "He travelled through the Rhondda, Monmouth Valleys. The whole region was dying for want of work." Your Highness, what is your impression of South Wales? My impression... My impression is that this is a place of decent men and women living in indecent conditions, and something must be done. (CHEERING) Thank you! Thank you, Your Highness! (MAN) "Something must be done." "This natural sentiment was seized on by some and called political meddling." (WALLIS) Why the outrage if you're just stating the obvious? The king is not meant to have an opinion. You wanna play deaf, dumb and blind? Precisely. Well, where I come from we say what we think and we mean what we say. I like where you come from. Baltimore? Your... Your Royal Highness. Ernest. I made his Royal Highness a martini. Would you like one? That would be lovely, darling. (DOORBELL) That'll be Connie. Excuse me. Thelma called. She said she might be a little late. Then you'll just have to keep me entertained. I make a mean martini. Let's start there and see how it goes. Sorry we're late. Darling, Connie's here. Your Royal Highness. Marvellous to see you. Hello, Wallis, darling. I hope you don't mind. I brought some thirsty friends. The more the merrier. Lovely to see you. How are you? Who are you? (TURNS UP MUSIC VOLUME) Love the frock. Hello. How are you? Let me give you drinks. Stay right there. I know what you like. Your drinks are becoming legendary, Mrs Simpson. Well, something had to be done with those awkward hours between tea and dinner. Ah, Thelma. There you are, darling. David. You're here already. Yes. What took you so long? Hello. Hello. 1 1 I must say Marmaduke's been such a gentleman about the divorce. One lump or two? One. It almost makes me have second thoughts about leaving him. Never jump into the same river twice. Anyway, after ten minutes with David, I soon forgot all about that river. He took me to see "Tosca" last night. Divine. "Tosca" or His Royal Highness? Both. Thelma, can I ask you something? Of course. Do you call him Your Royal Highness? Well, you know, do you call him Your Royal Highness... No. I only ever call him David. Or darling. I hate the thought of leaving him while I'm in America. How long will you be gone? Three months. Oh. Promise me you'll look after him. David so adores you and Ernest. Well, no one can fill your shoes. But we'll do our best. Thank you, Wallis. You're such a good friend. (MAN) Ladies and gentlemen, the exhibition is now closing. The exhibition is now closing. Hi. I can give you another 15 minutes while we lock up. No, thanks, I was just leaving. OK. Have a good night, Miss Winthrop. Mrs Winthrop. Mrs Winthrop. Have a good night. You too. (MAN) "You don't think, ma'am, that women have suffered somewhat "over the last 30 years by being too competitive with men?" "They've lost something of their essential character and charm?" (WALLIS) "I don't think so really." Wally? Wally? I'll be right out. "..femininity in business." "You and the duke would have liked to have had children?" I'm a jerk. 1 1 What is it? Is it me? No. I just wish we could have sex without the constant pressure of your need to get pregnant. I never said anything about that. No, but it's always there. Sorry. Maybe I don't want a kid. Since when? I don't know. Do you wanna talk about it? Not really. William... You told me you wanted to have children, that you didn't want me to work. I gave up my career. If that's what you wanna call it. Regardless of what you think, it was work to me and I enjoyed it. Calm down. (DOOR SLAMS) (PLAYS SIMPLE TUNE) Are you... ..finished? (PLAYS FINAL NOTES) You don't believe all this nonsense about Thelma and the Aly Khan? She's devoted to you. Devoted to me, to her husband and now to a camel jockey. She's extended her stay to America by another month. Well, then she deserves your pity, not your jealousy. Jealousy? Who says I'm jealous? Well, all men are territorial. I'm not all men. But you're a man. I'm a man who needs a drink. Tell me about your day. How did your meeting go at the House of Commons? Disastrous. I was accused of being a socialist. That's quite a feat. Only last week you were accused of being a fascist. They'll say anything to undermine me. I'm sure you don't wish to talk about my work. Actually, I do. I just finished that book