In May 1936, an extraordinary resident arrived in Wimbledon. Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, took up residence at Fairways, a house on Parkside, after being forced into exile by the Italian invasion of his homeland.
The Flight from Ethiopia
The Second Italo-Ethiopian War began on 3 October 1935 when Italian forces under Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. Despite fierce resistance, the Ethiopian army could not withstand the advanced weaponry and poison gas deployed by Italian troops. On 2 May 1936, Haile Selassie fled Addis Ababa by train, travelling first to Djibouti and then by sea to the United Kingdom. Just days later, on 5 May 1936, Italian forces captured the Ethiopian capital.
A Residence on Parkside
Haile Selassie found temporary refuge at Fairways, 28 Parkside, Wimbledon. The property was owned by John Wylde, a Scottish businessman who offered the Emperor accommodation during this difficult period. Wimbledon, with its leafy streets and relative privacy, provided a quiet setting for a monarch who had lost his throne.
The house sits on Parkside, a broad avenue running alongside Wimbledon Common. This location would have offered the Emperor space to walk and some measure of seclusion from public attention, whilst still allowing him to travel easily to central London for diplomatic purposes.
Diplomatic Efforts in Exile
During his time in Wimbledon, Haile Selassie continued his campaign to secure international support for Ethiopia. The most significant moment came on 30 June 1936, when he addressed the League of Nations in Geneva. His speech warned the assembly that the principle of collective security was at risk and cautioned that other nations might soon face similar aggression. The address became one of the most famous speeches in the history of the League.
Between diplomatic engagements, the Emperor remained at his Wimbledon residence. Local residents would have seen this distinguished figure, often dressed in military uniform, passing through their neighbourhood. The presence of an Emperor in suburban Wimbledon must have seemed remarkable to those living nearby.
The Road to Return
Haile Selassie remained in British exile until 1941. The outbreak of the Second World War and the East African campaign finally provided the opportunity for his return. British and Commonwealth forces, together with Ethiopian resistance fighters, defeated the Italian occupiers. On 5 May 1941, exactly five years after the Italian conquest, Haile Selassie re-entered Addis Ababa and resumed his throne.
A Wimbledon Legacy
The story of Haile Selassie's Wimbledon residence is a remarkable chapter in the area's history. For a brief period, this corner of south-west London served as home to an Emperor fighting to reclaim his kingdom. Fairways, 28 Parkside, stands as a reminder of this unusual connection between suburban London and international affairs.
Whilst the house itself is a private residence, its historical significance remains. The Emperor's stay illustrates how world events can touch even quiet suburban streets, and how Wimbledon once provided sanctuary to a monarch in exile.