With Queen Victoria's retreat from public life, Edward was allowed to represent her at official state events, but not given any responsibility in political matters. Actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Lillie Langtry, as well as Lady Randolph Churchill ( Winston's mother) and Alice Keppel (great-grandmother of Camilla, wife of Charles, the current Prince of Wales) were among his many trysts. Edward continued to have many affairs throughout his marriage. Queen Victoria fell into a deep depression and blamed Edward for her husband's death, never to forgive him. The affair was ended, but two weeks later Albert fell ill and died of typhoid on December 14, 1861. So distraught was his father, Prince Albert, over the disgrace to the royal family, that he personally went to his son to reprimand him. Before his marriage but after his engagement, Edward fell into a scandalous love affair with actress Nellie Clifton. The marriage, arranged by Edward's parents, produced six children, five of whom lived to adulthood. On March 10, 1863, Prince Edward married Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

During his short time in the army, he rose to the level of lieutenant colonel through honorary promotions. His mother vetoed that idea, hoping to keep him safe for the throne. As was customary for members of British royalty, Prince Edward attended Oxford and Cambridge universities and soon after declared his desire to pursue a career in the military. Known as 'Bertie' within the family, he was subjected to a strict regimen to prepare him for the throne. The eldest son of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the future Edward VII was born Albert Edward on November 9, 1841. His reforms of the military and navy prepared them well for World War I. A popular member of social and sporting circles, Edward VII strengthened England's ties with the rest of Europe, although his relationship with Germany's emperor - his nephew - was rocky. Edward VII became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Victoria, in 1901.

Queen victoria in family tree