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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Edward VII
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(1841–1910) King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1901; eldest son of Victoria and of Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; married in 1863 Alexandra, daughter of the heir to the throne of Denmark.
When he was only a month old his mother created him prince of *Wales, so he was known as this for all but the last decade of his life. His enjoyment of slightly risqué society, of gambling (the *baccarat scandal) and of racing (on two occasions a horse of his won the Derby and the St Leger in the same season) was not well calculated to please Victoria, who much preferred the earnest ways of his father. So Edward was excluded from any serious public role until his accession, by which time he was nearly 60.
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His reign of nine years introduced a mood of sumptuousness and enjoyment which was in marked contrast to the late Victorian era, contributing to his considerable popularity as king. He travelled a great deal, making use of the fact that nearly all the royal families of Europe were his cousins. He particularly encouraged closer ties with France and Russia. He was succeeded in 1910 by his second son, *George V.
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