On 22 January 1901, Edward VII was proclaimed King of the
United Kingdom after the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.
He was crowned on 9 August, 1902. His reign did much to restore lustre to a monarchy that had
shone somewhat dimly during Victoria’s long seclusion as a widow. In 1902 he
resumed his tours of Europe. His geniality and felicitously worded addresses
(conducted in French) during a state visit to Paris in 1903 helped pave the
way, by winning popularity among French citizens of all ranks, for the
Anglo-French Entente Cordiale of 1904. Relations with his nephew
the German emperor William II were not always easy, either
officially or personally. Although incapable of prolonged mental exertion,
Edward was fortunate in his judgment of men. His support for the great military
reforms of the secretary of state for war, Richard Burdon (later
Viscount) Haldane, as well as the naval reforms of the First Sea Lord Sir John
Fisher did much to avert British unpreparedness when World War I started.
In 1909 Edward became involved in a
government crisis after the House of Lords rejected a budget put
forth by Liberal Prime Minister H.H. Asquith. Edward’s
efforts to encourage Conservatives to pass the measure proved
unsuccessful. In the midst of the constitutional battle, Edward died on 6 May 1910.
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