Live Like (Disgraced) Royalty At The Surrey Hideaway Of The Duke & Duchess Of Windsor

While Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor might take the crown for the most disgraced royal of the 21st century, his present predicament has nothing on the scandal stirred up by King Edward VIII. Having insisted on marrying the divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson in spite of the backlash from the Palace and the Church, the never-to-be-coronated King forfeited the throne for love. Hiding out from the media storm surrounding his abdication at Great Westwood House, this historic Surrey property is now available to rent. 

Inside Great Westwood House

Edward – or David as he was born and best-known – first struck up a relationship with Wallis Simpson in 1931 when the American socialite was still married. During their clandestine courtship, the pair would sneak off to Hollyhock Island on The Thames to hide out at private property known as The Nest (though the house no longer exists, Hollyhock, and the adjoining Holm Island, came onto the market in 2025). 

Upon the death of his father King George V in 1936, the Duke of Windsor briefly ascended to the throne, ruling for less than a year (325 days to be precise) before his abdication. Despite hopes to marry Wallis Simpson and make her his Queen, his plans were foiled by the Church of England and their then harshly conservative stance of divorce. Choosing love over the crown, Edward abdicated in December 1936. His brother George took his place, and his daughter Lilibet (Queen Elizabeth II) followed.

The right-royal scandal threw Buckingham Palace, and the country, into a frenzy. Though not officially deported, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were effectively exiled from Britain and forced to live out the remainder of their days abroad, largely residing in France. But before they could make arrangements across the channel, they needed somewhere nearby to wait out the storm. Their shelter? Great Westwood House.

Owned by the Earl of Dudley, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were such frequent visitors to the estate that they got a bedroom suite named after them. Dating back to the 18th century, this 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom Grade II listed home is steeped in history. More recently, various alterations and additions have been made – including the dining room, the bow-fronted library and a suite of bedrooms of the first floor which were added in the 1950s. Among them is the Windsor Suite where the Duke and Duchess stayed throughout the 1960s, frequently joining the Earl of Dudley for shooting parties as recorded by the game books. 

Spanning over 11,600 sqft of living space, the grand entrance hall sets the tone for the residence, leading onto well-proportioned reception rooms, a formal drawing room, elegant dining room and richly appointed library, as well as a kitchen and family area. Downstairs, the cellar level offers a dedicated wine cellar, games room, and plant room.

The upper floors host seven bedrooms, including a principal suite with twin dressing rooms and an en suite bathroom. Several further bedrooms benefit from en-suite facilities and dressing areas, with other features including multiple studies and sitting rooms. 

Available to rent as a short let for £6,000 a week or £26,000 a month. Find out more at knightfrank.co.uk

Where Else Did The Duke & Duchess Of Windsor Live?

Fort Belvedere

Located in Great Park, Surrey, this Grade II* listed Gothic Revival country house was home to the Duke of Windsor from 1929 to 1936 – and the site where he signed his abdication papers. 

Château de la Croë 

The pair rented this French Riviera villa on the Cap d’Antibes from 1938 to 1950, during which time Winston and Clementine Churchill celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary here with the Windsors in 1948.

Government House, Bahamas 

Following his abdication, the Duke of Windsor was appointed the Governor of the Bahamas from 1940 to 1945 – a strategic move from Winston Churchill to keep the pro-Nazi Duke away from Europe during WWII. 

Waldorf Astoria

Their New York base, the Duke and Duchess spent much of their time in the States at the famous Waldorf Astoria. They used a suite in the hotel’s Towers, often referred to as the Royal Suite, as their primary US residence between the 1940s and the 1960s.

85 Rue de la Faisanderie

The first of their two Paris homes, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor lived here from 1949 until they made the move to the more famous Villa Windsor in 1953.

Le Moulin de la Tuilerie

The only property the couple ever owned, this 18th century country retreat is located to the south-west of Paris, near Gif-sur-Yvette. Best-known for the lavish parties hosted there, famous guests include Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Cecil Beaton. 

Villa Windsor

Located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, within the Bois de Boulogne, this 19th-century mansion was the main Paris residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor until the Duke’s death in 1971. 

Find out more about their homes here.