Sotheby’s says it is auctioning about 3 million pounds worth of jewelry once owned by Wallis Simpson, the American socialite who became Duchess of Windsor. Britain’s King Edward VIII, who renounced his claim to the British throne in 1936 to marry the divorcee, showered her with gifts of jewellery throughout their courtship and marriage. The pieces on sale include a Cartier heart-shaped emerald, ruby and diamond brooch commissioned in 1957 to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. A Cartier onyx and diamond panther bracelet (in photo) and a flamingo clip encrusted with multicolored jewels will also go under the hammer. The 20 lots are only a fraction of the original “Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor” collection, which was sold soon after Simpson’s death in 1986.
