American History: Premier Auction

Lot of 18 photographs, ranging in size from 3.375 x 3.5 in. to 6.75 x 3.5 in., matted individually or in groups to 14.5 x 18.5 in., documenting the wartime visit of His Royal Highness, Edward VIII (1894-1972), Prince of Wales (later King of England and Duke of Windsor) to Italy in 1918. Most of the photographs show the Prince in uniform, captured in conversation with diplomats and fellow officers or participating in military ceremonies. Among his companions in these photographs are Sir Rennell Rodd, the British Ambassador; Geoffrey Scott, Press Attaché; Lieutenant-General Lord Cavan; Captain Lord Claud Hamilton; Italian General Armando Diaz; Captain Lord Stanley; and King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele III.

As the heir to the throne, Edward’s role in World War I was non-combatant, and he was even forbidden to travel overseas at the outbreak. Later in 1914, however, he was permitted to join the staff of Field Marshal Sir John French in France, though his duties in this capacity consisted primarily of official visits, troop inspections, and the reception of guests at the British Expeditionary Forces General Headquarters. In the spring of 1916, the Prince joined the staff of the XIV Corps, journeying first to Ypres in 1917, then Italy, where he remained from November 1917 through the summer of 1918. While there, Edward spent time in Rome and different regions in the North, where he partook in numerous official engagements, including a ceremony honoring Italian soldiers led by their King. Also included in this lot are four contemporaneous photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Aosta with their eldest son, Amedeo, and their dog.

These photographs were offered at auction as Lot 1453 in Sotheby’s landmark sale of property from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, September 11-19, 1997.