Edward VII: The Last Victorian King

Reference Notes

I am deeply indebted to the various owners of copyright material who have been kind enough to grant permission for extracts to be reproduced in this book. I am also most grateful to the authors and publishers of the following books, in which several of the royal letters and documents have already been printed: Philip Magnus, King Edward the Seventh (John Murray); Georgina Battiscombe, Queen Alexandra (Constable & Co.); Roger Fulford, Dearest Child and Dearest Mama (Evans Brothers); Cecil Woodham-Smith, Queen Victoria: Her Life and Times (Hamish Hamilton); Elizabeth Longford, Victoria R.1. (Weidenfeld & Nicolson); Giles St Aubyn, The Royal George (Constable & Co.); Mary Howard McClintock, The Queen Thanks Sir Howard (John Murray); and Theo Lang, My Darling Daisy (Michael Joseph).

Quotations from the diaries of Arthur J. Munby, the letters of Henry Ponsonby, the recollections of Frederick Ponsonby and the papers of Sir Edward Marsh are taken, with gratitude, from Derek Hudson’s Munby: Man of Two Worlds (John Murray), Arthur Ponsonby’s Henry Ponsonby: Queen Victoria’s Private Secretary (Macmillan & Co.), Sir Frederick Ponsonby’s Recollections of Three Reigns (edited by Colin Welch; Eyre & Spottiswoode), and Christopher Hassall’s Edward Marsh (Longmans).

For extracts from the Macclesfield Papers I am indebted to Georgina Battiscombe and Messrs Constable & Co.; from the Campbell-Bannerman Papers to John Wilson and Messrs Constable & Co.; from the Soveral and Mensdorff Papers to Gordon Brook-Shepherd and Messrs Collins; and from the Edward Hamilton Papers to Dudley W.R. Bahlman and the Clarendon Press, Oxford.

p. 10 Sir George Combe’s reports: National Library of Scotland (MSS. 7437).

By June 1852 Combe had examined ‘all the four Royal Children’ and had found each one ‘characterized by the organs of Self-Esteem, Love of Approbation, Firmness and Conscientiousness … greatly beyond the average of the general English brain. The same remark also applies to Concentrativeness; but above all Conscientiousness is largely developed.… This renders words spoken, or actions done to them greatly more felt than is the case with ordinary children.’

p. 11 Birch and Prince Albert: Londonderry Papers. Disraeli wrote to Lady Londonderry on 10 October 1851: ‘You know or have heard of Mr Birch, the model tutor of the Prince of Wales and hitherto at the Chateau a prime favourite. It seems that Albert who has imbibed the ultra Lutheran (alias Infidel) doctrines and holds that all churches (reformed) are alike, etc., and that ecclesiastical formulares of all kinds ought to be discouraged, signified to Birch the other day that he did not approve of the Prince of Wales being taught the catechism, his Royal Highness not approving of creeds and all that. Conceive the astonishment and horror of Birch, a very orthodox if not very High Churchman, at this virtual abnegation of all priestly authority! He at once informed His Royal Highness that he must then resign his post. This could not on the instant be agreed to, as the Queen was devoted to Birch and Albert himself had hitherto greatly approved of him. After this there were scenes for a week, some very violent; it ended by Birch, who was unflinching, consenting to remain, the Prince of Wales being taught the Church catechism and the utmost efforts being made to suppress the whole esclandre which, if it were known, would, coupled with the connection and patronage of the National Exposition, complete, it is supposed, the Prince’s popularity. He is already more than suspected by the Church [of] making the Queen, when in Scotland, attend the Kirk and not the episcopal church, to which he sends a lord-in-waiting, or a maid of honor, every Sunday, instead of the sacred presence.’

p. 11 Birch’s reports: Extracts on these and preceding pages are from Gibbs Papers; Philip Magnus, p. 7; also Cecil Woodham-Smith, pp. 335–36. pp. 12–13 Gibbs’s diary entries: Cornhill Magazine, p. 986, Spring 1951.

pp. 13–14 Becker’s and Voisin’s reports in Gibbs Papers, quoted by Philip Magnus, pp. 10–11.

p. 15 Wynn-Carrington on Prince Albert: Lincolnshire Papers (Bodleian MSS. Film 1120–21).

p. 16 Prince’s essay: Gibbs’s report in Royal Archives quoted by Elizabeth Longford, p. 275.

p. 21 Lindsay’s report: Royal Archives, quoted by Cecil Woodham-Smith, pp. 403–4.

p. 22 Gladstone on Prince of Wales: Hawarden MSS., quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 27.

p. 29 Prince of Wales’s lack of skill at tennis: Joseph Romilly’s MS. Diaries, 28 January 1841 (Cambridge University Library, 6804–42).

