BENEVOLENT BERTIE

 

When young women traversed the sea in order to pay their pennies to earn a place amongst the posh, one man took up the rightful duty of being their connection. He didn't have anything else to do really, as his mother reigned for 60 years. Prince Albert Edward, Bertie to the pulchritudinous Penny Princesses would eventually become king, but until then he lived large, waiting to be in charge. His Marlboro House Set became the talk of London. Bertie was benevolent and beautiful girls took notice.

Edward Albert, Prince of Wales, was born November 9th 1841 to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Called Bertie, he was the second child of 9, but first son. Due to primogeniture, (sexist old timey talk for "dudes rule") he would be king. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert wanted Bertie to have a well-rounded education to prepare him for his royal duties. Tutors found Bertie charming and sweet, but not much of a scholar. Bertie eventually attended University and met with academic success.

Bertie wanted a military career, but Queen Victoria vetoed that. Instead Bertie often attended military services and ceremonies in his mother's place. Bertie was kept from any real palace political dealings. He was sent on goodwill tours across the world. Bertie traveled to America in 1860. As a handsome young prince he created a sensation wherever he went. Bernie stayed at the White House with President James Buchanan and met Longfellow and Emerson.

Bertie met Princess Alexandra Caroline Marie Charlotte Louise Julia of Denmark in 1861. Alexander was beautiful, kind, and good natured. Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan) wrote music for her, and Tennyson wrote a poem in her honor. She and Bertie wed March 10th 1863. The couple had five children. Princess Alexandra loved being a mother and was hands-on with her children, much to Queen Victoria's consternation. Despite Bertie's many, many, many affairs they were a fairly happy couple. Princess Alexandra enjoyed ice skating, dancing and hunting. She and Bertie kept Sandringham as their country home and resided at Marlborough House in London.

Bertie and his mates called were called the Marlborough House Set. During weekend long parties the set would play cards, go shooting and hunting, and take in horse racing. The O G Penny Princesses, Jenny Jerome Churchill, Minnie Padget, and Consuelo Yznaga were a part of the set - acting as hostesses at their estates when the set traveled. Jenny, Minnie, and Consuelo numbered amongst Bertie's multitude of mistresses. Bertie enjoyed eating but rarely drank alcohol, maybe port or champagne occasionally. Bertie smoked - 20 cigarettes and 12 cigars per day. The Marlboro House Set were very much gossiped about, again, much to the consternation of Queen Victoria.

Bertie and Alexandra's marriage began to become strained. Bertie was almost named in a divorce suit, and eventually testified in the case. In 1898 Queen Victoria let Bertie become more involved in government. Three years later Queen Victoria died and Bertie was crowned king. Queen Alexandra had taken on public duties for Queen Victoria after Prince Albert died. She visited Joseph Merrick in the hospital. The death of their eldest son and her deafness began to isolate her from royal life.

Bertie's time as King became known as the Edwardian era. Technology, science, health, and women's roles in society began to grow and change for the better. On May 6th 1910 Bertie suffered several heart attacks and died. After Bertie's death Alexandra became Queen Mother. She doted on her grandchildren and resided at Sandringham. Princess Alexandra died November 20th, 1925 of a heart attack. An era had truly come to an end.

SOURCES :

Edward VII. Wikipedia.

Alexandra of Denmark. Wikipedia.

FURTHER MEDIA ~

PODCASTS : 

Graham, Beckett / Vollenweider, Susan, hosts. "Gilded Age Heiresses." Episode 9, The History Chicks, 2 June 2011.

Raymond, Carl, host. "The ‘Real’ Buccaneers : Gilded Age Million Dollar Princesses." The Gilded Gentleman, Episode 57, Bowery Boys Media, 5 September 2023.