Edward VII, 1901-1910

Edward had many mistresses including: Nellie Clifden, Sarah Bernhardt, Mrs Alice Keppel, Lily Langtry and numerous others, all of whom his wife seemed to tolerate.

Edward was affectionately known as Bertie by his family, as he was christened Albert Edward, but did not want to use his father's name, insisting that there was only one Albert.

He had a very strict upbringing, but there were times when, as Prince Regent, he went wild. It is said that Queen Victoria would not speak to him for many years after the death of his father, whom she wrongly believed had collapsed and died as a result of Bertie telling him about his affair with a well known actress.

Queen Victoria would allow him no political influence at all and he resented this. When he came to the throne, he lived a self-obsessed life complete with many mistresses and self-indulgence.

Edward did change British Foreign policy, he gained the goodwill of France, and began active rearmament against the military upstart, whom he hated, Kaiser Wilhelm.

He was a true Tory and he had to watch the successful rise of the Labour Party and Lloyd George's Liberals.

King Edward VII died after an attack of bronchitis on the 6th May 1910 at Buckingham Palace, London at the age of 68. He is buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor, Berkshire, England.