The King in Love: Edward VII's Mistresses

A good read. This is an insight into the life of probably one of the greatest womaniser of all times. Not a particularly attractive man he managed to lure into his web some beautiful women. His wife Queen Alexandra must have been a saint to put up with him, and strangely enough it appears she really did love him. His most notable paramour was Alice Keppel, a true beauty, who apparently, was at his bedside when he died. This book has great entertainment value - Edward the VII was unique, he had it all, wealth, an understanding wife, and a bevy of women only too willing to take on the role of mistress. Had he not been royal I doubt if he would have been given a second glance, but he certainly took advantage of his status - he led a life of decadence and over indulgence - his mother, Queen Victoria never liked him, in fact she and her consort, Prince Albert, despaired of him. He did some good, however, when he eventually became King. Highly recommended, very entertaining.

All the time I was reading this book, I kept asking myself 'Why am I reading this book?' It is well written enough, but these scandals of over 100 years ago have little relevance or interest today. I am gradually losing my taste for reading about the royals, whether yesterday or today.So Edward (Bertie to family and friends) was a libertine in his youth and a serial adulterer in his maturity. The women he found fascinating were somewhat interesting, but not enough to warrant my giving up several hours of my life reading about them.I'm swearing off the royal family, past and present.

Although there is a great deal of documented history in this book, it reads like a modern soap opera. It's fun, though, to learn more about the human side of "our betters." The writing is very good, and the author's choice to focus on King Edward's three main mistresses provides an in-depth look at the lives of (admittedly privileged) women at the beginning of the 20th century.

A well written historical account of Edward's philandering in Victorian England. Book seemed well researched and gave great insights into Edward's mistresses as well as his wife, mother (Queen Victoria) and himself. I think this book would be of great interest to anyone who enjoys reading about this chapter of English history. It never felt like you were reading a textbook but more like a very interesting novel.

A well-researched, readable and fascinating look at the private life of Edward VII. It is also an interesting insight into the lives of the aristocracy in England between 1900 and the outbreak of World War One, which changed forever the rigid class structure. Weekend house parties at country estates were occasions for partner swapping - all quite acceptable, and actually assisted by the "below stairs" staff. The fact that Edward, married as he was, could sustain, one after the other, three long-term extra marital affairs, speaks volumes for the decadence of British "society" during this period.A fantastic read!

If you love history you will enjoy this book, it's a book at you can but down for a few days and then pick up and keep on reading.

THE KING IN LOVE WAS FILLED WITH INFORMATION I FOUND EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND NEW. OTHER BOOKS HINTED AT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HIS RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIS MISTRESSES BUT THIS BOOK FILLED IN A LOT OF THE GAPS. FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN ANYTHING ROYAL, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR THEM. VERY WELL WRITTEN AND FULL OF INTERESTING BACKGROUNDS OF THE RELATIONSHIPS.

Apparently Edward VII could keep his pants on. Poor Queen Alexandra tried so hard to turn a blind eye asApparently King Edward VII could not keep his pants on. He paraded his many mistress in public and bought them off when he was tired of them. Poor Queen Alexandra produced about 6 children for him but had to turn a blind eye to his fiilandering. Eddie was a cad.

This is a fairly straightforward account of the three women who were Edward VII's longer lasting mistresses. He had innumerable affairs throughout his life, but the women documented here - Lillie Langtry, Daisy Warwick and Alice Keppel - were the three who had the longest relationships with him. Their backgrounds varied, but they all shared traits which attracted Edward - beauty, intelligence and vivacity - along with compliant husbands!The book is not a biography of either Edward, or the three women. It gives some background for all four, but concentrates on the most intense period of each relationship, as well as what happened to them in later life. Edward comes across as the worst of the lot; a decent enough man, but shallow, rather stupid, and very aware of his own status. Although each relationship lasted some time, there doesn't seem to be any real love involved on either side, and it is sometimes difficult to see what either side got out of it, apart from the obvious. There was perhaps room for a bit more analysis in this direction.All in all, a very readable book, in a slightly old-fashioned way.

Such an interesting lively account of Court life in the Edwardian era, with also a glance at the lives of the " common folk". The five main characters being The King, The three Mistresses and The Queen. The court life and private life of each revealed so much about English and continental political influence and power, even corruption. Also the role of women in society was written with clarity and frankness. A thoroughly interesting, amusing and passionate account of Royalty, hypocrisy,loyalty and self preservation combined to create a refreshing twist to the much publicized lives of the Edwardian Era.

I have to say this was the first book about this era that I've read - but I couldn't put it down. Love the author's writing style and it's full of interesting details about the era.Was particularly amused by the professional beauties (PBs) - of which Lillie Langtry was one. The detail that society ladies would add on to their invites that the "PBs will be coming" (to tempt people into attending their soirees) just sounded so Kardashian-like.Very interesting to compare the similarities and differences between the 3 women. And poor Alexandra.Recommend it.

This marvellous book kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. The subjects leap off the page and make the book an utterly compelling read. The fine literary style of the author is apparent throughout. What more can I say-enjoyable, educational and entertaining.

This account recreates the late Victorian and Edwardian world of the aristocracy and royalty. It captures the atmosphere of the time whilst avoiding sentimentality and sycophancy. The larger-than-life characters are given evenly balanced treatment, which does not take at all from the glamour of that soon to be swept away era.