As Wallis Simpson was totally infatuated with Kenneth Jay Lane’s jewelry designs, he was granted carte blanche to reproduce her beautiful, and often outrageous jewelry. Wallis Simpson was the Duchess of Windsor, and the wife of King Edward VIII (King of Great Britain and Ireland: after abdicating the throne was known as the Duke of Windsor). The King was very generous with his gifts of jewelry to Wallis, and they were SO in love. A little history of the original piece: while the Duke and Duchess were visiting the Early of Dudley at his home, the Ednam Lodge, many of her jewels were stolen. This was in October of 1946, and the story made world headlines. One of the pieces stolen was the Duchess’ beloved flamingo brooch. The Duke commissioned Cartier to make this flamingo done in diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.