Kings and Queens
Edward VII (1901 – 1910)

Edward VII (1901 – 1910)

Victoria’s eldest son, Edward, was the only monarch to have reigned over Great Britain purely from the family of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales, and has the distinction of having been heir apparent to the throne longer than anyone in English or British history. Edward's nine-year reign is now known as the Edwardian period. Edward was a successful monarch, a Freemason and, of course, the face of King Edward cigars!

During his time on the throne he saw the first official recognition of the office of the Prime Minister, and in 1908 he became the first British monarch to visit Russia. Edward also played a considerable role in the modernisation of the British Home Fleet and, after the Second Boer War, reform of the Army Medical Services. Sadly, his vice of smoking was to kill him; towards the end of his life he suffered from severe bouts of bronchitis and died of a heart attack.

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