p. 32 New York Herald reports: Press cuttings in the Royal Archives quoted by Woodham-Smith. Later quotations from New York Daily Tribune and New York Times are from Kinley Roby.

pp. 36–37 Madingley Hall arrangements: King Papers, 12 June 1860 to 8 December 1861 (Cambridge County Record Office).

pp. 37–38 Prince at Cambridge: Acland Papers; Joseph Romilly’s Diaries, 18 January 1861 to 21 May 1861. Romilly went to dinner with the Prince at Madingley on 24 January and afterwards recorded: ‘The Prince did not wear a star or ribbon and we were all (as instructed) in an ordinary evening dress without gowns.… Whewell [William Whewell, Master of Trinity College] said Grace. The dessert was on the table at first: no viands on table: everything handed round. Wine was twice poured out for everybody without asking: seemed to be Sherry and Champagne. With the cheese Portwine was offered & cherry brandy. After dinner nothing but Sherry and Claret offered: no wine put on table. I think nobody tasted any part of the dessert except some little cakes which were handed round.… The ice after dinner was delicious.’

p. 38 Kingsley on the Prince: Desborough Papers, 5 May 1861 (County of Buckingham Record Office, D/86/32/40).

p. 47 Prince Albert at Madingley: Lincolnshire Papers, 25 November 1861.

pp. 47–48 Prince at father’s deathbed: King Papers, The Hon. Sir Charles Phipps to Lady King, 27 December 1861.

p. 50 Prince’s letter to Wynn-Carrington: Lincolnshire Papers, 23 January 1862.

p. 51 Stanley and Prince in Middle East: Acland Papers, as well as Prothero and Bradley.

p. 57 Prince’s opinion of William Knollys: Knollys Papers (Kent County Record Office, U1186 C/47, undated [June 1883]).

p. 57 Queen Victoria’s letter about William Knollys: Knollys Papers, 9 July 1862 (Kent County Record Office, U1186 C6/2). ‘I know of no other person so fitted as General Knollys,’ Queen Victoria added, ‘for he possessed beloved Papa’s great esteem and confidence, he is very amiable, particularly pleasant and agreeable and has great experience of the world.… He is besides very fond of young people.’

p. 59 William Knollys on Prince’s happiness: Knollys Papers (U1186 C1/2, undated).

p. 61 Queen Victoria’s horror of Princess Alexandra’s mother’s family: Paget Papers, quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 61.

p. 63 The ugly bridesmaids: Lady Geraldine Somerset’s diary in the Royal Archives. This and other extracts quoted by Georgina Battiscombe.

p. 63 Prince’s height: Archives of Messrs Henry Poole & Co. In 1860 the Prince’s waist measured 39? in. and his seat 45 in. In 1905 his waist had expanded to 47 in. and his seat to 46? in.

p. 64 Princess late for wedding: Lincolnshire Papers, 13 March 1863.

p. 67 Prince’s contribution to Frogmore mausoleum: Knollys Papers (U1186

C38). Sir Charles Phipps wrote to Knollys on 3 May 1863: ‘I think that the Prince of Wales can hardly realize all the expences that have fallen upon the Queen by the sad events of the last three years.… The Queen’s expences have far outgrown Her income and were it not for a fund which I have with great care collected and set by she could not get on. This in the STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.… I hope that the expence of the Mausoleum will be spread over many years. I endeavour upon all occasions to advocate a very slow progress. I should be very sorry to pretend to interfere in any way in the financial arrangements of the Prince of Wales but I may hint to you that His Royal Highness has a very large capital still … which might be made available for this purpose. I have not hinted any of this to the Queen and I should earnestly hope it may not come to her knowledge for this is the point upon which she would be most tender.’

p. 68 Increase in Prince’s income: Knollys Papers (U1186 C1/6). On 23

March 1865 General Knollys asked Phipps if there would be any objection to the Prince’s going to see Gladstone ‘on the subject of an increase to the £40,000 annuity.… It appears that several members of both Houses have told H.R.H. that there would be no difficulty now in getting his income increased, and that it would be better to ask for it while this feeling was warm.’ Nothing came of the Prince’s approach.

p. 69 Lady Macclesfield on Sandringham: Macclesfield Papers. This and other extracts quoted by Georgina Battiscombe.

pp. 70–71 Gladstone at Sandringham: Edward Hamilton’s diaries, B.M. Add.

