I have watched over more than a few nights the British series done in 1973 of Edward VII life set from his Victorian parents, Albert and Victoria reign to his long awaited reign at the beginning of the 20th C.
Albert Edward, Princes of Wales had a difficult start in life. He was just a baby when is Father decided he must have a strict education to make him a perfect statesman. Prince Albert had known from a young age he was possible in the running for Princess Victoria's hand in marriage. He was also studious and disciplined. It came as a surprise and shock when his son could not manage to learn as easy as he himself did. He was only half Albert's son and also Victoria's heir.
Victoria is seen as temperamental and high strung and is also known to have had a strict up bringing with few friends if any of her own age. The young Bertie has his brother, Alfred. But the rigorous timetable set out for him proves almost too much and he is also kept away from children other than the family.
Bertie goes for a short period of time into the army and then to Cambridge but is attracted by the fun and pleasant times he has missed in his youth. Prince Albert goes to talk with Bertie and comes back although already ill with typhoid fever. The Prince is already old for his forty one years and clings to life for a few short weeks. Victoria is devastated which starts a life long distrust of her son whom she can't look upon.
The Queen's solution is to get a bride for Bertie and he picks, Princess Alexandra or Denmark. Although both young people are lacking the maturity to be married, they do marry and produce five children.
Alexandra gets sick and becomes hard of hearing as a result of her illness and Bertie is left to his way of life. He enjoys society which both Alexandra and he has been involved in, to provide an image of the royal family which Victoria with herself imposed state of mourning becomes a way of life.
The Queen long lived keeps Bertie out of work for most of his reign, he does get involved in foreign politics by annual visits to Europe which helps the English government. When Victoria dies in 1901, it is almost hard to believe that the now Edward VII and Alexandra are the monarchs.
There reign is perceived as happy and prosperous although the start if of the Boer War and its aftermath. Edward VII has become a career diplomat and Alexandra is a kind and loving Queen.
This series is a heart warmer of an era that has had an effect on our families but the production of the pageantry and costume design is also magnificent. It puts the modern costume drama in its place. The series is long but worth the time to enjoy the era and the personality now lost to time.
