Wallis Simpson remains a controversial figure in British history, often painted as the American socialite who caused a royal crisis. Among the most persistent stories about her is the so-called “China Dossier,” which allegedly documented scandalous behavior during her time in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing between 1924 and 1925. Many historians now dismiss the dossier as a smear campaign, filled with rumors of opium addiction, illicit affairs, and risqué exploits—claims that have never been substantiated.
British author and historian Paul French sought to reexamine this period in Simpson’s life through a more objective lens, leading to his book Her Lotus Year: China, the Roaring Twenties and the Making of Wallis Simpson. His research presents a different image—one of a strong, independent woman navigating a tumultuous era in China rather than a reckless socialite losing herself in excess.
Simpson arrived in Hong Kong in late 1924 to reconcile with her estranged husband, Win Spencer, a U.S. Navy officer known for heavy drinking and abusive tendencies. Hoping for a quick divorce, she traveled alone to Shanghai—a bold move given the political unrest and pirate-infested waters she had to cross. Though she was unable to obtain the divorce, she became captivated by Shanghai’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, finding it more stimulating than the rigid colonial circles of Hong Kong.
Far from leading a life of debauchery, she embraced Shanghai’s vibrant social scene, enjoying champagne and card games but never engaging in the scandalous activities described in the infamous dossier. French dismisses several widely circulated rumors, including claims that she posed for nude photographs taken by hotelier Victor Sassoon or that she had an affair with Italian diplomat Galeazzo Ciano, resulting in a botched abortion. Ciano was never in China at the same time as Simpson, with the supposed affair being a case of mistaken identity.
Her time in China influenced her sense of style, as she adopted elements of Chinese fashion over the Western “flapper” look. She collected jade jewelry, silk screens, and lacquerware, which she later brought with her to London and Paris.
By 1925, worsening political unrest, including violent clashes in Shanghai, combined with personal motivations, led Simpson to return to the U.S. to finalize her divorce. She later referred to this chapter of her life as her “lotus year,” drawing from Homer’s Odyssey—a period of escape before returning to face reality.
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