Madonna Defends Herself at London Premiere of 'W.E.'

LONDON - It's not exactly the welcome the superstar Material Girl was hoping for. Madonna was booed by fans at the BFI London Film Festival premiere of W.E., but managed to shrug off the response, saying that like Wallis Simpson, she too was "misunderstood."

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Fans who had queued for hours in London's Leicester Square for the chance of seeing Madonna jeered and booed her after she only stopped to talk to a handful before entering the theater.

Wearing a fitted black three-quarter length dress with a snaking diamante pattern, Madonna did a few red carpet interviews and spoke to some waiting fans before entering the screening.

The film, which has already been shown at the Venice Film Festival, has received mixed reviews. The story of Wallis Simpson, who sensationally caused the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1937, is told through the story of a modern character, who becomes increasingly obsessed with the American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor.

"I do know what it is like to be misunderstood on a global scale," Madonna told Sky News as crowds booed around her. The singer said she had made the film because she had become drawn to the nature of the relationship between Simpson and the Duke of Windsor.

"I think it's just fascinating to try and understand the nature of their relationship and why a man of that power would give up his throne for her."

Asked whether she identified with Wallis Simpson, Madonna said the Duchess had not been able to express herself because of the mores of the times.

"She lived at a time when women didn't have the opportunities that they do now. She [Wallis] didn't have the chance to defend herself so I'm taking that opportunity now."