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| Kaiser Wilhelm II, King George V, and The Duke of Connaught on horseback during the funeral procession of Edward VII May 10, 1910 |
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| Look-alikes Nicholas II of Russia and George V of England |
| XXX |
| Queen Victoria, and Albert with Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia wth their daughter Grand Duchess Olga c. 1896 |
| XXX |
| XXX |
| XXX |
| If the photo were to have been recreated exactly one hundred years later, in May 2010, with all heirs to the nine kings assembled and sitting or standing in the same places, the following individuals would have been required, in most cases no more than two generations removed: Standing, L-R: King Harald V of Norway (grandson of Haakon VII), King Simeon II of Bulgaria (grandson of Ferdinand I), Dom Duarte Duke of Braganza (third cousin once removed of Manuel II), Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia (great-great-grandson of Wilhelm II), King Constantine II of Greece (great-grandson of George I), King Albert II of Belgium (grandson of Albert I). Seated, L-R: King Juan Carlos I of Spain (grandson of Alfonso XIII), Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (granddaughter of George V), Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (great-granddaughter of Frederik VIII). |
The Nine Kings' Heirs a Century Later, in order of seniority: |
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A fortnight earlier, on May 6, 1910, the 68-year-old King
Edward VII had died after a nine-year reign. Known
invariably as Edward the Caresser or Edward the
Peacemaker, he had been “Uncle of Europe” — the
German Kaiser, the Russian Tsar, the Norwegian King,
and the Dukes of Hesse, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and
Brunswick were his nephews; his sisters married the
kings of Hellenes and Denmark respectively. Kings of
Belgium, Portugal and Bulgaria were his second cousins.
This grand royal family gathered in late May for Edward’s
funeral. There were twelve crowned heads and forty-
seven imperial, royal, apostolic, or serene highnesses. A
lone commoner was the former president Teddy
Roosevelt representing the United States, who was
allocated almost to the last of the procession. Preceding
Edward VII had died after a nine-year reign. Known
invariably as Edward the Caresser or Edward the
Peacemaker, he had been “Uncle of Europe” — the
German Kaiser, the Russian Tsar, the Norwegian King,
and the Dukes of Hesse, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and
Brunswick were his nephews; his sisters married the
kings of Hellenes and Denmark respectively. Kings of
Belgium, Portugal and Bulgaria were his second cousins.
This grand royal family gathered in late May for Edward’s
funeral. There were twelve crowned heads and forty-
seven imperial, royal, apostolic, or serene highnesses. A
lone commoner was the former president Teddy
Roosevelt representing the United States, who was
allocated almost to the last of the procession. Preceding
| XXXXX |
How Collier and Jim Solved the Puzzle |
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| Nine Kings at Buckingham Palace iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/nine-kings/ www.royaltymonarchy.com/sovereigns/9kings1910.html |
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| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
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| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
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| Quiz #395 Results |
| Answer to Quiz #396 - May 12, 2013 |
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| TinEye Alert You can find this photo on TinEye.com, but the quiz will be a lot more fun if you solve the puzzle on your own. |
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| Congratulations to Our Winners! Rebecca Bare Jackie McCarty Arthur Hartwell Marcelle Comeau Nancy Nalle-McKenzie Donna Jolley Carol Stansell Dennis Brann Justin Campoli Debbie Johnson Grace Hertz, Mary, and Jamey Turney of the Fletcher Clan Fame Dale Cheetham Kelly Fetherlin Collier Smith Daniel Jolley Janice M. Sellers Jim Kiser Nelsen Spickard Sharon Martin Janice M. Sellers Margaret L. Paxton Judy Pfaff Robert and Donald McKenna, QPL and Son |
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| The Funeral Cortege en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_of_Edward_VII |
| My method: I googled "nine princes" and got no pertinent results, so I thought, "well, maybe they are kings instead"..Sure enough, google-image for "nine kings" gives your image, the names and the occasion. Then, it's just a matter of tracking down each one on Wiki to see who was born last. I narrowed the search first by eliminating the older-looking gents. Added note: I suspect this might have been the last time so many kings were assembled. Collier Smith ***** The youngest was probably King Manuel II of Portegal as he was born in 1889. Too easy for me. I thought there were too many Royals for one family and I knew a lot of monarchs ended their reign around WWI so I googled "9 Royal's in one Photograph" and it was the first hit. Jim Kiser |
| The Funeral Procession Roosevelt in Eighth Carriage Lunches with King Afterward NY Times article May 21, 1910 Click here for pdf. |
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| King Edward VII |
him was the largest gathering of the European royals, but reinstated in 1975.