you suggested on social reform. I think what you're trying to do is incredibly important. One olive or two? Two. There we are. Everybody deserves a roof over their head. Now you sound like a socialist. Well, if the Germans can do it, why can't the English? Wallis, you're the only woman who has ever shown any interest in my work. Am I... sir? Please, call me David. (DOOR CLOSES) Your Royal Highness. What a surprise. Really? I've been here every night this week. Will you be staying for dinner, sir? Well, if you'll have me. If you don't mind having chicken. Again? Again. Would you like a drink, dear? Yes. Yes, please. Oh. Hi. Mrs Winthrop, hello. Whoa. Sorry, you can't come in here. Why not? VIP entrance. You have a pass? Where do I get one of those? It's very complicated. You have identification? Wally! How's that for identification? Miss Brooks has sent her KGB officer. So, I see someone has an admirer. What's his story? Russian intellectual slumming as a security guard. Dime a dozen. 1 1 I'm dreading tonight. Why? Lady Cunard can be so tiresome. She dislikes everybody. That's not the point. It's Thelma's coming home party. And Thelma's a dear friend. We have to go. I suppose you'll be seated next to Peter Pan. Don't call him that. Why not? A man can be envious of a fellow who doesn't have to grow up. It seems like an unfair advantage. What are you going on about? I hope you don't ignore me all night. Ernest, darling. How could I ignore you when you look so dashing in your tuxedo? Not as dashing as the prince. Now you're just being silly. Run along and let me get ready. OK. Go on. See you in a few minutes. 1 1 (INAUDIBLE) 1 How's your meat cooked? Is it a bit dry? Here's an idea. We could do the red and then the green in the same room. It would look extraordinary. David? Maybe we could come up the fort next weekend or the weekend after? I'd like to make a toast to my dear friend Thelma who's been gone far, far too long. London's been dreary without you, darling. Welcome home. Thank you. To Thelma. (ALL) To Thelma. Welcome home. David, you'll never guess where I visited in Manhattan. Where? The Empire State Building. I went all the way to the very top, 102 floors. Can you imagine? The view was breathtaking. Sounds dangerous. You couldn't pay me enough to go to the top of that building. Nobody one could pay you enough. You are married to the wealthiest man in England. I thought I was the wealthiest man in England. Oh, my God, David, look what you've done. You've torn my dress. I'm so sorry. Well... It is Schiaparelli. More wine, anyone? 1 I see potential danger in the jewellery department. Yep, I'm sure you do. Just doing my job, Dwayne. Yep, I'm sure you are. 1 You've been extremely decent about all this, old chap. How can I be anything but? I love her. 'I will always love her. All I can ask is that you do the same.' You have my word. Your Majesty. 1 1 I think this belongs to you. Oh. Are you trying to seduce me? Is it working? (ALL) # For he's a jolly good fellow # For he's a jolly good fellow # And so say all of us # And so say all of us And so say all of us # For he's a jolly good fellow # For he's a jolly good fellow # For he's a jolly good fellow # And so say all of us? # Open it. It's not my birthday. Oh, it's like Fort Knox. "All for love and the world well lost. Happy birthday. WE." Thank you, David. Who's WE? Wallis and Edward, silly. That's so sweet. Your tea, madam. Your Majesty. You certainly know the way to a woman's heart. I wasn't aiming that high. All right? Your Majesty. We may stay some time. Wallis, darling, turn around. Try to enjoy it. David, are you sure these photos won't run in England? Don't worry. Fleet Street and I have an understanding. Don't we, Slipper? I hope you're right. Well, Slipper's never wrong. Your Majesty, his popularity is not in question. It seems the worse he behaves, the more he is loved. It's a pretty kettle of fish we're in. Fleet Street is all over me about this. Even the American press is starting to wag its tail. Sign of the times, isn't it, Prime Minister? What are you suggesting? I'm not suggesting anything, Your Majesty. He seems to have made his bed, hasn't he? 1 (MAN SINGS IN FRENCH) 1 1 Get a life. Are you OK? I'm fine. