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Edward VII of the United Kingdom, King of the United Kingdom, was born 9 November 1841 in Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom to Albert von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (1819-1861) and Victoria of the United Kingdom (1819-1901) and died 6 May 1910 Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom of bronchitis. He married Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) 10 March 1863 in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom.

Biography

King Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He became King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India on January 22, 1901, following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.

Edward was known for his social and diplomatic skills and played an important role in the development of modern Britain. During his reign, the country went through significant changes, including the rise of the Labour Party and the beginning of the women's suffrage movement.

Before his ascension to the throne, Edward held a number of official positions in the military and government. He served as the Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne, from 1841 until 1901, and during this time, he travelled extensively, representing his mother, Queen Victoria, at important events both at home and abroad.

Despite his reputation as a socialite, Edward was also an advocate for modernizing the British military and played an important role in the Second Boer War. He was also responsible for improving Anglo-French relations and helping to create the Entente Cordiale between the two countries.

King Edward VII was married to Alexandra of Denmark and had six children, including King George V. He died on May 6, 1910, at Buckingham Palace, at the age of 68, after suffering a series of heart attacks.

Edward was succeeded by his son, King George V, and is remembered as a popular and respected monarch who played an important role in shaping modern Britain.

Family Life

Marriage

William Powell Frith - The Marriage of the Prince of Wales, 10 March 1863

The marriage of the Prince of Wales with Princess Alexandra of Denmark, Windsor, 10 March 1863

Once widowed, Queen Victoria effectively withdrew from public life. Shortly after Prince Albert's death, she arranged for Edward to embark on an extensive tour of the Middle East, visiting Egypt, Jerusalem, Damascus, Beirut and Istanbul.[1] The British Government wanted Edward to secure the friendship of Egypt's ruler, Said Pasha, to prevent French control of the Suez Canal if the Ottoman Empire collapsed. It was the first royal tour on which an official photographer, Francis Bedford, was in attendance. As soon as Edward returned to Britain, preparations were made for his engagement, which was sealed at Laeken in Belgium on 9 September 1862.[2] Edward married Alexandra of Denmark at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 10 March 1863. He was 21; she was 18.

Wedding of Albert Edward Prince of Wales and Alexandra of Denmark 1863

Edward and Alexandra on their wedding day, 1863

The couple established Marlborough House as their London residence and Sandringham House in Norfolk as their country retreat. They entertained on a lavish scale. Their marriage met with disapproval in certain circles because most of Queen Victoria's relations were German, and Denmark was at loggerheads with Germany over the territories of Schleswig and Holstein. When Alexandra's father inherited the throne of Denmark in November 1863, the German Confederation took the opportunity to invade and annex Schleswig-Holstein. The Queen was of two minds as to whether it was a suitable match, given the political climate.[3] After the marriage, she expressed anxiety about their socialite lifestyle and attempted to dictate to them on various matters, including the names of their children.[4]

London Bridge on the Night of the Marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales

London Bridge on the Night of the Marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, by William Holman Hunt (1864)

  1. Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (1864-1892) - died age 28, engaged 1891, to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck
  2. George V of the United Kingdom (1865-1936) - Successors as King of the United Kingdom. Married in 1893, Princess Victoria Mary of Teck; had issue including Edward VIII and George VI
  3. Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, Princess Royal (1867-1941) - 1889, Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife; had issue
  4. Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary of the United Kingdom (1868-1935) - never married, no issue
  5. Maud of Wales (1869-1938) - 1896, Prince Carl of Denmark (King of Norway as Haakon VII from 1905); had issue including Prince Alexander (later Olav V)
  6. Alexander John Charles Albert of Wales (1871-1871) - born and died at Sandringham House after just 1 day.


Children


Offspring of Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (1864-1892) 8 January 1864 Frogmore House, Windsor, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom 14 January 1892 Sandringham House, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
George V of the United Kingdom (1865-1936) 3 June 1865 Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom 20 January 1936 Sandringham, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom Victoria Mary of Teck (1867-1953)
Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, Princess Royal (1867-1941) 20 February 1867 Marlborough House, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 4 January 1931 Portman Square, Marylebone, Greater London, England, United Kingdom Alexander William George Duff, 1st Duke of Fife (1849-1912)
Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary of the United Kingdom (1868-1935) 6 July 1868 Marlborough House, Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 3 December 1935 Coppins, Iver, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
Maud of Wales (1869-1938) 26 November 1869 London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 20 November 1938 London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom Haakon VII of Norway (1872-1957)
Alexander John Charles Albert of Wales (1871-1871)



Siblings


Offspring of Albert von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (1819-1861) and Victoria of the United Kingdom (1819-1901)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Victoria, Princess Royal of the United Kingdom (1840-1901) 21 November 1840 Buckingham Palace, London 5 August 1901 Friedrich III., Deutscher Kaiser (1831-1888)
Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1841-1910) 9 November 1841 Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom 6 May 1910 Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925)
Alice of the United Kingdom (1843-1878) 25 April 1843 Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom 14 December 1878 Darmstadt, Germany Ludwig IV. von Hessen und bei Rhein (1837-1892)
Alfred von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (1844-1900) 6 August 1844 Windsor, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom 30 July 1900 Coburg, Bavaria, Germany Marie of Russia (1853-1920)
Helena Augusta Victoria of the United Kingdom (1846-1923) 25 May 1846 Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 9 June 1923 Schomberg House, Pall Mall, Greater London, England, United Kingdom Christian von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1831-1917)
Louise Caroline Alberta of the United Kingdom (1848-1939) 18 March 1848 Buckingham Palace, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 3 December 1939 Kensington Palace, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll (1845-1914)
Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850-1942) 1 May 1850 London, England, United Kingdom 16 January 1942 Bagshot, Surrey, England, United Kingdom Luise Margarete von Preußen (1860-1917)
Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853-1884) 7 April 1853 London 28 March 1884 Cannes Helena von Waldeck-Pyrmont (1861-1922)
Beatrice of the United Kingdom (1857-1944) 14 April 1857 Buckingham Palace, London, England, United Kingdom 26 October 1944 Brantridge Park, Balcombe, England, United Kingdom Heinrich Moritz von Battenberg (1858-1896)


See Also

Bibliography

External Links

Ancestry Trees

Royal Succession Charts

Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
Cadet branch of the House of Wettin
Born: 9 November 1841 Died: 6 May 1910
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Victoria
King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions
Emperor of India

22 January 1901 – 6 May 1910
Succeeded by
George V
British royaltyWp globe tiny
Vacant
Title last held by
George (IV)
Prince of Wales
Duke of Cornwall
Duke of Rothesay

1841–1901
Succeeded by
George (V)
Military offices
Preceded by
The Earl Beauchamp
Colonel of the 10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
1863–1901
Succeeded by
Lord Ralph Drury Kerr
Freemasonry offices
Preceded by
The Marquess of Ripon
Grand Master of the United
Grand Lodge of England

1874–1901
Succeeded by
The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Honorary titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Albert, Prince Consort
Great Master of the Bath
1897–1901
Succeeded by
The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn

References

  1. ^ Bentley-Cranch, pp. 40–42
  2. ^ Bentley-Cranch, p. 44; Ridley, p. 72
  3. ^ Middlemas, p. 35; Ridley, p. 83
  4. ^ Ridley, pp. 85, 87, 93, 104


Footnotes (including sources)

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