I’ve long wanted to watch the British miniseries, Edward the King (1975) (aka Edward the Seventh). When I was in my 20s, I went through a spate of reading biographies of King Edward VII‘s mistresses, as they were all fabulous, glamorous late Victorian women. And the costumes have always looked great! However, the fact that it’s a British TV series from the 1970s always put me off — I knew it would be Bad Videography Time(TM). Well, I was right, but I did find a high-res version of the series on YouTube, so I figured it was time to take one for the team!
See recaps of previous episodes.
The costumes for this series were designed by three designers: Ann Hollowood (Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Merlin) and Sue Le Cash, who worked on The Muppet Show, which is pretty damn cool; Christine Wilson is also credited.
Princess, Alexandra (Alix) has been unwell. She’s pregnant with baby number three (I think). Allegedly part of the problem is all the socializing she and Bertie do. She’s also pissed off because Prussia has taken a province that belongs to Denmark. Queen Victoria is insisting that she go along with it.
One of the many sisters is getting married off. Alix — who’s been recast as an older actress, Helen Ryan (Persuasion, The Duchess of Duke Street, The Elephant Man) — is concerned because she knows whichever princess this is isn’t excited about who she’s marrying. Bertie offers to talk to mom about it, but princess says no; she’s just happy to get away from mom.
Queen Victoria continues to be grumpy about everything, most especially her son’s social life and currently the fact that Alix’s children have all been born premature.
Alix may be sick but that doesn’t mean Bertie can’t socialize with pretty actresses.
Various government people are constantly trying to talk Victoria into letting Bertie have some kind of role in government. She’s having none of it… But holy crap it’s finally happening! The bustle era is emerging! The end of the death of fashion is nigh!
Alix had the baby and is able to travel, although she needs two canes to get around. She and Bertie and Princess Alice (another sister) travel to a spa town in Germany. Alix is still pissed about the province and refusing to meet the crown prince of Prussia.
Alix’s sister Minnie (born Dagmar, now Empress Maria Feodorovna) has married the czar of Russia (Alexander III); she’s now played by Jane Lapotaire (Lady Jane), who passed away recently and who we’ll feature very soon. They show up in the spa town and reinforce Alix’s refusal to see the Prussian prince.
Bertie has to order Alix to receive the Prussian prince. She does so, stating that she only does it for Bertie. She’s very gracious.
Back in England, there is continuing drama about Victoria being unwilling to attend public events. She goes so far as to cancel events when she finds out that Bertie and Alix are going without her.
Bertie is named in a divorce as having had sex with the wife. Although he’s not actually charged, he hast to give testimony in court. Victoria is livid. Alix is incredibly hurt and despite Bertie saying nothing happened she announces she’s taking the kids and going to Denmark.
Alix is back from Denmark. Bertie hasn’t been feeling well. He collapses – it’s typhoid!
Everyone thinks Bertie is going to die. Victoria shows up and you can tell that secretly she’s rooting for team death.
Bertie recovers! Hooray! Throughout the episode, there’s been all kinds of rumblings of anti-monarchical feeling across the country, exacerbated by the fact that Victoria won’t be seen in public. Bertie’s almost death and recovery has changed the game!
There’s a national service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. You can tell Victoria is pissed that she had to go outside.
Victoria decides that the church service was enough to restore excitement about the monarchy and she nixes yet another position for Bertie.
Join me in a National Service of Thanksgiving for the Advent of the Bustle Era!
