MRS SIMPSON WILL HAVE TITLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20674, 12 March 1937, Page 11

MRS SIMPSON WILL HAVE TITLE

"DUCHESS OF WINDSOR” QUESTION OF COURT PRECEDENCE LONDON, February 13. There is still a great deal of discussion about the title and dignity to be assumed by Mrs Simpson on her marriage to the Duke of Windsor. It seems clear, however, that she will, by right of marriage, become her Royal Highness the Duchess of Windsor.

The position has been explained by an authority as follows:

The Duke of Windsor was bom his Royal Highness Prince Edward, and will always remain so, such right being unaffected by his renunciation of the Throne.

It will be remembered that when he made his farewell broadcast, before the title ot Duke of Windsor had been conferred upon him, he was introduced as “His Royal Highness . Prince Edward.”

He might, had he chosen, have declined the Dukedom, and been known as Mr Edward Windsor, but he would still have remained for all formal purposes his Royal Highness Prince Edward. The title conferred on him in December made him. therefore, his Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor, and the lady whom he marries becomes naturally her Royal Highness the Duchess of Windsor. The question of precedence of the Duchess is one for future consideration. Rights and Privileges As elder brother of the Sovereign, the Duke would normally come next to the King: his wife could come after Princess Elizabeth. But the Duke of Gloucester is, in effect, carrying out the duties of heir to the Throne, and It might be thought desirable to grant him the order next in male precedence to the Sovereign. Particular considerations affecting the personal position of Mrs Simpson would have to be discussed before any decision whether she would receive all the rights and privileges of a Royal Duchess was reached. Such decision would be governed in part by certain traditions of the Court as to those who are received there. Divorce is generally frowned upon.

The privileges of a Royal Duchess including the signing of her Christian name without suffix, the salutation “Ma'am,” the receiving of a curtsey from those who come before her. and the wearing of a purple vefret gown on State occasions.