MSS. 48, pp. 630–83. These have now been edited by Dudley W.R. Bahlman. This and all subsequent quotations from the diaries are taken from this edition. In May 1886 Queen Victoria made ‘a devil of a row’ about Gladstone and John Morley being asked to Sandringham (Rosebery Papers, 3 May 1886).

p. 71 The Bishop of Peterborough at Sandringham was William Connor Magee. The quotation is from Macdonnel’s Life.

p. 77 Prince’s request for information about ‘present political crisis’: Devonshire MSS. (340.527), 12 March 1873.

p. 84 General Knollys’s excuses: Knollys Papers (U1186 C1/2), 17 October 1864. ‘The parting at Copenhagen which took place on board the Osborne was painful to witness,’ Knollys added, ‘the King [of Denmark] particularly showing much distress.’

p. 90 Knollys on sailors’ rude song: Royal Archives, quoted by Georgina Battiscombe, p. 89.

p. 93 Lady Carrington’s complaints: Carrington MSS., 17 December 1865, 22 December 1865, 13 August 1866 (County of Buckingham Record Office, D/CN C5).

p. 93 Parties at Wynn-Carrington’s: Lincolnshire Papers, 20 February 1868. pp. 93–94 Prince and racing: The Queen’s letters to Prince Arthur’s governor, Sir Howard Elphinstone, are replete with warnings about the dangers of horse-racing: ‘It is deeply regretted by all that Ascot should be visited THIS year [1872] by the Prince of Wales, and the Queen has done ALL she can to prevent it, but in vain.… It is not because the Queen thinks (and the Prince [Consort] still more) races the dullest things in the world, that she is so anxious that the Prince of Wales, and if he won’t, that Prince Arthur should discountenance them as much as possible but on account of the horrible gambling, the ruin to hundreds of families and the heart-breaking of Parents caused thereby which lowers the higher classes frightfully.’ (McClintock, p. 148.) Towards the end of her life the Queen’s attitude softened, and for Christmas 1895 she gave the Prince of Wales two models of jockeys (Rosebery Papers, National Library of Scotland, MSS. 10016).

p. 94 Prince’s letters to Filmer: Filmer MSS., Kent County Record Office (U120 C77). Energetic as the Prince was, even he was sometimes exhausted by his guests at Sandringham. ‘The Bishop arrived here today and is in great force,’ he once reported to Dean Wellesley; ‘he played four rubbers of whist after dinner — then American Bowles with Dr Farre — and it is now 2 in the morning & he has just commenced a game at billiards with that eminent Physician’ (Wellington MSS., 13 April 1871).

p. 96 Farmer’s description of Sandringham shoot: ‘The Lady Farmer,’

Eighteen Years on the Sandringham Estate (Temple Co., 1887).

p. 99 Foundation of Marlborough Club: Lincolnshire Papers. ‘In 1917,’ Lincolnshire added, ‘the Marlborough Club was on its last legs. Sir Ernest Cassel (a German Jew) offered to finance it; but the members would not stand that; and King George V saved the club by producing £7,000.’

p. 100 Lord Carrington’s advice to his son: Carrington Papers, 2 March 1863. p. 101 Royal Buckhounds at Paddington: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

p. 101 Queen Victoria’s criticism of Prince at time of Phipps’s death: Knollys Papers (U1186 C6/4), 26 February 1866.

p. 105 Princess Alexandra on happiness of her marriage: Downe Papers, 18

May 1869 (North Yorkshire Record Office, ZDS/W, 100).

pp. 108–109 Disturbance at Olympic Theatre: Lincolnshire Papers, 2 March 1870. p. 110 Prince at House of Lords: ‘The Prince performed capitally yesterday in the House of Lords,’ Lord Carrington told his son on 6 February 1863, ‘not nervous and very dignified and well received’ (Carrington Papers, D/CN C1/9).

pp. 111–112 Mrs Francis Stonor on Prince in tears: Royal Archives, quoted by Georgina Battiscombe, p. 112.

p. 123 Appointment of Francis Knollys: Knollys Papers (U1186 C25/8).

Queen Victoria was justified in her fears that, as a young man, Francis Knollys’s morals were not above reproach. In April 1873 he accompanied the Prince to Vienna, where, ‘before hearing that almost all the ladies of the town were reported to be poxed’, he went with ‘about as low a woman’ as he had ever come across and afterwards confessed to his friend, Rosebery, that he was ‘in a horrible fright’ (Rosebery Papers, MS. 10016, 29 April 1873).

p. 123 Prince and Scots Fusiliers: Knollys Papers (U1186 C18/1), 13

September 1870.

p. 123 Lord Granville on Prince: Henry Ponsonby’s Papers, quoted by Arthur Ponsonby, p. 102.

pp. 129–130 Princess Alexandra and India: Downe Papers, 21 March 1877. A letter from Lady Downe, written in India, made Princess Alexandra ‘regret ten times more’ that she was not allowed to ‘have a glimpse at least of that glorious East’ which she feared she would never see (Downe Papers, 2DS/W/102).