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know what's wrong with you either. Look, I'm due for a break. Why don't we go get a cup of coffee? OK? Come on. So what is your thing with them? My thing? The duke and the duchess. It's a long story. Can you make it a short one? Little girls love fairy tales? OK. You know, the happily-ever-after kind. How do you know they lived happily ever after? Don't rain on my parade. Excuse me? It's an expression. Yes, I know. So tell me about your family. Like what? How's your mother? My mother? She named me after Wallis Simpson. She and my grandmother were obsessed with her. I guess they wanted me to marry a prince. And did you? That's the long story. What about you? What about me? Where are you from? Vermont. Very funny. Refugee camp in Vermont. In Vermont? Vermont is full of surprises. I like your watch. Thank you. It looks old. It is. A gift. From? My wife. You're married? Was. I'm raining on your parade again? No. You remind me of her. Is that a good thing? It's not a bad thing. (PHONE RINGS) Hello? "Hey, it's me." Hi, William. "I'm not gonna get home tonight." "This thing's running late and I'm behind at work." "I've got some papers to write. Are you all right?" "You started dinner?" (HANGS UP) (SOBS) (WILLIAM) 'Is that why you're dressed up like a whore?' 1 Wallis sent us a letter inviting us to Fort Belvedere, first week in September. Yes, should be great fun. We're used to getting our invitations from you, David. I'm happy to let Wallis write my letters. She's much better at it than I am. How lucky you are. How much longer will you be staying in the... south... The south of France? Until September. Sorry for the delay. Lunch will be ready any minute. Edward was... just telling us how indispensable you've become to him. And where's your husband these days, Mrs Simpson? He's working. In London. Wallis, you all right? Why do you ask? You left in such a hurry after lunch. Did I? I'm sorry. Wallis, what's wrong? Lunch with your brother and sister-in-law. They are rather dull, aren't they? They'll never accept me. You'd let Bertie and Elizabeth dictate our future? It isn't just Bertie and Elizabeth. It won't be once we're married. David, let's stop all this talk about marriage. It frightens me. And I can't see any good coming of it. Why? Your family will never stand for it. The prime minister won't stand for it. Then I'll give up the throne. And I will be the most despised woman in the world. Why do you belittle yourself? They would be lucky to have you as their queen. You're delusional. If I had any sense at all, I would just disappear. Don't you understand? You can do whatever you like, go wherever you want, but whatever you do... I'll follow you. (DOG BARKS) Quiet, Chester. She invited a string of Americans to stay with them in Cannes. How common. Well, you know how fond David is of Americans. I'm sure the rumours aren't entirely true, Your Majesty. Which rumours? That he's, well, rather serious about her. What do you mean, serious? She's a married woman. David has always had the most atrocious judgement. Hope to God he never marries her or has children. Nothing comes between Bertie and Lilibeth and the throne. Your Majesty, David has always been destined for greatness. And in any case, I'm sure it will never come to that. (DOG BARKS) (YELLS) Have you... seen Father already? No. But we're meant to have dinner. I'm not staying. You promised. Please don't leave me on my own with Father. I'm sorry, Bertie. David. What shall I tell him? I don't know. Tell him... Tell him I've lost my appetite. Wally. Hi. Evgeni. I was looking for you. I have something that I want to show you. I think you'll be very interested. But you have to go to the preview area after we close and wait for me there. Are you in a rush? No, I'm not. No? OK. Ten minutes. You can't you take her to a bar like a normal person? She practically works here. That's good. Cos if anyone finds out, we won't be. Relax, baby. I've got everything under control. Shh. Are you ready? A toast. (SPEAKS RUSSIAN) What does that mean? To love and... Other disasters? ..to the time... the time to enjoy her. Cheers. Please. Oh, my God. (PLAYS WALTZ) 1 1 1 Ah, one more thing. Evgeni? What are you doing? What does it look like I'm doing? What? You don't want to try it on? I don't want you to lose your job. Why? Are you gonna run off