Photos: Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Tucson, 1959
For fans of the the Netflix series, "The Crown," Britain's Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936 to marry an American, Wallis Simpson) spent the better part of March, 1959, in Tucson with this wife, the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson). They arrived via train, the Southern Pacific Golden State Limited. A crowd of 500 greeted them at the historic Tucson depot, where they transferred to a Cadillac for the ride the Arizona Inn. They brought 49 pieces of luggage with them.
The pair took in Spring Training at Hi Corbett Field, a tour of Davis-Monthan AFB, and many dinners with guests at the Arizona Inn. From Tucson, they traveled to the Grand Canyon, then San Francisco, Los Angeles, and of course, Disneyland.
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Windsor at the Arizona Inn in Tucson in March, 1959.
Britain's Duke of Windsor wrangles their famous pugs at the Arizona Inn, Tucson, in March, 1959.
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Windsor talk with reporters at the Arizona Inn in Tucson in March, 1959.
Britain's Duke of Windsor under wing of a four-engine USAF aircraft during a tour of Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson in March, 1959.
Col. Robert H Amy, left, commander fo the 358th Bomb Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, shows survival equipment to Britain's Duke of Windsor during a tour of the base in March, 1959.
Britain's Duke of Windsor deplanes from a USAF plane during a tour of Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson in March, 1959.
Britain's Duke of Windsor ponders questions from reporters at the Arizona Inn,Tucson in March, 1959. "My favorite dish? Let me think. It's ice cream. Especially, pie a la mode," he said.
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Tucson in March, 1959.
Britain's Duchess of Windsor communicates with a pug at the Arizona Inn, Tucson, in March, 1959.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor