Edward VII - King in Waiting Trivia Quiz

Answer: Buckingham Palace

Prince Albert Edward was born on the 9th November, 1841. He was the second child and oldest son of Queen Victoria. He became the Prince of Wales at the age of 25 when the title was conferred on him. One eminent historian, Jasper Ridley, declared St. James' Palace to be his birthplace but appears to have been misled by the proclamation of the birth taking place there.

Answer: Victoria

Princess Victoria married Frederick III, the Emperor of Germany. In England she was given the title of the Princess Royal. She died in 1901, the same year that Queen Victoria herself died and Edward came to the throne.

Answer: Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha

Charles Edward was in fact Edward's nephew as he was the son of his brother Leopold and Princess Helen of Waldeck. Arthur survived the longest of the royal brothers. He married the Princess Luise ("Looisichen") of Prussia.

Answer: He put a dead rat in his bed.

In later life Edward reversed this dreadful behaviour and was more noted for the loyalty he showed his friends and the consideration he gave to his servants. However, he was always a very assertive individual determined to get his own way.

Answer: Canada and the U.S.A.

The Prince's visit was generally regarded as a great success. He made himself popular with the American people by visiting Washington's grave in Virginia. He also showed a great deal of charm at the balls and receptions in Washington.

Answer: Some army officers smuggled a girl into Edward's tent one night.

Edward had been sent on manoeuvres with the army. The young lady smuggled into his tent was an actress. The incident outraged his mother and his father who had tried to ensure that their eldest son did not lead the sort of debauched life enjoyed by Victoria's uncles, George IV and William IV.

Answer: Princess Alexandra of Denmark

Though Queen Victoria liked her daughter-in-law, the marriage led to some political differences. Prussia and Austria went to war with Denmark in 1864 over the area of Schleswig-Holstein. Queen Victoria sympathised with the German states but Prince Edward and most leading British politicians were on the side of Denmark.

Answer: Garibaldi

Queen Victoria reprimanded Edward for meeting Garibaldi but he defended his conduct and refused to allow his mother to blame General Knollys for arranging the interview.

Answer: Bertie

This confusion of family names and regnal names becomes even more intense in the 20th century. Here Edward VIII was called "David" by his brothers and the future George VI was called "Bertie" just like his grandfather.

Answer: shooting, gambling and going to race meetings

Whilst he waited for his chance to get involved in the ruling of the country his life consisted of a constant round of visiting country houses. He also enjoyed eating and is known to have spent many years of his life with a regime of five meals a day. He did not drink heavily but smoked twelve large cigars and twenty cigarettes a day.

Answer: six

There were three boys and three girls. The eldest son was called Albert Victor and the second was called George (later George V). There was also Princess Louise, Princess Victoria, and Princess Maud. The youngest child was Prince Alexander.

Answer: A divorce case.

The M.P. Sir Charles Mordaunt brought a divorce petition against his wife on the grounds of her adultery with two of Edward's friends. She confessed and added the name of Edward to the list of her lovers. The Prince was subpoenaed as a witness but the lady was considered by the court to be insane. However, Edward's indiscreet behaviour was strongly criticised.

Answer: baccarat

The events took place at Tranby Croft in Yorkshire where the Prince was staying for the race week at Doncaster. Colonel Sir William Gordon Cumming was accused of cheating. He sued some of the other players for slander and the Prince was once again subpoenaed as a witness. Edward was strongly censored by the Press for indulging in the lowest type of gambling. Baccarat was also illegal at this time.

Answer: The Conservatives

Edward was on very friendly terms with his first prime minister, Lord Salisbury but he did not like his Conservative successor, Arthur Balfour. After the Liberals came to power he liked Campbell Bannerman but was less friendly with Asquith.

Answer: France

Edward's state visit to Paris in 1903 marked the beginning of the "Entente Cordiale" between Britain and France. At the same Edward's disenchantment with Germany and his nephew Kaiser William II was growing apace.