with it? Evgeni, no. Come on. Relax. It's a fake. "King George Ill has died and the nation mourns." "As Prince Edward ascends the throne, "the public are startled by news of a romance that threatens the monarchy." "The newly crowned king intends to marry a commoner, Mrs Wallace Simpson." "His decision has sparked a constitutional crisis." What are you thinking about? "The strong-minded king is at odds with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin "who demands the marriage must not take place, on pain of abdication." What it must feel like to be loved that much. And what is your definition of love? He gave up everything for her. (WALLIS) Why do people only focus on what he gave up? That's true. What's true? What about what I gave up? (WALLY) She gave up a lot too. My privacy. My freedom. My reputation. I don't know how she did it. Did what? I never looked to the past. I always wanted to embrace the new things that life had to offer. The whole world turned against her, but she never backed down. Darling, they can't hurt you unless you let them. I should go home. It's getting late. OK. Can I walk you home? If you put your pants on. Right. You play beautifully. You see? We're not all gangsters. No, you're not. Thank you. It was my pleasure. See you soon. You don't want me to walk you all the way? It's OK. I live just here. Thanks. 1 William? William? You here? (WALLIS) 'Darling, they can't hurt you unless you let them.' (WALLIS) 'Darling, they can't hurt you unless you let them.' (MAN) Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Auction. And now Lot Number One, Lot Number One, the gilt hand irons. And I have $2,000, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10,000. 12,000, 14,000, 16, 18, $20,000 now. 21, 22, 23, 24,000, 25,000, 26. At $27,500, and �50,000. (APPLAUSE) Hi. Hi. I saved you a seat. Thanks, but I'm just gonna stand back here. Coward. At $75,000. Fair warning. Sold! Next up, Lot 105, the Cartier sterling silver pillbox. 3,000 to start. 3,000's the bid. Four, five, six, seven thousand. Ten paddles at eight, nine, ten, 11, 12,000. 15, 16,000, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22... What is that? Benzedrine. It's time to wake these people up. Well... Go on. All right. Cheers. Cheers. Dance for us, Wallis. Come on. Come on, do that dance I love. No. Come on, do it. Oh, God. Right. # SEX PISTOLS: Pretty Vacant # We're so pretty Oh, so pretty # We're vacant # We're so pretty, oh, so pretty # We're vacant... 14, 15, 16, say 17, 17, 18, 19,000. # Don't pretend Cos I don't care # I don't believe illusions Too much is real Stop your cheap comment... 20,000 right and centre. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. # We're so pretty Oh, so pretty $30,000, right up front. # Vacant # We're so pretty Oh, so pretty Are we all through? # But now # And we don't care # 32,500. Up here on the left. Congratulations. # We're pretty # Pretty vacant And we don't care # Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the auction for today. So, are you or aren't you? Huh? Going to bid on something? Oh, God, no. Why? Too nerve-wracking. Plus my husband would hate me wasting money on something so trivial. But... it's not trivial to you. He wouldn't see it that way. He's a shrink. He'd find some way to use it against me. Shall I walk you home? It's OK. I'll take a cab. OK. I still don't understand why I have to go to this dinner. Sooner or later my prime minister must meet my future wife. Your future wife's still married. A technicality. Ernest isn't a technicality. He's still my husband. He's been nothing but decent through all of this. Quite right. But he's agreed to it, hasn't he? And now it's just a matter of time. You do realise I'll have to go to Suffolk to file. And then I'll have to live on a bloody cow farm for six months. Promise me you won't come and visit. I'm not promising anything. You have to. I want a clean divorce. I can't be associated with you or any man. I'm not any man, I'm the king. Well, Your Majesty, that's the law in your country. Then that's one more thing I'm going to have to change. You don't have to change everything. Some things are better left alone. But you're not one of those things. I don't know what to say. Don't say anything. It might be held against you. How's your husband, Mrs Simpson? Get on back to where you came from. Yankee harlot! Hi. Hey, Wally. You're bidding? I am. We miss you around here. Good luck. 12,000, 13, 14, 15, 16,000, 17,000, 18, 19,000 left. At 20,000, 21,000, 22,000, 23,000, 24,000, 25,000 far left, 25,000. At $26,000 now, back centre. $26,000. Fair warning. Sold! For $26,000. Next lot, Number 243. A collection of gloves, kid gloves. Just kidding. Worn by the duchess. Estimate is $100 to $150. Where do I have 100? One, two, three, four, five, six. Paddles everywhere. Seven, eight, nine, $1,000. 