This was their last hurrah. Austria-Hungary was represented at the funeral by Archduke
Franz Ferdinand, who assassination four years later would precipitate a world war
which would sweep away many monarchies. Within five years, Britain and Belgium
would be at war with Germany and Bulgaria. Of the nine sovereigns pictured, four
would be deposed and one assassinated.A revolution overthrew the Portuguese king just
five months later. George of Greece had been assassinated in 1913 and his son
abdicated in 1922.
This photo of the decorated and mustachioed men was taken by the Royal Warrant
holders, W. & D. Downey. [It] very well may be the only photograph of nine reigning
kings ever taken. Only five of the nine monarchies represented still exist today:
Norway, Spain (thanks to a restoration after nearly half a century without a king), the
United Kingdom, Denmark, and Belgium. Oddly, the four sovereigns whose monarchies
would not survive the twentieth century (Bulgaria, Portugal, Germany, and Greece) all
stood together. It would not be possible to take a photograph of nine reigning European
kings today, as there are only seven kingdoms remaining, three of which are currently
headed by queens regnant.
The German Kaiser, the Austrian Emperor, and the Russian Tsar were all forced to
abdicate after losing the war. The Tsar and his family were killed by the Bolsheviks
after Britain and her king refused to rescue them (fearing a revolution at home).
Another losing combatant of the WWI, Ferdinand of Bulgaria abdicated in order to save
the throne for his son Boris. The kingdom tottered on in a weakened state until the
Second World War. Alfonso of Spain fled his country when the Second Spanish
Republic was proclaimed in 1931; his descendants still rule the country after the
monarchy was
This was their last hurrah. Austria-Hungary was represented at the funeral by Archduke
Franz Ferdinand, who assassination four years later would precipitate a world war
which would sweep away many monarchies. Within five years, Britain and Belgium
would be at war with Germany and Bulgaria. Of the nine sovereigns pictured, four
would be deposed and one assassinated.A revolution overthrew the Portuguese king just
five months later. George of Greece had been assassinated in 1913 and his son
abdicated in 1922.
This photo of the decorated and mustachioed men was taken by the Royal Warrant
holders, W. & D. Downey. [It] very well may be the only photograph of nine reigning
kings ever taken. Only five of the nine monarchies represented still exist today:
Norway, Spain (thanks to a restoration after nearly half a century without a king), the
United Kingdom, Denmark, and Belgium. Oddly, the four sovereigns whose monarchies
would not survive the twentieth century (Bulgaria, Portugal, Germany, and Greece) all
stood together. It would not be possible to take a photograph of nine reigning European
kings today, as there are only seven kingdoms remaining, three of which are currently
headed by queens regnant.
The German Kaiser, the Austrian Emperor, and the Russian Tsar were all forced to
abdicate after losing the war. The Tsar and his family were killed by the Bolsheviks
after Britain and her king refused to rescue them (fearing a revolution at home).
Another losing combatant of the WWI, Ferdinand of Bulgaria abdicated in order to save
the throne for his son Boris. The kingdom tottered on in a weakened state until the
Second World War. Alfonso of Spain fled his country when the Second Spanish
Republic was proclaimed in 1931; his descendants still rule the country after the
monarchy was
| ********** |
| ********** |
| ********** |
| King Edward VII en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII |
Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6
May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the
British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22
January 1901 until his death in 1910. He was the first
British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha, which was renamed the House of Windsor by
his son, George V.
Before his accession to the throne, he served as heir
apparent and held the title of Prince of Wales for longer
than any of his predecessors. During the long reign of
his mother, Queen Victoria, he was largely excluded
from political power and came to personify the
fashionable, leisured elite.
