Emancipation of Edward VII.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 127, 28 November 1941, Page 5

Emancipation of Edward VII.

HE Prince Consort died when Edward was twenty ‘" + and the grief-stricken Victoria went into retirement. Thus Edward suddenly became free, Less than two years later he married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and set up a household at Marlborough House in London, What followed was not in the least surprising. Edward proceeded to enjoy himself. The world was suddenly open to him. He had been subject to an iron discipline of education for years, and been bored by it. Now he was free to indulge his natural taste for society. Never again, unless he wanted to, need he open a hook-and apparently he very seldom wanted to. He was young; he had plenty of money; he was heir to the throne; and- he was married to a lovely and lovable wife, who won the admiration and affection of the British public. In fact, people were mad about her. Society was naturally eager to receive the young couple, and the young couple were eager to be welcomed.. The Prince and Princess of Wales . became at once the leaders of society. They liked brightness and gaiety and found plenty of it. Entertainment at. Victoria’s court had been dignified and magnificent, but dull; there had been little ease and little laughter. Now that he was his own master, the Prince of Wales, to quote his biographer, E, A. Benson, made himself the centre of a very mixed society of lively young men and pretty women.("Edward VII. and His Times,’ 2YA, November 9.)