11, 12, 1400, 16, 18, $2,000. Now it's $2,000. $3,000 now. 3,500, 4,000, 4,500. $5,000. Be they ever so humbled. 5,500. 6,000. 6,500's on the phone. 7,000. On my left, in the room. $7,000. 7,500 on the telephone. (MOUTHS) Thank you. $8,000 in the room. $8,000 now. It's 8,500 on the phone. Sorry. $9,000 in the room. At $9,000 now. Bidding at nine. Such gloves. 9,500 now, back on the phone. Hate that telephone, right? (ALL LAUGH) Fair warning. $9,500. $10,000. Back in the room. $10,000. $10,000. The phone says no. 10,000 in the room, and sold, on my left, for $10,000. Thank you very much. Shit. (MAN) Mrs Winthrop. Mrs Winthrop. (MAN SINGS IN FRENCH) Mrs Winthrop. Your husband was looking for you. Thank you, Victor. Home at last. Why were you in the dark? Interesting day? You're drunk. OK, let's start again. Interesting day? Not especially. Well, I had an interesting day. Don't you always? I don't always get a phone call from the bank. About what? You spent over $11,000 at Sotheby's. I'll pay for it out of my own account. Your own account? It's all my money. You're the one who won't let me work. That's not the point. When you're spending my money, you ask. You mean the way I have to ask you if you're coming home every night or I have to make an appointment to speak to you? This is not about me. To spend time with you? Or the way I have to ask you for sex? Why don't you wanna have sex with me? William? Please, Wally. Don't do this to me right now. If you're having an affair, just tell me. Get off. William... I wanna know, where do you go every night? Tell me. Answer me. Answer me! Answer me! Stop it. That's right. You go make yourself another drink. Maybe that'll help you get it up. You... You have no respect. What did you spend all my money on? I fucking feed you, I clothe you, and what the fuck do you do for me? You couldn't even give me a kid if I wanted one, you stupid fucking cunt. 1 1 (SOBS) (PHONE RINGS) (DAVID) "Hello?" "Hello, Wallis? Are you there?" (WALLIS) "Yes, I'm here." "I need you, Wallis." "Your country needs you." "I'm no good to my country without you." "You and I can only create disaster together." Please, David. Please let me go. "You don't understand." It's all over. The instrument of abdication is already prepared. The what? The only condition under which I can remain in England is if I renounce you for all time. And I will never agree to that. "Wallis? Are you there?" (WALLIS) 'Dear David, this is a difficult letter to write.' 'I must really return to Ernest.' 'I feel secure with him, and I'm only left with my side of the show to run.' 'True, we are unable to do the attractive, amusing things in life, 'which I must confess, I do love and enjoy, 'but weighed against a calm, congenial life, I choose the latter.' 'For I know that though I shall suffer greatly now, I shall be a happier, calmer old lady.' 'I'm sure, dear David, that in a few months, your life will run again as it did before.' 'I shall always read about you. And you will know I want you to be happy.' 'I feel sure I can't make you so and I honestly don't think you can me.' Ladies and gentlemen, sadly and wonderfully, the final lot. Lot 432, the abdication desk. (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) The desk where King Edward delivered his final speech as King of England. But before the bidding begins, we'd like to show the actual newsreel of this most historic event. "In Windsor Castle, the greatest drama of our time approaches its world-stirring climax." "London is tense with excitement. Crowds gather at 10 Downing Street." "Prime Minister Baldwin leaves for Parliament." "In his pocket is the document signed by the king, "announcing his renunciation to his 500 million subjects throughout the world." "From the House of Commons comes the word that shocks the empire." "King and Emperor Edward Vlll prepares to publically renounce his throne for the woman he loves." "We interrupt our programmes at this time to present a most momentous address "by Mr David Windsor, former King Edward Vlll of England." "This is Windsor Castle. His Royal Highness, Prince Edward." 