Object of the Week: Wallis Simpson's nightdress at the Allhallows Museum of Lace in Honiton

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Discovering museum collections the length and breadth of Britain, we bring you Culture24's first Museum Object of the Week: The full-length gown and capalet of Wallis Simpson

This scarlet chiffon nightdress, capelet and full length cape appliquéd with Victorian Honiton lace flower sprays was once owned by Wallis Simpson –  the twice-divorced American who scandalised Britain when King Edward abdicated the throne in December 1936 so that he could marry her.

Edward announced in a radio broadcast that "I have found it impossible…to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love."

The King's younger brother unexpectedly became King George VI.

Commenting on her sense of style, the Duchess once wrote: "My husband gave up everything for me...I'm not a beautiful woman. I'm nothing to look at, so the only thing I can do is dress better than anyone else.”

The contents of the home (including these items) of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor on the Bois de Bologne in Paris were bought by former Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed when the Duchess died in 1986.

Much of it was sold in 1998. But some items were held back and later donated to the Dodi International Charitable Foundation which was set up in memory of his son who died with the Princess of Wales in the 1997 Paris car crash.

Allhallows Museum purchased the items at auction in March 2011.

• You can see the nightie at the Allhallows Museum of Lace and Antiquities.

Pics: Allhallows Museum, Honiton

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/art530194-object-of-the-week-wallis-simpson-dress-at-the-allhallows-museum-of-lace-in-honiton