In 1861, he transferred to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was tutored in history by Charles Kingsley, Regius Professor of Modern History. Now released from the educational strictures imposed by his parents, he enjoyed studying for the first time and performed satisfactorily in examinations. In October, he matriculated as an undergraduate at Christ Church, Oxford. Īfter an educational trip to Rome, undertaken in the first few months of 1859, Edward spent the summer of that year studying at the University of Edinburgh under, among others, the chemist Lyon Playfair. After the completion of his secondary-level studies, his tutor Frederick Waymouth Gibbs was replaced by Robert Bruce as his personal governor. Although Edward was not a diligent student-his true talents were those of charm, sociability and tact- Benjamin Disraeli described him as informed, intelligent and of sweet manner.

He tried to meet the expectations of his parents, but to no avail. Unlike his elder sister Victoria, he did not excel in his studies. At age seven, Edward embarked on a rigorous educational programme devised by Albert, and supervised by several tutors. The Queen and Prince Albert were determined that their eldest son should have an education that would prepare him to be a model constitutional monarch. In 1863, he renounced his succession rights to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in favour of his younger brother Prince Alfred. He was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 8 December 1841, Earl of Dublin on 17 January 1850, a Knight of the Garter on 9 November 1858, and a Knight of the Thistle on. As a son of Prince Albert, he also held the titles of Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony. Īs the eldest son of the British sovereign, he was automatically Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay at birth. He was known as Bertie to the royal family throughout his life. He was named Albert after his father and Edward after his maternal grandfather, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn.

He was christened Albert Edward at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 25 January 1842. He was the eldest son and second child of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Edward was succeeded by his only surviving son, George V.Įarly life and education Portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1846Įdward was born on 9 November 1841 in Buckingham Palace. He died in 1910 in the midst of a constitutional crisis that was resolved the following year by the Parliament Act 1911, which restricted the power of the unelected House of Lords. The Edwardian era, which covered Edward's reign and was named after him, coincided with the start of a new century and heralded significant changes in technology and society, including steam turbine propulsion and the rise of socialism. He fostered good relations between Britain and other European countries, especially France, for which he was popularly called 'Peacemaker', but his relationship with his nephew, German Emperor Wilhelm II, was poor. He re-instituted traditional ceremonies as public displays and broadened the range of people with whom royalty socialised.

The King played a role in the modernisation of the British Home Fleet and the reorganisation of the British Army after the Second Boer War of 1899–1902. His tours of North America in 1860 and of the Indian subcontinent in 1875 proved popular successes, but despite public approval, his reputation as a playboy prince soured his relationship with his mother.Įdward inherited the throne upon his mother's death in 1901. As Prince of Wales, Edward travelled throughout Britain performing ceremonial public duties and represented Britain on visits abroad. He married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, and the couple had six children. During his mother's reign, he was largely excluded from political influence and came to personify the fashionable, leisured elite. He was Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British throne for almost 60 years. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Edward, nicknamed 'Bertie', was related to royalty throughout Europe. Edward VII (Albert Edward 9 November 1841 – ) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910.

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