p. 130 Queen Victoria’s instructions about Indian visit: Salisbury Papers, 5 June 1875.

p. 132 Albert Grey’s letters to his mother and his journal, quoted throughout this chapter, are in the Earl Grey Papers, Department of Palaeography and Diplomatic, University of Durham, MSS. pp. 216–17.

p. 132 Lord Carrington’s comments on the tour are extracted from the Lincolnshire Papers, MS. 1120.

p. 135 Prince in Delhi: Grey Papers. A private soldier in the Eighth Regiment who formed part of the Prince’s guard thought that his reception in Delhi was very subdued (MS. Letters of Private John Whitworth, Merseyside County Museum, Liverpool). ‘Any notion the natives may have entertained of the pomp and grandeur they were about to witness must have been quickly dissipated, as, riding with a lot of staff officers, the Prince was in no way conspicuous and was not I believe recognised by the majority of the natives. Slowly the procession wound its way thro the line of troops — the Prince conversing now with one now with another of the officers around him. Whether the natives testify their loyalty in a manner different to us or whether they were disappointed at the lack of show I know not. But certain it is that very few cheers greeted his advent. One “Champagne Charley” style of European tried by the force of example to call forth a hurrah from his black neighbours, but the effort was in vain. The attempt was, however, acknowledged by a graceful inclination of his Royal H’s head.… The procession pursued its course, the Prince occasionally being called on to acknowledge the waving of handkerchiefs by European ladies. The whole affair did not last two hours, and the tameness of the reception was certainly the most noticeable feature in it.’

p. 137 Fights between wild animals: Lincolnshire Papers, MS. 1120.

Carrington reported to his mother: ‘8 wild elephants tied by the leg at each end. 18 pairs of naked wrestlers. About a hundred naked spearmen yelling and dancing about and bolting through holes in the walls when the brutes got too close.… Then 2 rhinoceros fought, then two bison — one broke the other’s horn straight off and he got through the bars and escaped. An elephant being driven out seized a chain in his trunk and let drive right and left.… Then a tiger led by ropes appeared, rams fought, and carriages drawn by black bucks and stags galloped about — you can’t imagine such fun. Just like a nightmare.’

p. 138 Prince commended by Lord Salisbury: Salisbury Papers, 13 May 1876. pp. 140–142 Aylesford–Blandford scandal: Papers quoted in companion volume to Randolph S. Churchill’s Winston S. Churchill: Young Statesman.

p. 144 Expedition to St Pancras: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

p. 145 Prince and Wolseley: Devonshire MSS. (340.1528). The Prince wrote to Lord Hartington, at that time Secretary for War, on 17 September 1884:

‘When I gave you the memorandum last week about the Adjutant General of the Indian Army I knew nothing could be done in the matter but only wished you to have some proof how the “Wolseyites”

get everything. I am quite aware that the present Adjutant-General did not fulfil the prescribed conditions but why should Sir T[homas] Baker simply because he is a “Wolseyite” have the same advantage. The whole matter resolves itself into this — however competent or able an officer may be, unless he belongs to the so called mutual admiration society, he has no chance of getting the “good things” in his profession.’ Despite the Prince’s protests, Sir Thomas Baker was nominated Adjutant-General on 10 October.

p. 149 Prince not kept informed: Knollys Papers. The situation did not improve. In 1899 the Prince was ‘much incensed with Mr Chamberlain for not having kept him informed’ on the Transvaal question (Salisbury Papers, 9 September 1899).

p. 150 Prince and Foreign Office Dispatches: Crewe Papers (C/30). ‘My dear Rosebery,’ the Prince was obliged to write soon after he had received the key (Rosebery MSS., 31 January 1893), ‘I am sorry to say that my Cabinet Key has come to grief and I send you its remnants! Can you let me have another? I only hope the Cabinet is not as ricketty as the Key!’

p. 152 Everyone afraid of Queen Victoria: ‘I was presented to Queen Victoria at Balmoral after dinner,’ Lord Carrington wrote in his journal on 31 August 1866. ‘As we were driving home [to Abergeldie] the Prince of Wales asked me, “Were you frightened?” I answered, “Well no, but I pretended to be as I thought the Queen would like it.”’

p. 153 Princess Alexandra and Queen Victoria: Downe Papers (2DS/W/97), 8 April 1901.

p. 153 Princess Alexandra and Prince: Downe Papers (2DS/W/101), 10

August 1871.

p. 159 ‘I asked him to tea’ and ‘she had cooled off and become reasonable’:

Pearson’s Magazine, October 1916, quoted by Margaret Blunden, p. 67.

pp. 160–161 Prince’s protest about Adjutant-General to Duke of Cambridge: FitzGeorge Papers, quoted by Giles St Aubyn, pp. 289–90.

