Prince of Wales is Red Cap for Fair American

August 1, 1934

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports that the Prince of Wales has left Paris for Biarritz, "with an air of mystery and entertainment." Just before the train pulled out of the station, the Prince grabbed a heavy bag, "on which was lettered the name Mrs. Simpson, hefted it into the next compartment, and received an intimate 'thank you,' Sir.'" The heir to the British throne replied with a smile.
Reporters were eager to find out more about the American, who is believed to be traveling with the royal party. On August 21, the paper reports that the "fashionable crowd at Biarritz is talking of nothing but the Prince of Wales and the mysterious American woman who is his constant companion." The only thing known about her is her name: Mrs. Simpson.
In Cannes, on September 12, the Prince of Wales delighted "hundreds of onlookers" when he danced the rumba with "an American woman identified as Mrs. Simpson." The Daily Tribune was at the forefront of uncovering information about mysterious American. So much so that on September 27, 1934, the newspaper reported that the paper received a phone call from a French newspaper editor saying that the British foreign office asked to request that the Tribune "not print so many stories about Mrs. Simpson, the attractive American woman" with whom the Prince is frequently seen dancing. "Such news is described as being unpleasant to the British and the French feel embarrassed on account of the prince having been their guest."

Me thinks this is not going end well.