EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A.L.S., David, and again with his initial D at the conclusion of a postscript, two pages, 4to, Ottawa, 28th & 29th August 1919, to his mistress Freda Dudley Ward ('My very own darling beloved little Fredie Wedie'), on the printed stationery of Government House. Writing in pencil, the Prince of Wales informs his lover that he reached Ottawa 'after a pompous arrival & presentation of addresses' to find a letter from her waiting for him, continuing to refer to her recent trip to Scarborough and a meeting with Mrs. Shaughnessy, 'I know her so little but she's certainly a divine woman all I've seen of her & so sympathetic & I'm so glad we had those 2 little "parties a quatre" before Legh and I went away as it has established a great bond between him & me & makes such a difference!! He heard from Mrs. S. to-day….she wants him to go down….to see her this week end & I've told him to go tho I fear he won't!!....He does love that woman so madly!! He's almost as desparately & pathetically in love as your little boy is sweetheart tho' that isn't possible!!', further mentioning the sale of his car ('I'm cabling home to find out the exact price Barker gave me as I can't remember exactly, so typical of me….') and a party at a Country Club which he has just returned from and which he found better than others, 'not better on account of the women darling as they were as plain as usual but the dinner & supper were wet & then we danced out of doors on canvas stretched on a bowling green which made a good floor & it was nicely lit up!!', also commenting on a garden party which 'meant shaking hands with over 1000 people again. My poor right hand was so sore & bruised after Toronto but it's worse than ever now' and reflecting 'but I'm rather a wreck altogether angel as besides being worked to death physically I'm always worrying my head off about everything & have become the completist pack of nerves & live on them entirely!! It's all such a strain & it's very wearing having to pull oneself together & face & address huge crowds several times a day besides the many set speeches I have to produce'. The Prince concludes his letter in French 'Bonne nuit et au revoir Fredie petite amour Cherie; tou petit David, t'aime et t'adore le plus en plus' and also writes in a postscript 'this long separation is absolutely cruelty to a child!!....Blesss you, bless you & God keep you safe. Take the very greatest care of your sweet precious darling little self tho. I trust Mr. Thpider, who sends his love to Mrs. Thpider….Forgot to tell you that I heard from Bertie [his brother, the future King George VI] last mail & he gave me news of you!' Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed in ink by the Prince and bearing a black wax seal to the verso. VG


Freda Dudley Ward (1894-1983) Marquesa de Casa Maury. English Socialite, the mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales from 1918-23. Ward remained a close confidante of Edward's until 1934 when his relationship with Wallis