Villa Windsor, the French villa of former British King Edward VIII, who scandalised British society after abdicating in 1936, will open to the public for the first time, according to CNN.
Set in gardens stretching to 1.5 hectares, the 14-room mansion was where King Edward VIII lived out his later life with his American wife, Wallis Simpson.
The couple lived in the palace until their death, the duke in 1972 and the duchess in 1986. Shortly before his death, Queen Elizabeth II and her son Charles paid a visit to the former king in the villa.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the Villa
This house has never been open to the public before, Albéric de Montgolfier, president of the charitable organisation Fondation Mansart said, as he outlined plans to update the property in time for the Olympics in the summer of 2024.
The villa was built in 1928 and has been owned by the city of Paris and leased to the family of Mohamed Al-Fayed.
In 1944, exiled General Charles de Gaulle moved in the villa with family, following the liberation of Paris for two years.
“It was a very interesting period because lots of France’s laws were signed there, including the one giving French women the right to vote,” said Montgolfier.
Following the Duchess of Windor’s death, Al Fayed took over the lease of the villa.
Bedroom inside the villa
“Al Fayed originally intended it as a home for his son Dodi and had planned an engagement lunch there for Dodi and Diana,” said Montgolfier.
According to Montgolfier, Al Fayed gave the villa back to the city of Paris four years ago.
Work on the villa is expected to take up to a year or more, which will include new heating system and measures that will ensure it meets the 21st century standards in terms of health and safety.
