Edward VII - King of United Kingdom, Timeline and Life

King Edward VII was born as Albert Edward to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, on November 9, 1841 in Buckingham Palace. He was popularly known by his nickname Bertie.

Being the eldest son of the royal family, he automatically gained the titles, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. He succeeded his father as Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony. Other titles held by him include Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, Earl of Dublin, Knight of the Garter and the Thistle.

Young Edward spent much of his early life meeting the unrealistic expectations of his parents for his ideal academic career. Following a rigorous educational routine, he matriculated from Christ Church, Oxford, in 1859.

Completing his preliminary education, he gained admission at Trinity College, Cambridge. It was at Cambridge that he enjoyed academic studies, excelling at Modern History taught by Charles Kingsley. Unlike his sister Victoria who was academically proficient, Edward was instead a charmer, with a friendly disposition.

Edward wanted to pursue a career in military but his mother vetoed the idea. Nevertheless, he joined the army and within a short period moved up the ladder to serve as the lieutenant colonel.

In 1861, Edward, despite being engaged to Princess Alexandra, was involved in a scandalous love affair with actress Nellie Clifton. Distraught by his playboy ways, his father passed away. Queen Victoria, who was deeply in remorse, blamed Edward for the death of his father.

Following the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria went into a perpetual state of mourning. She retreated herself from public life. Though Edward was allowed to represent her on state occasions, he wasn’t allowed to participate in the affairs of state.

With no political duties to carry, Edward became increasingly involved in wasteful activities. He became a leader of the London society and spent much of his time eating, drinking, gambling, shooting, racing and sailing.

In 1871, a brush with death improved his relations with the public as well as his mother, Queen Victoria. From the mid-1870s, Edward embarked on a tour to India. The tour was highly successful and upon his return, Queen Victoria received the title of Empress of India.

Following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, Edward took over as the King of United Kingdom, Emperor of India and King of the British Dominions. He preferred to be called King Edward VII instead of King Albert Edward.

He was crowned in August 1902. Same year, he founded the Order of Merit, to reward people who made distinguished contribution in art and science.

With his effervescent attitude and friendly disposition, King Edward VII gave a new sense of energy and enthusiasm to the monarchy, which had been missing long since his father’s death in 1861. The once-gloomy dominion, upon his accession revelled with a new verve and spirit.

During his reign, King Edward’s main attention lay in foreign affairs, navy and military matters. His fluency in French and German helped him in his foreign trips where he secured much success.

He shuttled across Europe, meeting major heads of state and assisting in foreign policy negotiations. It was due to him that the Triple Entente Cordiale between Britain, France and Russia was signed in 1904. The entente marked an end to the Anglo-French rivalry and played a major role in World War I.

During his kingship, King Edward VII travelled widely. He was the first British reigning monarch to visit Russia and the first British monarch to visit Sweden.

Following the Boer War, King Edward involved himself with the reformation of the military. He not just redesigned the army command but also enforced the creation of Territorial Force. He also pressed for an army medical service and for the building of the modern Dreadnought battleships. A reformation of the Royal Navy was also suggested.

During the latter phase of his life, King Edward was involved in constitutional crisis. The People’s Budget presented by Liberal Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith was rejected by Conservative Lords. Eventually, class warfare broke out in the parliament which was finally resolved posthumously. A Parliament Act was passed which removed Lords power to veto bills and also reduced the term of the Parliament from seven to five years.

During his reign, King Edward VII played an instrumental role in re-organizing the British Army and Navy following the Second Boer War. He redesigned the army command by creating a Territorial Force. He allowed for modernization of the British Home Fleet and suggested reformation of the Royal Navy as well.

King Edward VII was lauded as a ‘Peacemaker’, for helping foster good relations between Britain and France. His affable nature and friendly disposition helped Britain have good terms with other European nations as well.

Before and after accession to the throne, Edward carried several titles including His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, The Earl of Dublin, His Majesty The King and His Imperial Majesty The King-Emperor

He was bestowed with several British honors, including Knight of the Order of Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, Knight of the Order of the Thistle, Knight of the Order of St Patrick, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Great Master of the Order of the Bath.

He was made Fellow of the Royal Society and Member of the Privy Council of Ireland.

During his life, King Edward received VII a number of foreign honors as well. He was knighted by several countries including Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden, Prussia, Russia, Norway, Denmark and Ethopia.

Edward first met Princess Alexandra of Denmark in Germany 1861. The two hit it off from the start and were eventually married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on March 10, 1863. They had six children.

Edward was a casanova. Despite being married to Princess Alexandra, he had a long list of mistresses which gained him the reputation of a playboy. Strangely, Princess Alexandra was aware of many of his affairs and accepted them. He is said to have been a regular visitor to Parisian brothels.

King Edward VII was heavily involved in smoking. He smoked about 20 cigarettes and 12 cigars per day. This persistent habit led to rodent cancer which was eventually treated in 1907. However, due to the bad habit, he suffered from bronchitis.

In 1909, he momentarily lost consciousness during a state visit in Berlin. Following year, he collapsed in Biarritz. On April 27, 1910 he returned to Buckingham Palace from Biarritz after a period of convalesce.

On May 6, King Edward VII suffered from multiple strokes which eventually took his life later at night. He worked till the very end of his life, refusing to succumb to ill health. He was buried at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

This King of England was popularly known as the ‘Uncle of Europe’ as he was related to nearly every other European monarch at the time of his reign.