Historical and Commemorative
Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
VISIT OF KING EDWARD AND QUEEN
ALEXANDRA TO THE CITY OF LONDON AT THE GUILDHALL Searle & Co.: England, 1902, Bronze, 72 mm Edward VII (1841-1910), King of Great Britain and
Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, and Emperor of India
(1901-1910), was the son of Queen Victoria. In 1863, Edward married Princess
Alexandra of Denmark, the eldest daughter of Prince Christian of Denmark. He
became king at the age of 60 on Victoria’s death in 1901, but the Boar War
and illness caused the coronation to be postponed until August 1902. As Prince of Wales, Edward was excluded from government
by Victoria because of his lifestyle, which involved him in a number of
social scandals. But Edward's reign, now called the Edwardian period after
him, saw the first official recognition of the office of the Prime Minister,
the modernization of the British Home Fleet, the reform of the Army Medical
Services, and the reorganization of the British army after the Second Boer
War. He also fostered good relations between Great Britain and other
European countries, especially France. He was succeeded by his son, George
V. This medal commemorates the visit of Edward VII and Queen
Alexandra to the Guildhall in London. It was issued on October 25, 1902, a
few months after the King’s coronation, a delay that allowed him to recover
from his operation. The procession associated with this visit traveled from
Eaton Square, to Buckingham Palace and other noteworthy places in London,
finally ending at the Guildhall. At the Guildhall a Royal Address was read
congratulating the king on his coronation and his restoration to health.
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