King Edward had a roving eye
King Edward VII has the distinction of being the heir apparant to the throne longer than any other monarch in British history. Born in November 1841, he was not crowned until 1901, upon the death of his mother, Queen Victoria. This ended the dull, pious Victorian Era. Edward managed to put his stamp on the next decade. It is known as the Edwardian Age. After the mandatory year of mourning, his reign was highlighted by gaity, luxury and hedonistic pleasure.
Their playboy son had long been a trial for Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1861 his father visited him at Cambridge to reprimand him for an affair with an actress. Prince Albert died of typhoid fever two weeks later. The queen blamed her son. She retreated into mourning and seclusion for the rest of her life.
Victoria decided the best antidote for Edward's roving eye was to marry him off to one of the great royal beauties of that time, Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Luckily, the bride was as wise and understanding as she was beautiful. She instinctively knew there was no cure for his philandering. Edward would always have affairs and mistresses. But she determined that none would come from her royal entourage. She chose as her ladies-in-waiting plain looking, middle aged ladies who would not appeal to the king. Her success is documented by a comment the Shah of Persia made to her husband.
When the Shah made a state visit to England, he was introduced to Queen Alexandra and her staff. "These are your wives?," he asked. "They are old and ugly. Have them beheaded and take new and pretty ones."
Edward's mistresses add several interesting footnotes to British history. Actress Lily Langtry (the Jersey Lily) was one. So was American born heiress Jenny Jerome, wife of Lord Randolph Churchill and mother of the valiant World War II Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
History also repeats itself. Alice Keppel was a long term mistress. Alice's great granddaughter, Camilla Parker Bowles, was Prince Charles's mistress for many year while he was married to Princess Diana. Charles is the great grandson of Edward VII. After his divorce from Diana and her tragic death, Charles and Camilla were married and the former mistress became a Duchess.
Edward's roving eye may have given the world a fancy dessert, Crepe Suzettes. There are four versions of how this dish was invented but Hollywood choose to use this one in a movie. Crepes had been around for many years. Take a thin pancake, fill it with fruit compote, bathe it in brandy and serve. This changed in 1895. A clumsy waiter named Henri Carpentier is credited with turning this plebeian dessert into a gourmet offering.
Edward, still Prince of Wales, was vacationing in Monte Carlo. One evening he dined at the Cafe de Paris, where Carpentier was an apprentice waiter, bringing his current favorite, a young lady named Suzette. When he ordered Crepes for dessert, the clumsy apprentice, played by actor Walter Slezak, accidentally set fire to the brandy. The prince loved the flaming dessert. Crepe Suzettes were born, named in honor of his companion.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup sifted flour
2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup milk
3 drops vanilla extract
3 tablespoons brandy
PREPARATION: Combine all ingredients except brandy. Beat until smooth and frothy. Set aside. Butter 6 inch skillet, heat until a drop of water dances on it. Pour in 3 tablespoons batter. Cook for about two minutes until bottom begins to brown. Remove from heat, fill with fruit compote, fold wings over fruit and drench with brandy. Ignite the brandy, being careful that nothing inflamable is near the dish. Serve.