p. 161 Lord Hartington’s advice about Tranby Croft: Devonshire MSS. (340.2385), 4 May 1891.

p. 162 Gordon Cumming sympathizers: Gordon Cumming Papers (National Library of Scotland, Box 172/2).

p. 163 Lord Salisbury’s letter: Devonshire MSS. (2387), 16 June 1891.

p. 163 Francis Knollys and the Archbishop: Devonshire MSS. (2389), 20

June 1891.

p. 164 Gordon Cumming’s daughter: Information given to Anita Leslie’s family.

p. 164 Lord Charles Beresford’s letter: Salisbury Papers, 12 July 1891. All the correspondence between the Beresfords and the Prince, as well as the letter from Lord Marcus Beresford, comes from the Salisbury Papers.

p. 167 Prince’s letters to Lady Brooke are quoted by Theo Lang.

p. 168 Lady Warwick to Frank Harris: Pearson’s Magazine, quoted by Margaret Blunden, p. 91.

p. 169 Cleveland Street affair: Papers in Public Record Office (DPP 1/95/

1–7). The Prince’s emissaries were Sir Francis Knollys and Sir Dighton Probyn. The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions reported to the Director on 16 September 1889 that Lord Arthur Somerset’s solicitor was boasting that ‘if we go on a very distinguished person will be involved (P.A.V.)’ — Prince Albert Victor. ‘I don’t mean to say that I for one instant credit it,’ the Deputy Director added, ‘but in such a case as this one never knows what may be said, be concocted or be true.’ This is the only reference to Prince Eddy in the whole of the huge file on the case, and in the opinion of the Director (17

September 1889) the solicitor concerned was ‘a dangerous man’ who was quite likely to make ‘utterly false accusations against others’. Prince Eddy was certainly not a regular client at 19 Cleveland Street, as the police were watching the brothel over a long period of time, during which Lord Arthur Somerset was seen, shadowed and identified.

p. 169 Prince considers Somerset’s involvement ‘inconceivable’: Lincolnshire Papers, 20 October 1889.

p. 169 Prince’s verdict on Somerset: Salisbury Papers, 25 October 1889.

p. 172 Mrs Keppel ‘much toadied’ to: Lincolnshire Papers, MS., 1120. Lord Carrington attributed Princess Alexandra’s dislike of Sir Ernest Cassel to Mrs Keppel’s close friendship with him.

p. 172 Count Mensdorff diaries are quoted by Gordon Brook-Shepherd.

pp. 172–173 Mrs Keppel and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Private information from the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres.

p. 174 Prince and Jaraczewski in Paris: Dossier du Roi Edouard VII, Bureau des Archives, Préfecture de Police, 150100, A.I.

pp. 175–176 Cassel and G.C.B.: Asquith Papers, 18 December 1908.

p. 177 Marlborough House dinner for actors: Lincolnshire Papers.

p. 178 The Asquith, Sandars, Hardinge, Devonshire and Rosebery Papers all contain several requests from the Prince for favours and appointments for his friends. The requests on behalf of Ferdinand Rothschild and Canon Dalton are in the Salisbury Papers; that on behalf of Cassel in the Crewe Papers (C/58, 27 April 1901).

p. 179 Prince’s plea to Rosebery to accept Foreign Office: Rosebery Papers, 14 August 1892. ‘Let me therefore implore you to accept office (if Mr Gladstone will give you a free hand in Foreign Affairs and not wish you to agree with him in all his Home measures) for the Queen’s sake and for that of our great Empire!’

p. 179 Letter from Revd H.W. Bellairs: BM Add. MSS. 44468, ff. 149–51.

p. 181 The Duke of Fife in Paris: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

p. 182 Princess Victoria and Rosebery: Rosebery Papers. Knollys’s correspondence with Rosebery is full of references to Princess Victoria. Lord Carrington was once asked at the French Embassy in London if it were true that the Princess was to marry the Marquis de Soveral (Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal).

p. 182 Dalton’s reports on Prince Eddy: Royal Archives, quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 169.

p. 184 Queen Victoria’s good opinion of Prince Eddy: Downe Papers (2DS/ W/68–71), pp. 91–104.

p. 185 Prince Eddy at Aldershot: Lady Geraldine Somerset’s diary, Royal Archives, quoted by Giles St Aubyn, p. 299.

p. 187 Prince Eddy’s treatment and last illness: Downe Papers (2DS/W/

68–71).

p. 187 Prince at son’s funeral: Lincolnshire Papers.