May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the
British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22
January 1901 until his death in 1910. He was the first
British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha, which was renamed the House of Windsor by
his son, George V.
Before his accession to the throne, he served as heir
apparent and held the title of Prince of Wales for longer
than any of his predecessors. During the long reign of
his mother, Queen Victoria, he was largely excluded
from political power and came to personify the
fashionable, leisured elite.
The Edwardian era, which covered Edward's reign and was named after him, coincided
with the start of a new century and heralded significant changes in technology and
society, including powered flight and the rise of socialism. Edward played a role in the
modernisation of the British Home Fleet, the reform of the Army Medical Services, and
the reorganisation of the British Army after the Second Boer War. Edward fostered
good relations between Great Britain and other European countries, especially France,
for which he was popularly called "Peacemaker."
Edward was born at 10:48 in the morning on 9 November 1841 in Buckingham Palace.
He was the eldest son and second child of Queen Victoria and her husband (and first
cousin) Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He was christened Albert Edward at
St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 25 January 1842. He was named Albert after
his father and Edward after his maternal grandfather Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and
Strathearn. He was known as Bertie to the family throughout his life.
As the eldest son of the British sovereign, he was automatically Duke of Cornwall and
Duke of Rothesay at birth. As a son of Prince Albert, he also held the titles of Prince of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl
of Chester on 8 December 1841, Earl of Dublin on 17 January 1850, a Knight of the
Garter on 9 November 1858, and a Knight of the Thistle on 24 May 1867. In 1863, he
renounced his succession rights to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in favour of
his younger brother, Prince Alfred.
In September 1861, Edward was sent to Germany, supposedly to watch military
manoeuvres, but actually in order to engineer a meeting between him and Princess
Alexandra of Denmark, the eldest daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark and his wife
Louise. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had already decided that Edward and
with the start of a new century and heralded significant changes in technology and
society, including powered flight and the rise of socialism. Edward played a role in the
modernisation of the British Home Fleet, the reform of the Army Medical Services, and
the reorganisation of the British Army after the Second Boer War. Edward fostered
good relations between Great Britain and other European countries, especially France,
for which he was popularly called "Peacemaker."
Edward was born at 10:48 in the morning on 9 November 1841 in Buckingham Palace.
He was the eldest son and second child of Queen Victoria and her husband (and first
cousin) Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He was christened Albert Edward at
St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 25 January 1842. He was named Albert after
his father and Edward after his maternal grandfather Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and
Strathearn. He was known as Bertie to the family throughout his life.
As the eldest son of the British sovereign, he was automatically Duke of Cornwall and
Duke of Rothesay at birth. As a son of Prince Albert, he also held the titles of Prince of
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl
of Chester on 8 December 1841, Earl of Dublin on 17 January 1850, a Knight of the
Garter on 9 November 1858, and a Knight of the Thistle on 24 May 1867. In 1863, he
renounced his succession rights to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in favour of
his younger brother, Prince Alfred.
In September 1861, Edward was sent to Germany, supposedly to watch military
manoeuvres, but actually in order to engineer a meeting between him and Princess
Alexandra of Denmark, the eldest daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark and his wife
Louise. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had already decided that Edward and
Alexandra should marry. They met at Speyer on 24
September under the auspices of his elder sister,
Victoria, who had married the Crown Prince of Prussia
Edward's elder sister, acting upon instructions from their
mother, had met Princess Alexandra at Strelitz in June;
the young Danish princess made a very favourable
impression. Edward and Alexandra were friendly from
the start; the meeting went well for both sides, and
marriage plans advanced.
From this time, Edward gained a reputation as a playboy.
Determined to get some army experience, Edward
attended manoeuvres in Ireland, during which an actress,
Nellie Clifden, was hidden in his tent by his fellow
officers. Prince Albert, though ill, was appalled and
September under the auspices of his elder sister,
Victoria, who had married the Crown Prince of Prussia
Edward's elder sister, acting upon instructions from their
mother, had met Princess Alexandra at Strelitz in June;
the young Danish princess made a very favourable
impression. Edward and Alexandra were friendly from
the start; the meeting went well for both sides, and
marriage plans advanced.