1 "At long last, I'm able to say a few words of my own." "I've never wanted to withhold anything." "But until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak." "A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as king and emperor." "And now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, "my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him." "This I do with all my heart." "You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne." "But I want you to understand that in making up my mind, "I did not forget the country or the empire, "which as Prince of Wales and lately as king, "I have for 25 years tried to serve." "But you must believe me when I tell you "that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility "and to discharge my duties as king without the help and support of the woman I love." This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country, will be able to take my place without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you and not bestowed on me... ..a happy home with his wife and children. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people, wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. And now we all have a new king. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all. God save the king. (CROWDS) Long live the king. Long live the king. (MAN) God save the king. (AUCTIONEER) '325,000. You are the best, a splendid audience.' $400,000. 400,000. 425. At $425,000 in the centre. Any more at 425? In the centre. Sold! (APPLAUSE) (RINGING TONE) (BLEEPS) "You've reached Wally. Please leave a message." Excuse me, Tenten. Sorry. Have you seen Wally today? No. No, it's... Have you spoken to her? Do you know if she's gonna be coming in? Maybe she's got something better to do? There's no way she'd miss the last day of the auction. Is Mrs Winthrop in? Who may I say is calling? Evgeni Kolpakov. From Sotheby's. Hello? Wally? Wally. What happened? Who did this to you? It's OK. I'm here. I'm here, OK? Shh. It's OK. 1 1 1 "From the House of Commons comes the word that shocks the empire. The king is going into exile." 1 For God's sake. Quick, quick. On the floor. Come inside, Wallis. You poor thing. Welcome. I'm gonna put your things in the bedroom, OK? I'll sleep out on the sofa. Bathroom is right in here. OK? So... 1 What happened to your wife? She died. Three years ago. Will you play something for me? Yeah. 1 1 1 Here are the keys. Feel free to snoop around. See you tonight? 1 (CLOCK CHIMES) 1 1 1 (WALLIS) 'Pain under the ribs.' 'Under the heart.' 'The struggle between it and the brain to gain the upper hand.' 'The brain trying continuously to rationalise.' 'To mend.' 'To save the situation.' 'The pain clawing and tearing like a bird of prey.' 1 (THUNDER) Where'd you learn to play like that? My grandfather taught me. He had great expectations. You know what they say. What do they say? Expectations lead to disappointment. 1 'Darling, I know this can't come as a complete shock.' 'God knows it was never planned or wished for.' 'Our marriage has become untenable.' 'It's unfair of me to continue to string you along, 'especially now that the king has made his intentions clear.' 'You know I adore you... '..and I hope you will find it in your heart... '..to forgive me.' 'Tonight I love the whole pathetic, glorious, ridiculous world, 'and you, my darling, most of all and more than ever.' OK, this place is fantastic. What's it called? Zablozki's. It's Russian? What else? Me break? You break. You didn't leave me anything. What am I meant to hit? Hit the ball. From here? A little softer. Ugh! (PHONE RINGS) Good morning. Black Box Gallery. Can I help you? "Thierry there?" He'll be in tomorrow. I can take a message. "No, I'll call back." OK. Bye. (DIALS NUMBER) (RINGING TONE) "Hello?" Tenten. It's Wally. "Wally!" Did you see the piece in the news about the letters? "Yeah. Why?" Do you know Mohammed Al Fayed well enough to arrange a meeting? "Why do you wanna meet with him?" 