Object of the Day: Portrait of King Edward VII

“Bertie, I can’t hear you.”

--Alexandra of Denmark to her husband the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII) from their marriage in 1863 until his death in 1910.

Since Thursday is always “Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture” day, I thought we’d begin with another famous Bertie—King Edward VII (1841-1910, r. 1901-1910).  As we know, Bertie was the first born son (not first born child) of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and, as such, was the heir apparent.  He waited a long time to be King since his regal mother showed no signs of slowing down during her over sixty-year reign.  Bertie passed the time not studying and, basically, chasing women.  He did pause to marry Princess Alexandra of Denmark, but that didn’t keep him from dating.  With Princess Alexandra, he had six children.  His eldest, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, died young while engaged to Princess Mary of Teck—leaving Bertie’s second son, Prince George (King George V) to be the heir presumptive as well as the husband of Princess Mary.

Bertie wasn’t an entirely bad bloke.  He was just passionate and bored.  He loved his wife and was fairly kind to her despite his infidelities.  He spent as much time with her as he could stand and was, I believe, patient with her increasing deafness. 

But, still…he was a bloated hound dog.  Nevertheless, he did have a deep affection for his grandchildren.  He famously held “butter races” with them.  The future Kings Edward VIII and George VI often watched pats of butter melt and run down the King’s legs.  They would wager which oily blob would reach King Edward VII’s shoes first. 

I find King Edward VII to be a curious figure.  In many ways, he was a pig.  I can’t condone his behavior.  Neither could Queen Victoria, it seems, who always blamed Bertie for the death of her beloved Prince Albert  (Albert became weakened when he went to talk his eldest son out of a scandalous relationship with a…gasp…music hall girl).  Yet, he wasn’t an entirely bad King.  He was—despite many scandals—rather popular with the people, and, if anything, knew how to garner good press.  Additionally, he was the father of King George V whom I admire greatly and was reported very kind to Queen Mary, who, as you know, I have an enduring tremendous respect.

Over Easter, my parents gave me this beautiful chromolithograph of King Edward VII which dates to his 1902 coronation.  This was the official coronation portrait and depicts Bertie—slit-eyed and bloated, but still oddly handsome, in his red uniform adorned with garter stars.

Now, he hangs proudly and contentedly at the entrance of my study.  And, yes, when I pass him I do mimic Queen Alexandra and say, “Bertie, I can’t hear you.”