Edward VII’s Children by John Van Der Kiste

Author:John Van Der Kiste
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* The full story of this sordid business, recounted by Mrs Cresswell in 18 Years on the Sandringham estate and more recently by David Duff in Whisper Louise, reflects the least creditable and most selfish aspect of the future King Edward VII’s character.

Children of the King 1901–10

7

‘A Regiment, Not a Family’

Despite his mother’s wish that her eldest son should reign as King Albert Edward, he very wisely chose to be known as the far more English name of Edward, one already borne by six previous Kings. Queen Victoria’s coffin lay in state for ten days at Osborne, and was then brought over to the mainland where it initially lay for two nights in the Albert Memorial Chapel beside effigies of the Prince Consort and the Duke of Clarence. Her funeral, a dignified, awe-inspiring ceremony attended by several European heads of state, took place on 4 February.

So many sovereigns and princes were staying at Windsor Castle that Sir Frederick Ponsonby,* whose numerous duties included drafting the order of ceremonial, had inadvertently omitted the name of the new king’s son-in-law, the Duke of Fife. While talking to Macduff one morning King Edward caught sight of Ponsonby and called him over to administer a severe reprimand. How could he have any confidence in a servant when such an error was made? After seeing the equerry thus brought to book, Macduff walked off satisfied. Once he was out of earshot, the King’s tone instantly changed. He told Ponsonby that he realized what a magnificent job he had done, but Fife was so hurt at his name being left out that he felt he was not wanted.

One significant absence from the funeral ceremony was that of Prince George. The new heir to the throne had been present at his grandmother’s deathbed; he travelled to London next day to St James’s Palace to approve the royal proclamation and to take the oath of allegiance. After returning to Osborne House, he felt unwell and retired to bed with German measles. Anxious reporters and others, knowing that the King’s elder sister was dying in Germany, wondered whether the life of his son was in danger as well. Fortunately, as in the case of his typhoid nine years earlier, he soon recovered.

Maud wrote consolingly (3 February) to May, to tell her how much they were missed, and:

how sorry we all are that you and darling George are not with us now. I do hope he is really getting on satisfactorily and that Laking is satisfied, for you it must be dreadful being quite alone at Osborne all so empty and sad.1

As heir, George automatically became Duke of Cornwall in addition to his present title, Duke of York. Yet for the time being he was not to be Prince of Wales. King Edward’s reason for not immediately bestowing this title on his son was sound enough. It had been associated with himself for nearly sixty years, and he saw that to confer it on another too soon would create confusion in the public mind.

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