'I have to read those letters.' "OK." 'I know it sounds crazy.' "What are you thinking?" 'I'll say I'm a writer, that I'm writing a book.' "OK. Let me see what I can do." 'OK. Thanks, Tenten.' 'I've decided to go to Paris.' 'Sounds romantic.' 'Tenten arranged a meeting for me with Mohammed Al Fayed.' 'Mohammed Al Fayed?' 'Apparently he has hundreds of letters that he decided not to sell.' 'Why do you need to read them?' I need to find something out. Thank you. 1 Did the duke and duchess really stay in this suite? Madame, why else would we call it the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite? Right. Please show Madame the Duke and Duchess's Suite. 1 I shall wait outside, madame. Merci. 1 1 1 'I'd like to place a call to Buckingham Palace, London.' 'It's the Duke of Windsor calling from Paris. Yes, it's urgent.' I know how busy he is. Please remind him before he was king, he was my brother. You keep placing the blame on Downing Street. Downing Street places it on the Palace. The duchess and I are no closer to coming home to England. Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor is calling from Paris. He says it's urgent. Tell him the king is otherwise engaged. You know what he's calling about and you'll give in if you speak to him. He's my brother. The last thing you need is your brother, the Nazi, dashing around England with that trollop of a wife. He didn't know. Nobody knew. They dined together. That is enough for me. Churchill dined with Stalin. My brother is not a Nazi. You're not being... We're struggling to maintain an empire. And you're doing so well. Tell him I'm busy. Yes, Your Majesty. What a degradation, being kept out of England by my own brother. I just want to serve my country. They don't want a folk legend waltzing in and stealing Bertie's thunder. I'm not a folk legend. I warned you this would happen. I wasn't even allowed to fight in the Great War for God's sake. I had to stand and watch while brave men died. How can they deny me this after everything I've given up? I warned you they would never accept me as your wife, with or without a title. What kind of life do you think we're going to have wandering around as the world's most celebrated parasites? (SOBS) At least you have each other. This isn't some kind of fairy tale. Wake up. 1 Madame Montague? Monsieur Al Fayed is expecting you. Please come with me. I read that you kept a collection of letters from the duke and duchess. Yes, hundreds, and in amazing condition. Why didn't you put those up for auction? Miss Montague, when you buy an inkpot or a dress, you cannot add to it an opinion. But when someone reads a letter, especially an intimate one, this is open to interpretation. Would it be possible for me to look at them? I don't generally show them to anyone. Mr Al Fayed, I completely understand and respect everything you've said. It's just I think it's important to tell the story from her point of view. From the point of view of the foreigner who fell in love with a royal. People seem to only focus on what he gave up for her. But what about what she gave up? They never consider that. Let me think about it. How much longer will you be staying in Paris? As long as it takes for you to say yes. It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Montague. You too, Mohammed. 1 1 1 'Bonsoir, madame. There is a message for you from the office of Monsieur Al Fayed.' 'Bonsoir, madame. There is a message for you from the office of Monsieur Al Fayed.' 'Monsieur Al Fayed apologised that he can't be here.' 'The letters are in that box on the table.' 'Thank you.' 'I will leave you alone.' 1 1 'Dearest Aunt B. We arrived Thursday and once again it's raining.' 'It's so dull for the women as there's no form of excitement here.' 'Darling, I'm so sorry for not having written for a month, 'but I can't begin to tell you what my life has been.' 'The duke remains despondent by the behaviour of his family.' 'The constant whisperings that we supported Hitler and his diabolical behaviour are preposterous.' 'The rumours hang over us like a black cloud.' 'In spite of my efforts to cheer him up, he's often inconsolable.' 'Sometimes it seems I have no one but you to lighten my burden.' 