p. 192 Munshi’s letters from Queen Victoria: Minto MSS., 20 October 1909. p. 193 Carrington on Esher: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal. p. 193 Installation of Carrington as K.G.: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

pp. 193–197 King’s clothes: Henry Poole & Co.’s records. After Henry Poole’s death in 1876 the firm received few further orders from Marlborough House. Messrs Huntsman and Son, who received a royal warrant in 1865, became the favourite tailors.

p. 198 Queen Alexandra motoring: Londonderry Papers, Durham County Record Office (D/LO/F. 1127).

p. 199 King on motor-racing: Chilston MSS., Kent County Record Office (U564. C9., 4 February 1903).

p. 200 King wins Derby for third time: Seth-Smith, pp. 261–64. Minoru was not owned by the King but had been leased to his Majesty with five other yearlings in 1907 by Colonel Hill Walker, later Lord Wavertree.

p. 201 Moneylenders outside French hotels: Préfecture de Police, Dossier 150100, A.I. The police reports contain many references to the Prince’s alleged attempts to borrow money in France. One report (4 November 1885) asserts that he has been lent five million francs by the Duc d’Aumfile in exchange for a promise that one of his daughters will marry a prince of the House of Orléans on his coming to the throne. Another report (16 February 1889) refers to persistent rumours that the Prince is urgently in need of 200,000 francs, which he has tried to raise with the help of Mme Goblet, an antique dealer.

p. 202 Queen late for luncheon: The chef was Gabriel Tschumi — his memoirs, pp. 105–6.

p. 203 Felix Semon’s memoirs are quoted by Sir Sidney Lee.

p. 203 Lord Allington’s daughter (Winifred Sturt) at Sandringham: Hardinge Papers, quoted by Magnus, p. 222.

p. 204 Evenings at Sandringham: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

pp. 206–207 King’s slip in speech in Italy: Hardinge Papers, 30 April to 5 May 1909. p. 207 King and Beresford: Lincolnshire Papers. In 1909 the King told Carrington that Beresford was ‘one mass of vanity’ and was ‘not straight.’ He seemed ‘delighted’ at Beresford’s being ‘snuffed out’.

p. 209 King’s complaint about papers: Asquith Papers, 25 October 1908, 24 July 1909. Lloyd George was a particular offender. The King strongly objected to his writing ‘Mr Lloyd George presents his humble duty …’ instead of the more formal and customary ‘The Chancellor of the Exchequer presents…’

p. 210 Balfour’s rebuff: Haldane Papers, National Library of Scotland (MSS., 5907–8/41–3), 15 July 1908.

p. 210 Campbell-Bannerman’s ‘bad taste’: Chilston MSS., Kent County Record Office (U564. C9, 3 March 1905).

p. 211 Winston Churchill talks ‘simple nonsense’: Ibid.

p. 211 Knollys’s dislike of Churchill: Rosebery Papers, 20 January 1908.

Knollys to Rosebery: ‘Winston Churchill is to be asked to Windsor for a couple of nights. Personally I don’t admire or care for him, but I think the King is quite right to take some notice of him.’

p. 211 Haldane ‘always acceptable’: Rosebery Papers, 14 December 1908.

p. 213 Band of Coldstream Guards in Germany: Haldane Papers, 8 October 1907. Haldane to Grey: ‘The King feels that, though the German Embassy may be satisfied with the explanation given them by the Foreign Office, when the German Emperor hears of what has taken place, as he probably will, it will sound extraordinary to him that the Sovereign of this Country … cannot even send a military band abroad without the approval of the Foreign Office.’

p. 213 King’s letter about Sinha: Minto MSS., 21 May 1909 (National Library of Scotland, 4E. 346).

pp. 214–215 Balfour’s letter about Shah: Royal Archives, quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 305.

p. 218 Princess Alexandra’s memorandum on Heligoland: Devonshire MSS., 340. 2236. In sending the memorandum the Princess refers to it as having been written by herself.

p. 218 Queen Alexandra and Greece: Clarendon Papers, 1 May 1870.

pp. 218–219 Prince George’s reliance on father: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

pp. 218–219 Prince George’s fondness of father: Lloyd George: Family Letters, 1885–1936 (9 May 1910): ‘The King [George V] exceedingly nice. Talked a good deal about his father, of whom he was evidently very fond. His eyes, suffused with tears.’

p. 229 The King’s friend at the Paris Exhibition was Mrs Paget — letter quoted by Sewell, p. 81.

p. 231 ‘Poor old Buller!’: ‘Felix Semon’s Memoirs’. In Lord Carrington’s journal the difficult guest is not a bishop but the aged Lord Salisbury.

p. 231 Duke of Devonshire’s letter: Devonshire MSS., 4.171, 15 November 1872.

pp. 232–233 King’s entourage and his visit to Alnwick: Duke of Northumberland’s archives.

