Queen Victoria was not pleased to be
pregnant with her second child so soon after the first. This
unfortunate start dogged Bertie, Albert Edward who later became King
Edward VII, for the rest of their relationship. He was raised in a
cold regimented way. Prince Albert thought he should be segregated
from his peers and made to study on a rigorous schedule. He was
constantly criticized by both parents. It's amazing that he didn't
grow up to be a bitter man.
Instead of focusing on his ill
treatment, Bertie hit back at Victoria in other ways. As soon as he
was of age, he abandoned the domesticity treasured by his parents and
became a gambler, man-about-town, and womanizer. His mother and
sisters selected his bride, the lovely Danish princess, Alexandra.
Although Bertie was fond of her, it didn't stop him from having
numerous affairs with both lowly women and wives of his friends.
Ridley hypothesizes that it was a way for him to express his rage
with his mother and sisters.
The middle of the book focuses on his
relationships with the various women in his life. It's a delightful
gossipy read. Bertie comes across as very human and not quite the
debauched satyr as he is often depicted.
The final chapters of the book are
devoted to his rule. While it was only 9 years they were fruitful
ones for Britain. Bertie turned out to be a hardworking monarch and
structured the constitutional monarchy used in Britain today.
The book is extremely well researched
with many quotations from letters from the principals as well as
quotes from intimates of their circle. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
It gave me a different view of the relationship of Victoria and
Albert. Their treatment of the oldest son was in many way horrific.
Ridley portrays Victoria as so wrapped up in wanting Albert to
herself that she couldn't stand the competition from her children.
From the quotations, it appears to be true, but it is different from
the way I pictured their relationship.
I highly recommend this book if you're
interested in the history of Britain specifically the Victorian Era
leading to the reign of Edward VII.
I reviewed this book for the Amazon
Vine Program.
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