'Aunt Bessie, I feel ashamed to admit I feel suffocated by his constant attention, like a child.' 'He continues to bemoan his lack of usefulness, yet how can I change that which I caused?' 'He used me to escape his prison only to incarcerate me in my own.' 'The US press has practically ruined two people's lives. However, they go on, hounding away.' 'It does get one's morale down and I'm so tired of it all.' 'Even the heart has been acting up and I've been put to bed for a week's complete rest.' 'No calls, no callers.' 'Everything everywhere seems to get worse and worse and you can't help but be depressed by it all.' 'We have nothing but a series of unpleasant business.' 'I cried myself to sleep last night. No talks to a boy.' 'And today all the lines are down in Cannes.' 'I really can't continue to carry on with all of England taking cracks at me 'and no decent society speaking to me.' 'What have I done to deserve this treatment?' 'I've never had a word said in my defence or a kind word in the press.' 'Oh, Aunt Bessie, I feel I've disappointed him, though he'd never let on.' 'I know how badly the duke wanted children.' 'Win, not the baby.' 'I'm sorry to bother you, my darling, but I feel like an animal in a trap 'and there's two buzzards working me over.' 'You're losing your popularity through me.' 'Together, I suppose, we're strong enough to face this mean world.' 'But separated, I feel... I'm scared for you, your safety.' 'Hold me tight, please, David.' 'It is not an enemy who has done this thing but mine own familiar friend.' You have no idea how hard it is to live out the greatest romance of the century. And now I will have to be with him always. And now I will have to be with him always. And always and always. 1 1 1 1 What shall we do tonight? Shall I read to you? Would you like me to rub your feet? I want you to dance. Dance for me, Wallis. # CHUBBY CHECKER: The Twist # Come on, baby # Let's do the twist # Come on, baby # Let's do the twist # Take me by my little hand # And go like this # Ee-oh, twist # Baby, baby, twist # Ooh, yeah # Just like this # Come on, miss # And do the twist # My daddy is sleeping # And Mama ain't around # Yeah, Daddy's just sleeping # And Mama ain't around # Wally, hi. I've got some good news for you. Well... ..I suppose this is goodbye. I suppose it is. I think these belong to you. I often find myself wondering if there was some sort of plan that controlled my life. My Aunt Bessie insists that I've always had one germinating in the back of my mind for everything I've done. Do you believe we can change our destiny? Why, I think you know the answer to that. (PHONE RINGS) Hello? "Hey, Wally. How was Paris?" I was just about to call. "I missed you." I've got something to tell you. "Are you OK?" Yeah. 1 www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2014 1 1 1 1 # MADONNA: Masterpiece # If you were the Mona Lisa # You'd be hanging in the Louvre # Everyone would come to see you # You'd be impossible to move # It seems to me it's what you are # A rare and priceless work of art # You stay behind your velvet rope # But I will not renounce all hope # And I'm right by your side # Like a thief in the night # I stand in front of the masterpiece # And I can't tell you why # It hurts so much # To be in love with the masterpiece # Cos after all # Nothing's indestructible # From the moment I first saw you # All the darkness turned to white # An Impressionistic painting # Tiny particles of light # It seem to me it's what you're like # The "look but please don't touch me" type # And honestly it can't be fun # To always be the chosen one # And I'm right by your side # Like a thief in the night # I stand in front of the masterpiece # And I can't tell you why # It hurts so much # To be in love with the masterpiece # Cos after all # Nothing's indestructible # Nothing's indestructible # Nothing's indestructible # Nothing's indestructible # And I'm right by your side # Like a thief in the night # Stand in front of the masterpiece # And I can't tell you why # It hurts so much # To be in love with the masterpiece # And I'm right by your side # Like a thief in the night # I stand in front of the masterpiece # And I can't tell you why # It hurts so much # To be in love with the masterpiece # Cos after all # Nothing's indestructible # Cos after all # Nothing's indestructible #