p. 233 King’s visit to Mount Stewart: Londonderry Papers, D/LO/F.1127.

pp. 234–235 Entertaining royalty: Lincolnshire Papers. The King’s hosts were sometimes rewarded with a K.C.V.O. Lord Iveagh received a G.C.V.O. with which he was ‘hugely delighted’ (7 January 1910).

pp. 237–238 King in France: Préfecture de Police, Dossier 150100, A.I. The King usually stayed at the Hôtel de Provence at Cannes. In February 1887, after he had attended the carnival at Nice dressed as Domino and masked, the police reported, ‘Il s’amuse comme un jeune homme, rit de toutes les scènes grotesques et, de retour, prend grand plaisir ? raconter les èpisodes de la journée.’ Detectives often followed the King to the casino at Monte Carlo. He was usually unlucky, although a rumour that he lost 200,000 francs in April 1890 was described as ‘inexact’. He was once overheard by a detective remarking cheerfully to one of his companions, ‘If you want to win, play with me. I always lose.’

p. 239 King in Denmark: Rosebery Papers, MS., 10016/66. Francis Knollys dreaded having to accompany the King, although the Queen thought that he enjoyed the visits. Knollys commented to Rosebery, ‘How little she knows human nature!’

p. 247 ‘A cloud of bluebottle flies’: The British visitor was Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. The quotations from the Campbell-Bannerman Papers on this and the following page are from John Wilson’s biography, pp. 143–45.

p. 247 Sophie Hall Walker at Marienbad: Information from Anita Leslie.

p. 250 ‘Pawn in the game’: Eyre Crowe’s comment is quoted by Lord Vansittart, p. 46.

pp. 251–255 King’s visit to Pope: Rampolla’s, Sandars’s, Balfour’s and Bertie’s letters and telegrams are in the Sandars Papers, Balfour–Edward VII Correspondence, 23 March 1903 to 29 April 1903. The other letters and Hardinge’s reports are from the Hardinge Papers. Hardinge’s description of his interview with Rampolla is in the Sandars Papers, 29

April 1903. Knollys remained persistently opposed to the visit. On 23

April he wrote to Hardinge from the Imperial Hotel, Exmouth: ‘I shall be very sorry if it takes place.… The argument that the King when he was Prince of Wales called on the Pope is hardly to the point now, as an heir apparent can do many things which it is not advisable a Sovereign should.’

pp. 255–256 Marquis de Soveral’s letters are quoted by Gordon Brook-Shepherd. pp. 256–257 King’s attitude towards republicans: Préfecture de Police, Dossier 150100, A.I. (11 February 1874).

pp. 258–260 King in Paris: Préfecture de Police, Dossier 150100, A.I., 1–8

May 1903.

p. 261 The Prince’s reception in Cork in 1885: The equerry was Arthur Ellis.

His description is quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 189.

p. 264 Letter from Knollys to Asquith: Asquith Papers, 5 June 1908.

p. 267 Bismarck ‘hated the Prince of Wales’: Rosebery Papers, 24 March 1889.

p. 268 Sir Augustus Paget’s letter to Prince: Royal Archives, quoted by Philip Magnus, p. 209.

p. 271 Kaiser at Sandringham: Rosebery Papers, 26 November 1899.

p. 274 King on ‘public men in Germany’: Rosebery Papers, 19 February 1900. pp. 275–276 Hardinge’s reports to Grey (July 1916): ‘Secret Cabinet Paper recording conversations which Lord (then Sir Charles) Hardinge had when Edward VII visited German Emperor and Emperors of Austria and Russia in 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909’. Copy in Hardinge Papers.

p. 277 Kaiser’s conversation with King in Berlin: Grosse Politik der Europaischen Kabinette, 28, No. 10260, quoted by Brook-Shepherd, p. 345.

p. 282 King consults gypsy: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal. p. 283 King and Arthur Ponsonby: Elibank Papers, National Library of Scotland. ‘The King resents that Ponsonby, with his name, with his having been in the Diplomatic Service, and after having been Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s private secretary, should have voted as he did’ (18 June 1908). The King ultimately relented, however, and gave instructions for Ponsonby ‘to be invited to the Court Ball’ on 10 July 1908 (Asquith Papers).

p. 284 King on suffragettes: Asquith Papers, 3 June 1908.

p. 284 Florence Nightingale and O.M.: Sandars Papers, 6 November 1903. p. 284 Women on Divorce Commission: Asquith Papers, 5 September 1909.

pp. 284–285 Whitehall procession: Lincolnshire Papers, Lord Carrington’s journal.

pp. 285–286 King’s complaint about Asquith’s colleagues: Asquith Papers, 19

July 1909.

p. 297 Carrington at deathbed: Lincolnshire Papers, Carrington’s journal.