From this time, Edward gained a reputation as a playboy.
Determined to get some army experience, Edward
attended manoeuvres in Ireland, during which an actress,
Nellie Clifden, was hidden in his tent by his fellow
officers. Prince Albert, though ill, was appalled and
| Albert Edward as a child. |
visited Edward at Cambridge to issue a reprimand. Albert died in December 1861 just
two weeks after the visit. Queen Victoria was inconsolable, wore mourning clothes for
the rest of her life and blamed Edward for his father's death. At first, she regarded her
son with distaste as frivolous, indiscreet and irresponsible. She wrote to her eldest
daughter, "I never can, or shall, look at him without a shudder."
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 Constantinople. In part
political, 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 he returned to Britain, preparations were made for his engagement, which
was sealed at Laeken in Belgium on 9 September 1862. Edward and Alexandra married
at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 10 March 1863. Edward was 21; Alexandra
was 18.
Edward and his wife 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. Queen Victoria was of two minds whether it was
two weeks after the visit. Queen Victoria was inconsolable, wore mourning clothes for
the rest of her life and blamed Edward for his father's death. At first, she regarded her
son with distaste as frivolous, indiscreet and irresponsible. She wrote to her eldest
daughter, "I never can, or shall, look at him without a shudder."
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 Constantinople. In part
political, 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 he returned to Britain, preparations were made for his engagement, which
was sealed at Laeken in Belgium on 9 September 1862. Edward and Alexandra married
at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 10 March 1863. Edward was 21; Alexandra
was 18.
Edward and his wife 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. Queen Victoria was of two minds whether it was
a suitable match given the political climate. After the
couple's marriage, she expressed anxiety about their socialite
lifestyle and attempted to dictate to them on various matters,
including the names of their children.
Edward had mistresses throughout his married life. He
socialised with actress Lillie Langtry; Lady Randolph
Churchill (born Jennie Jerome, she was the mother of
Winston Churchill); Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick;
actress Sarah Bernhardt; noblewoman Susan
Pelham-Clinton; singer Hortense Schneider; prostitute Giulia
Barucci; wealthy humanitarian Agnes Keyser; and Alice
Keppel. At least fifty-five liaisons are conjectured. How far
these relationships went is not always clear. Edward always
strove to be discreet, but this did not prevent society gossip
or press speculation. One of Alice Keppel's
great-granddaughters, Camilla Parker Bowles, became the
mistress and subsequently wife of Charles, Prince of Wales,
one of Edward's great-great-grandsons. It was rumoured
couple's marriage, she expressed anxiety about their socialite
lifestyle and attempted to dictate to them on various matters,
including the names of their children.
Edward had mistresses throughout his married life. He
socialised with actress Lillie Langtry; Lady Randolph
Churchill (born Jennie Jerome, she was the mother of
Winston Churchill); Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick;
actress Sarah Bernhardt; noblewoman Susan
Pelham-Clinton; singer Hortense Schneider; prostitute Giulia
Barucci; wealthy humanitarian Agnes Keyser; and Alice
Keppel. At least fifty-five liaisons are conjectured. How far
these relationships went is not always clear. Edward always
strove to be discreet, but this did not prevent society gossip
or press speculation. One of Alice Keppel's
great-granddaughters, Camilla Parker Bowles, became the
mistress and subsequently wife of Charles, Prince of Wales,
one of Edward's great-great-grandsons. It was rumoured
| Albert and Alexandra on their wedding day-1863 |
that Camilla's grandmother, Sonia Keppel (born in May 1900), was the illegitimate
daughter of Edward, but she was "almost certainly" the daughter of George Keppel,
whom she resembled.Edward never acknowledged any illegitimate children. Alexandra
is believed to have been aware of many of his affairs and to have accepted them. or
press speculation. One of Alice Keppel's great-granddaughters, Camilla Parker Bowles,
became the mistress and subsequently wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, one of
Edward's great-great-grandsons. It was rumoured that Camilla's grandmother, Sonia
Keppel (born in May 1900), was the illegitimate daughter of Edward, but she was
"almost certainly" the daughter of George Keppel, whom she resembled.Edward never
acknowledged any illegitimate children. Alexandra is believed to have been aware of
many of his affairs and to have accepted them.
