Edward VII

Edward VII, born Albert Edward on 9 November 1841, was the King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death on 6 May 1910. The eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he was christened Albert Edward at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was known as Bertie within the royal family. He held the title of Prince of Wales for almost 60 years, the longest in British history. Edward married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, and they had six children. His educational endeavors included studies at Christ Church, Oxford, and Trinity College, Cambridge. As Prince of Wales, Edward traveled extensively, representing Britain abroad and undertaking public duties within the UK.

Edward’s reign as king began following Queen Victoria’s death in 1901. He played a significant role in the modernization of the British naval fleet and the reorganization of the army post-Second Boer War. His efforts in fostering good relations with other European countries earned him the moniker ‘Peacemaker,’ although his relationship with his nephew, German Emperor Wilhelm II, was strained. The Edwardian era, named after him, saw the rise of new technologies and social changes. Edward’s death in 1910 occurred amidst a constitutional crisis, which was resolved a year later with the Parliament Act 1911, limiting the power of the House of Lords. He was succeeded by his son, George V.