Edward VII of the United Kingdom

Marriage

Once widowed, Queen Victoria effectively withdrew from public life, but shortly after the Prince Consort's death, she arranged for her son to marry Princess Alexandra of Denmark, the beautiful elder daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark. The couple wed at St. George's Chapel, Windsor on 10 March 1863.

Related Topics:
Alexandra of Denmark - King Christian IX of Denmark - St. George's Chapel, Windsor - 10 March - 1863

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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. Edward was also an enthusiastic hunter; so much so that he ordained that all the clocks at Sandringham be put forward by half in hour in order to create more time for this pastime. This so-called tradition of Sandringham Time continued until 1936, when it was abolished by Edward VIII.

Related Topics:
Marlborough House - Sandringham House - Norfolk - Sandringham Time - 1936 - Edward VIII

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Their marriage was met with disapproval in certain circles because most of Victoria's relations were German, and Denmark was at loggerheads with Germany over the territories of Schleswig and Holstein. Victoria herself was of two minds as to whether it was a suitable match. After the couple's marriage, she expressed anxiety about their lifestyle and attempted to dictate to them on various matters, including the names of their children.

Related Topics:
Denmark - Schleswig - Holstein

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Edward treated his marriage with indifference, keeping mistresses throughout his married life, including actress Lillie Langtry, and Jennie Jerome, the mother of Winston Churchill. His last "official" mistress, society matron Alice Keppel, was even

Related Topics:
Lillie Langtry - Jennie Jerome - Winston Churchill - Alice Keppel

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present at his deathbed in 1910 at his express written instruction; one of Keppel's great granddaughters, Camilla Parker Bowles, was later to become the mistress and then wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, one of Edward's great-great grandsons.

Related Topics:
Camilla Parker Bowles - Charles, Prince of Wales

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