In late 1891, Edward's eldest son, Albert Victor, was engaged to Princess Victoria
Mary of Teck. Just a few weeks later, in early 1892, Albert Victor died of pneumonia.
Edward was grief-stricken. "To lose our eldest son", he wrote, "is one of those
calamities one can never really get over". Edward told Queen Victoria, "[I would] have
given my life for him, as I put no value on mine". Albert Victor was the second of
Edward's children to die. In 1871, his youngest son, John, had died just 24 hours after
being born. Edward had insisted on placing John in his coffin personally with "the tears
rolling down his cheeks".
When Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901, Edward became King of the United
Kingdom, Emperor of India and, in an innovation, King of the British Dominions. He
chose to reign under the name Edward VII, instead of Albert Edward-the name his
daughter of Edward, but she was "almost certainly" the daughter of George Keppel,
whom she resembled.Edward never acknowledged any illegitimate children. Alexandra
is believed to have been aware of many of his affairs and to have accepted them. or
press speculation. One of Alice Keppel's great-granddaughters, Camilla Parker Bowles,
became the mistress and subsequently wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, one of
Edward's great-great-grandsons. It was rumoured that Camilla's grandmother, Sonia
Keppel (born in May 1900), was the illegitimate daughter of Edward, but she was
"almost certainly" the daughter of George Keppel, whom she resembled.Edward never
acknowledged any illegitimate children. Alexandra is believed to have been aware of
many of his affairs and to have accepted them.
In late 1891, Edward's eldest son, Albert Victor, was engaged to Princess Victoria
Mary of Teck. Just a few weeks later, in early 1892, Albert Victor died of pneumonia.
Edward was grief-stricken. "To lose our eldest son", he wrote, "is one of those
calamities one can never really get over". Edward told Queen Victoria, "[I would] have
given my life for him, as I put no value on mine". Albert Victor was the second of
Edward's children to die. In 1871, his youngest son, John, had died just 24 hours after
being born. Edward had insisted on placing John in his coffin personally with "the tears
rolling down his cheeks".
When Queen Victoria died on 22 January 1901, Edward became King of the United
Kingdom, Emperor of India and, in an innovation, King of the British Dominions. He
chose to reign under the name Edward VII, instead of Albert Edward-the name his
mother had intended for him to use, declaring that he did not wish
to "undervalue the name of Albert" and diminish the status of his
father with whom among royalty the "name should stand alone".
The number VII was occasionally omitted in Scotland, even by
the national church, in deference to protests that the previous
Edwards were English kings who had "been excluded from
Scotland by battle". J. B. Priestley recalled, "I was only a child
when he succeeded Victoria in 1901, but I can testify to his
extraordinary popularity. He was in fact the most popular king
England had known since the earlier 1660s."
Edward VII and Alexandra were crowned at Westminster Abbey
on 8 August 1902 by the 80-year-old Archbishop of Cneterbury,
Frederick Temple, who died only four months later. Edward's
coronation had originally been scheduled for 26 June, but two
to "undervalue the name of Albert" and diminish the status of his
father with whom among royalty the "name should stand alone".
The number VII was occasionally omitted in Scotland, even by
the national church, in deference to protests that the previous
Edwards were English kings who had "been excluded from
Scotland by battle". J. B. Priestley recalled, "I was only a child
when he succeeded Victoria in 1901, but I can testify to his
extraordinary popularity. He was in fact the most popular king
England had known since the earlier 1660s."
Edward VII and Alexandra were crowned at Westminster Abbey
on 8 August 1902 by the 80-year-old Archbishop of Cneterbury,
Frederick Temple, who died only four months later. Edward's
coronation had originally been scheduled for 26 June, but two
days before on 24 June, Edward was diagnosed with appendicitis. Appendicitis was
generally not treated operatively and carried a high mortality rate, but developments in
anaesthesia and antisepsis in the preceding 50 years made life-saving surgery possible.
