Edward Charles Williams (London 1807-1881)

From the estate of Miss Fairlie Edith Mary Hopkin (1915-2015), legal secretary and personal assistant to Sir George Allen since 1930 when he founded Allen & Overy solicitors in London. Sir George was private solicitor to King Edward VIII and, along with Churchill and Beaverbrook, was instrumental in persuading the King to address the nation directly during the abdication crisis in 1936 - later becoming the Duke of Windsor. Upon Sir George’s death in 1956, Fairlie received a telegram ‘We are distressed over Sir George’s death and send you our sympathy and understanding at this sad time - Duke and Duchess of Windsor’