Edward VII- Another 10 Years

Edward VII reigned for a short nine years following his mother's six decades in power. What if the son of Queen Victoria, the affable "Uncle of Europe" had had another ten years of life? If he had reigned through the First World War?
He was 59 when he succeeded to the throne and 68 when he died. As has been pointed out he was a heavy smoker and drinker and obese (his favoured exercise was more of the type provided by establishments like Le Chabanais). He'd need to change his lifestyle much earlier to survive a decade more.

But, hey, he could have changed. The obvious consequences are the changes to:
1. The British constitutional crisis of 1910.
2. The beginning of the Great War
3. The question of Home Rule for Ireland[1].

In general Edward was very popular and quite liberal for the time.



[1] And also Scotland.
 
Football was pretty popular at this point wasn't it?
It was and to some extent honestly still is regarded as a working class sport so Bertie actively partaking in it would be somewhat shocking for the upper and middle classes. Polo, riding, golf, tennis, yachting and cricket were regarded as proper gentlemen's sports of the day.
 
It was and to some extent honestly still is regarded as a working class sport so Bertie actively partaking in it would be somewhat shocking for the upper and middle classes. Polo, riding, golf, tennis, yachting and cricket were regarded as proper gentlemen's sports of the day.

This is very true, though given Bertie's own personality what would attract him to it aha
 
Edvard VII sounds like a bit of lad. Liked a drink, smoked like a chimney, upset his parents terribly, traveled widely, spoke several languages, spoilt his grandchildren, upset the politicians, held liberal (for the time) views enjoyed varied and deep extra curricular activities ( nudge nudge, wink wink ,say no more), was called as witness in a divorce trial, liked a flutter on the gee-gees and his last words were, allegedly, to express happiness that his horse had won a race!

(it worth nothing that he lived, despite all of his playboy lifestyle, well beyond the average life expectancy for the period)
 
I love Edward VII, who is much more than just "a bit of a lad" and an underrated figure in British history.

That said, I'm not sure really what people think he could have done to prevent any of the political or international crises that governed the 1910-1920 period of extra life you're giving him. Honestly George V probably did exactly what his father would have done during the political upheaval of 1910-1911. Whilst the family were close, he was instrumental in helping the Government build closer ties with France and Russia before his death and was in strong agreement with the naval programme that lead to the ship building arms race with the German Empire. He wasn't in favour of Home Rule for Ireland or Scotland, but I can't honestly see what he could have done with the political situation as it was.

People always forget on these threads about changes to the British monarchy in the c19th and c20th that this was the period of real parliamentary ascendancy. Edward really didn't have much power to wield.
 
Edward VII reigned for a short nine years following his mother's six decades in power. What if the son of Queen Victoria, the affable "Uncle of Europe" had had another ten years of life? If he had reigned through the First World War?
Likely see WW1 happen, probably even sooner.
 
End result is alot less smoking deaths (as apart from anything else many of the future major tobacco concerns are British) included Bertie who hangs around until the early 20's and plays peacemaker.
So, if Bertie stops smoking, does he perhaps influence his brother-in-law, future Frederick III to quit smoking and give him a chance to not die of throat cancer?
 
The real change would have been victoria living an extra 14 years. Willy adored her and wouldnt have gone to war with her and also might not have had the naval buildup that was a major cause of the anglo-german rivalry
 
The real change would have been victoria living an extra 14 years. Willy adored her and wouldnt have gone to war with her and also might not have had the naval buildup that was a major cause of the anglo-german rivalry
Sadly she was nearly blind, racked with rheumatism and was 81 at her death. Absent modern medicine there is next to no chance of her making 95 and she basically did die a natural death. In contrast Edward was a decade younger and (while not recognised at the time) had committed slow suicide by smoking. As such his life is much easier to extend across the critical time. While the monarchy has since picked up some very good genes for life extension those came from the Queen Mum's side of the family and so are to late to come into play with Victoria.

So, if Bertie stops smoking, does he perhaps influence his brother-in-law, future Frederick III to quit smoking and give him a chance to not die of throat cancer?
That might work, he was much more moderate than his son and probably would have stayed the course on Bismarck's, "Don't cause trouble policy." The thing is the second Reich had won, it was a great power, France was humbled and as long as it didn't try to enter the navy business Britain was okay with it being powerful. Indeed they were more worried about Russia (the great game) and anglo french relations often weren't that great. With a more sensible Kaiser its possible an anglo German alliance might have ensured which would gave changed everything if war had eventually come.

1914 was a close run thing as it was and Russia in the east never really had a chance. Put the BEF on the other side and any fight might end with Paris falling in a short war.
 
If Bertie lives another ten years, WWI as we know it is almost certainly butterflied. He was a much better diplomat than he was given credit for (and he knew his nephews and could keep them in check to a certain extent). So the Communist Revolution never happens (though something may happen in Russia, just not that extreme) and the other Empires keep tottering for another generation until the next potential breakout, even if F-F is still assassinated in Sarajevo.

As for David/Edward VIII - I am almost certain he would be married off to Tatiana or Maria (given Empress Alix was more English than anything else, the British royals would not be spooked by what they already considered the "family disease" and there would have been no betrayal of George V not rescuing cousin Nicholas's family from execution). Olga, given her temperament would not have left Russia, and probably would be made heir Alexis dies (remember NII only abdicated in favor of his brother so he would not be separated from his son and they gave him zero time to come up with other options).
 
Top