King Edward VII, 1841-1910

[Mentioned in the Message for 1902, p. 3]

King Edward, eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, was made Prince of Wales before he was a month old. His father, a bookish man, mapped out the prince's education. During his studies under a succession of tutors and later at Christ Church, Oxford, and at Cambridge, he never had the companionship of other boys. At Oxford the lecturers came to him; at Cambridge he drove to the town for exclusive lectures. His father was disappointed in the prince's lack of interest in intellectual matters.

In 1860 the prince toured Canada and, as Lord Renfrew, visited the United States. His personal charm and his genius in dealing with people made him exceedingly popular and pointed to qualities that were to be invaluable. Back in England he returned to as strict discipline and surveillance as before. The following year his father passed on in December, and the prince left Cambridge. However, his mother insisted that he go ahead with an educational tour through Egypt, Turkey, and Palestine, which his father had planned. This completed, the prince took his place in the House of Lords and became a member of the privy council. In London he lived at Marlborough House, and Sandringham was given to him for a country estate.

The prince hoped that after his marriage to Princess Alexandra, daughter of the king of Denmark, he would be allowed some part in state affairs. This his mother denied him. Sometimes he officiated at minor functions; but having no real employment, most of his time was given to pleasure.

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Signs of the Times
May 23, 1959
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