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(or on the photo above)
The first conference of the Duke & Duchess of
Windsor Society will be a 2-1/2 day extravaganza at the magnificent resort, the Hotel del Coronado, in San Diego. This area was home to a very young Mrs. Earl Winfield Spencer who lived on Coronado Island in the early twenties, while her husband, Lieutenant Commander Spencer, was establishing the nation’s first naval air base. Legend holds that Wallis actually met the Prince of Wales for the first time here at the Hotel del Coronado when he visited San Diego on his Pacific Tour in 1921.

Come share a wonderful weekend getaway with other
individuals who are interested in WE. Join us for a tour of Wallis’ homes (including the Windsor Cottage on the grounds of the Hotel), special guest speakers, Wallis and Edward memorabilia exhibitions, auctions and art sale, and member participation sessions.

The Duke & Duchess of Windsor Society
The organization has been in existence for over two decades. And during that time members have never had a formal get-together. That will change when the first conference since the organization began will be held in October 10-12, 2008 in San Diego. This will, hopefully, be the inaugural event of future conferences to be held in many of the Windsors’ haunts around the world (Washington DC, New York, Nassau Bahamas, London/UK, Paris/France, Queen Mary2).

This conference’s program is designed to provide a weekend getaway full of Windsor lore and sharing at one of the most beautiful resorts in the world....and former home of a young Wallis Warfield Spencer in the early twenties.

If you want to bring your spouse, partner and/or family along there is plenty to keep them entertained at the Hotel del Coronado while you’re in “Windsor Wonderland,” including golfing, swimming, spa-ing, beach lounging, and surfing.

As a National Historic Landmark, the Hotel del Coronado has a rich and colorful heritage that sets it apart from other San Diego hotels. From Marilyn Monroe to the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) and Charles Lindbergh, from state dinners to the ghost of Kate Morgan, The Del is an American treasure with more than 115 years of fascinating stories to tell. And we will be telling some of the most fascinating of them throughout the two day event.

The conference is scheduled to allow for easy travel on Friday into San Diego. The 2-1/2 day event includes accommodations at the Hotel del Coronado at a discounted rate for this conference. In addition, your conference fees will include some of your meals. This is a rare opportunity not only to stay at one of the most amazing resorts in the world, but to spend a weekend in the company of other’s who share your interest in the Duke& Duchess. The latter, is a most rare occurrence, indeed.

Escape for a fun weekend learning experience about Wallis, Edward, the Hotel Del Coronado & San Diego history...in paradise!




For more information on the Hotel del Coronado, please click on the photo or here

This event is designed to provide a fun learning experience and allow attendees to discover the local historical importance of San Diego during the period that Wallis lived in this idyllic community. Historians from the hotel will provide an overview of the hotel and the island’s history.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Featured Speaker: Society Member Hugo Vickers, historian/biographer (The Private World of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor) and the upcoming Behind Closed Doors: The Life and Death of the Duchess of Windsor, with book-signing
  
  
  
  
• Society Member, The Very Reverend James Leo, former dean of the American Cathedral in Paris was the Duchess of Windsor’s vicar for the last years of her life. Dean Leo attended at her death as well as her burial at Frogmore. Dean Leo wrote about his experiences in a book titled, Exits and Entrances. Book-signing to follow
  
  
  
• Society Member Richard René Silvin was the Hospital Administrator for the American Hospital in Paris in the early 70’s and was friends with the Duchess of Windsor, who was a on the hospital's Board of Governors. Silvin is the author of two memoirs, Walking the Rainbow and I Survived Swiss Boarding Schools and is currently working on another memoir, Nobless Oblige, which will cover his friendship with the Duchess
  
  
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• Society Member, Lena Farugia, South African-based actress and playwright will be performing scenes from her Duchess of Windsor play, Untitled, which was recently staged in London at the Farnborough Theater. Question and answer session with the actress/playwright.
  
  
  
  
• The research and writings of Dr. Benjamin Sacks, who wrote a very important article uncovering the veracity • of the legend that the Duke and Duchess actually met years before in Coronado while Wallis was a young Mrs. Winfield Spencer living in San Diego at the time of Edward, Prince of Wales visit. Also, previously unpublished research material by Dr. Sacks about Wallis’s time in Coronado
  
  
• Tour of Wallis homes in San Diego and Coronado Island/Highlights of history of Coronado Island, the nation’s first Naval air base, the Hotel del Coronado
  
  
• A Windsor Gala: Seated multi-course dinner prepared by the chef at the Hotel del Coronado using the menu that was served to the Prince of Wales when he visited in 1920. Dinner will be in the Coronet Room, the same location that Edward dined. A cocktail party followed by the performance by Lena Farugia will start the evening. Dessert entertainment will include select songs from the new Windsor musical, Wallis & Edward: The Love Story of the Century? Book, lyrics and some music by Erv Raible, longtime director/coach on Broadway and Cabaret and the Executive Director of the Interational Confernce of Cabaret at Yale University. Noted musical director Shelly Markham will be accompniest and a performer along with Chicago singer/actress Jillann Gabrielle.
  
• Interaction and discussion with other Society members in a variety of formal and informal settings
  
  
• Windsor-themed art sales & member auction/sales of items
  
  
• The beauty of the premier Hotel del Coronado and its magnificent beach setting
  
  Click here to open the Conference brochure via pd
  
  Conference Fees (Society members)
  Conference Fees/attendee $285.00
  Hotel audio visual costs, Conference materials, Transportation (for local tour), speaker expenses and other administrative costs.
  
  These fees are prorated among each attendee. This price per person assumes that only 25 people attend. If more than 25 individuals attend then the price will decrease for each member as costs will be spread among more people. In addition, if some of these costs are underwritten then the conference fees will be reduced. These fees are also subject to change as a result of additions or eliminations to the schedule.
  
  Event Meals/beverages Fees
  Event Meals/beverages/attendee (includes): $385.00†† (includes tips and taxes)
  
  • A Windsor Affaire (Cocktail hour followed by performance by Lena Farugia of excerpts from UNTITLED. Seated dinner following with a Wallis & Edward-themed menu)
  
  • Refreshments and lunch (Saturday & Sunday)
  
  ††The two cocktail parties on Friday and Saturday night will be a no-host bar

Optional dinner Friday night/attendee (estimated) $80.00 (includes tips and taxes)

Hotel Rates/Fees per night

These rates are being extended to the Society for this event. If you choose to stay additional nights, group rates are available and will be extended based on availability
*Two guests per room. Each additional person over two is $25
+Additional accommodations (suites) are subject to availability. For specific prices and availability, please contact the Hotel directly at 800-HOTELDEL
‡The resort charge includes the following amenities: High Speed Internet access, in-room coffee and tea, daily newspaper delivery, unlimited local calls, access to Fitness Center and classes

A 90% room deposit is required for reservation. To reserve your space at the conference, please click here.




To REGISTER for the conference, please click here
(or on the photo above)