Gay Monarch

“When Queen Victoria gave birth to her eldest son, on November 11, 1841, cannons roared, flags fluttered, and many a loyal subject went to bed tipsy.”

Queen Victoria was adamant that little Edward was to grow up to be just like his father, Prince Albert, the man she adored.

A strict regime of schooling, high society, Oxford, Cambridge and the army followed; all measures designed to prepare Edward for life as King.

But Edward had other priorities…

Despite rigid etiquette, Edward caused considerable scandal with affairs and his jovial nature.

Royal family politics became dire when Queen Victoria held Edward responsible for the death of Albert.

After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 he succeeded to the throne and a new, progressive and far less sober era began.

His reign was one of liberalism, embracing the arts, science and literature. Yet for all his flair and professional diplomacy, Edward lacked interest in the Conservative and Liberal battles of government, which blighted the end of his reign.

However, the transformative nature of his foreign policy, and the ease with which he combined pleasure and duty, meant England became more fashionable and influential than ever before, with growing European relations and the most powerful Navy in the world.

Edward was often referred to as ‘the Uncle of Europe’, he was highly regarded for his foreign policy and was the first monarch to visit Russia.

Virginia Cowles paints an intimate portrait of a King who despite his pursuit of pleasure, went on to become an immensely popular ruler.

Virginia Cowles (1910-1983) was an author and journalist. Born in Vermont, USA she became a well-known journalist in the 1930s with her columns appearing on both sides of the Atlantic. During the Second World War she covered the Italian campaign, the liberation of Paris, and the Allied invasion of Germany. In 1945 she married the politician and writer Aidan Crawley. She wrote many biographies including Winston Churchill; the Era and the Man and Edward VII and His Circle.