In the hours before his farewell speech to his nation in which Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to “marry the woman I love,” a little Cairn Terrier was constantly at his heels, perhaps sensing tension in his owner. When a group of the King’s aides gathered to say their goodbyes, the little dog named, “Slipper,” became disquieted to the point that David (Edward VIII’s name at home)  had to reassure him: “Of course you are coming with me, Slipper, but you cannot come to this family dinner,” (referring to the farewell meal he was having with his mother, Queen Mary, his sister, the Princess Royal, and his three brothers including Bertie, who would become King George VI the next day).

“Slipper,” a brindled gray, had been a Christmas present from David Edward to Wallis in 1934. Unfortunately, an issue with housebreaking (something that seemed to be an issue with most of the Windsor’s dogs) earned “Slipper” the nickname, “Mr. Loo.” Still, when the relationship between Wallace Simpson and Edward caused a national crisis, Wallace escaped to France, and David sent “Slipper” to her shortly after to give her comfort.

Slipper’s gravestone

Sadly, “Slipper” was bitten by a viper while chasing rabbits with a Scottish Terrier belonging to the person with whom Wallace was staying.  As a momento, David, as the Duke of Windsor (his new title) had a diamond encrusted slipper embedded in a medallion which was later displayed at their home in the Bois de Boulogne.  We’re still on the hunt for a photo of that medallion.