Sir Frederick Treves, with the support of Lord Lister, performed a then-radical
operation of draining the infected appendix through a small incision. The next day,
Edward was sitting up in bed, smoking a cigar. Two weeks later, it was announced that
the King was out of danger. Treves was honoured with a baronetcy (which Edward
had arranged before the operation) and appendix surgery entered the medical
mainstream.
Edward was related to nearly every other European monarch and came to be known as
the "uncle of Europe". Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II were his nephews;
Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden, Crown
Princess Marie of Romania, Crown Princess Sophia of Greece, and Empress Alexandra
of Russia were his nieces; Haakon VII of Norway was both his nephew by marriage
and his son-in-law; George I of Greece and Frederick VIII of Denmark were his
brothers-in-law; Albert I of Belgium, Ferdinand of Bulgaria, and Charles I and Manuel II
of Portugal were his second cousins. Edward doted on his grandchildren, and indulged
them, to the consternation of their governesses. However, there was one relation whom
Edward did not like: Wilhelm II. Edward's difficult relationship with his nephew
exacerbated the tensions between Germany and Britain.
Edward usually smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day. Towards the end of
his life he increasingly suffered from bronchitis. In March 2010, the King was staying
at Biarritz when he collapsed. He remained there to convalesce, while in London
Asquith tried to get the Finance Bill passed. The King's continued ill health was
unreported and he attracted criticism for staying in Europe while political tensions were
so high. On 27 April he returned to Buckingham Palace, still suffering from severe
bronchitis. Alexandra returned home from visiting her brother, King George I of
Greece, in Corfu a week later on 5 May.
generally not treated operatively and carried a high mortality rate, but developments in
anaesthesia and antisepsis in the preceding 50 years made life-saving surgery possible.
Sir Frederick Treves, with the support of Lord Lister, performed a then-radical
operation of draining the infected appendix through a small incision. The next day,
Edward was sitting up in bed, smoking a cigar. Two weeks later, it was announced that
the King was out of danger. Treves was honoured with a baronetcy (which Edward
had arranged before the operation) and appendix surgery entered the medical
mainstream.
Edward was related to nearly every other European monarch and came to be known as
the "uncle of Europe". Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II were his nephews;
Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden, Crown
Princess Marie of Romania, Crown Princess Sophia of Greece, and Empress Alexandra
of Russia were his nieces; Haakon VII of Norway was both his nephew by marriage
and his son-in-law; George I of Greece and Frederick VIII of Denmark were his
brothers-in-law; Albert I of Belgium, Ferdinand of Bulgaria, and Charles I and Manuel II
of Portugal were his second cousins. Edward doted on his grandchildren, and indulged
them, to the consternation of their governesses. However, there was one relation whom
Edward did not like: Wilhelm II. Edward's difficult relationship with his nephew
exacerbated the tensions between Germany and Britain.
Edward usually smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day. Towards the end of
his life he increasingly suffered from bronchitis. In March 2010, the King was staying
at Biarritz when he collapsed. He remained there to convalesce, while in London
Asquith tried to get the Finance Bill passed. The King's continued ill health was
unreported and he attracted criticism for staying in Europe while political tensions were
so high. On 27 April he returned to Buckingham Palace, still suffering from severe
bronchitis. Alexandra returned home from visiting her brother, King George I of
Greece, in Corfu a week later on 5 May.
The following day, the King suffered
several heart attacks, but refused to go to
bed saying, "No, I shall not give in; I shall
go on; I shall work to the end." Between
moments of faintness, the Prince of
Wales (shortly to be King George V) told
him that his horse, Witch of the Air, had
won at Kempton Park that afternoon. The
King replied, "I am very glad": his final
words. At 11:30 pm he lost
| Queen Alexandra in her carriage during the funeral procession. |
consciousness for the last time and was put to bed. He died 15 minutes later.
Edward VII was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 20 May 1910. As
Barbara Tuchman noted in The Guns of August, his funeral marked "the greatest
assemblage of royalty and rank ever gathered in one place and, of its kind, the last".
Edward VII was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 20 May 1910. As
Barbara Tuchman noted in The Guns of August, his funeral marked "the greatest
assemblage of royalty and rank ever gathered in one place and, of its kind, the last".
| XXX |
| Edward VII at Balmoral Photo taken by Queen Alexandra |