As Lord Great Chamberlain, Carrington supervised the arrangements of the lying-in-state in Westminster Hall: ‘17 May 1910. I dressed and went into Westminster Hall. Everything in perfect order.… Then Big Ben began to toll, the Dead Match was heard and the procession filed into Palace Yard.… The sight was most impressive. He lay there in the presence of the royal family, high officials and the two Houses of the Lords and Commons. The widowed Queen stood next to her son dressed in the simplest way … no trimmings or ornaments of any kind. She scarcely looked forty, so slim and upright and trim. The new King wore naval uniform and the Garter. When the service was over [his mother] knelt a few moments in prayer, and then he took her by the hand and led her away.… Poor Princess Victoria looked hopelessly miserable. Princess Christian, Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice, all old women now … and my oldest and best friend stiff and cold in his coffin.… The Hall looked magnificent, a silence that could be felt; and the officers standing immovable at their posts.… It was a wet night but the crowds stood patiently through the dark hours — a forest of umbrellas and people shivering and stamping their feet to keep warm.… Quite 25,000 were unable to obtain admission when the gates were shut at 10 p.m. Yet all day [the procession past the coffin] had gone on.… New carpets have been put down as they were completely worn out.… At eleven the King of Portugal came with Soveral [who was] terribly pale and upset. He held my hand for quite two minutes saying over and over again, “This is too awful.” He then knelt and prayed before the coffin.… He feels the King’s death terribly.…

19 May 1910. We had a hard morning — many people trying to get in who had no right.… At 1.45 we had notice that King George and the Emperor of Germany were coming to Westminster Hall at 2.45 and that the Hall was to be closed for three quarters of an hour. The police were aghast, and said they could not be responsible for anything that might happen. So I got a taxi and went off to Buckingham Palace and met Francis Knollys coming out. He took me to the Household Dining Room where the German suite were having luncheon and [I arranged for the Emperor to go through the Star Chamber Court so that he could lay his wreath] without any stoppage of the crowd.… I received a telephone message from Probyn saying that the Queen Mother desired me to take off the label on her wreath and send it to her.… The inscription read, “For my beloved husband from his broken-hearted and lonely wife, Alix.”… A curious thing happened last night. Just as Queen Alexandra was momentarily expected, the Speaker and Arthur James and some ladies in evening dress passed into the Peers’ enclosure. One of them was Mrs George Keppel … and the Queen Mother expected every minute! An awkward situation. [Lewis Harcourt, the First Commissioner of Works], to my astonishment, volunteered to go and get rid of them, and so saved the position. Mrs Keppel walked back into the Speaker’s House: and a very great difficulty was avoided.… Queen Alexandra had her veil up and seemed perfectly calm: she looked beautiful.… I then ordered the Palace to be shut up and went to bed. Winston Churchill and a large party drew up: luckily Pom McDonnell [Sir Schomberg McDonnell, Secretary to the Office of Works] had not left and he absolutely refused them admittance. With this party was a brute of an American who pushed by and peeped round the screen, which was put to block the view, and came back grinning, saying, “I’ve seen him after all.” The Beast! … The behaviour of the crowds has been simply marvellous. People waiting patiently for hours. Hundreds passed the night in the rain. They all went by from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. quietly and reverently without intermission. Many curtsied, Catholics knelt and crossed themselves, children in arms were carried past. There was no noise, no pushing, no confusion.…

May 20 1910 … I was in the Hall by 7.45. It turned out a gloriously fine day.… The gun carriage and escort were waiting and everything ready about 9.15. The King, the German Emperor and eight kings rode into the yard [actually seven — of Denmark, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Norway, Portugal and Spain]. They dismounted and Queen Alexandra, the Empress of Russia, the Princess Royal and Princess Victoria drove up. The Queen and the Empress got out and I took them into the Hall, where the Archbishop conducted a short service. The coffin was then … carried to the gun carriage. The equerries placed the pall on the coffin. The German Emperor kissed the Queen as he handed her into the carriage. The Queen patted the neck of the late King’s charger and Caesar, the King’s dog, which was led by the Highland Piper; and my duties were over.’

pp. 297–298 King’s consideration: Knollys, Carrington, Hardinge Papers. The King had not always been so thoughtful as a younger man. Francis Knollys told Rosebery in 1885: ‘April is [Harry Stonor’s] month of waiting and he naturally expected to go to Ireland. Yesterday, however, the Prince told me he had been thinking it over and that he thought Ellis would be more useful. I am afraid Harry, though of course he will not say so or admit it, will feel it a little. I wish the Prince would not do these things, as people who are fond of him cannot but be a little “hurt” by them.’ (Rosebery MSS., 16 March 1885.)