Albert Edward, or "Bertie" as he was known, was Queen Victoria's second child. He received the title of Prince of Wales a month after he was born.
His conscientious father designed an educational system, perhaps suitable for his elder sister but not for this Prince of Wales as he was not a scholar. Except for his own brothers and sisters, he was brought up without the presence of other children.
Prince Albert, aware of the sensual streak in the House of Hannover as well as in his own family, wanted his son to marry young. After the Prince of Wales's first sexual encounter, Albert was greatly disturbed and pressed for a marriage with Princess Alexandra of Denmark. However, he died before the marriage could be finalized.
Bertie and "Alix" married at Windsor and six children were born between 1864 and 1871. After the birth of the last child, however marital relations probably ceased. Nevertheless, they remained on
affectionate terms for the rest of their lives, though he found satisfaction elsewhere.
Queen Victoria declined to give him any specific tasks and, as heir to the throne, he was barred from the military career as pursued by his younger brothers, Alfred and Arthur.
The Prince of Wales took part in the societies not only of England but also regularly in France. On his mother's behalf he visited Canada and India where he shot tigers. Due to his continental visits he felt
at home there as much as in England. Once he made friends, they were usually for life. Indeed, he proved to be the best of friends in times of adversity, always giving support when needed.

Queen Victoria disapproved, with reason, of many of his friends but this would not stop him from asscociating with them. Louisa, Duchess of Manchester (later known as "Double Duchess" when she married the Duke of Devonshire) was very much disapproved of as she was regarded as "fast". Then there were the Beresford brothers and "that Williams family" who were also regarded by Queen Victoria as "a bad lot".
At first the Prince of Wales was satisfied with "conquests", always with married women, until he was introduced to Lillie Langtry who was his first acknowledged mistress. After their affaire had ended, they remained good friends and, she having made an acting career, the Prince of Wales would, whenever possible, attend the opening night of her plays.
A lady in distress, Daisy, Lady Brooke, came to the Prince of Wales to extricate herself from problems she had created with an ex-lover, Charles Beresford. The Prince of Wales, however, supplied more than
support and "Darling Daisy" now became his mistress. After she had become Countess of Warwick, this affaire, too, ended; but here again they remained friends. His last mistress, and probably his greatest
love, was Mrs. Alice Keppel.
Only later in life did his mother allow him access to state papers and, at long last at the age of sixty in 1901, he became King of Great Britain and Emperor of India. His detailed and first-hand knowledge of
European affairs greatly assisted him in his years as King. However, this period was all too short as he died on 6 May 1910.

Source: Leo van de Pas