Alice Edmonstone was born in Scotland, the youngest daughter of Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet. As minor nobility, she grew up in Duntreath Castle and was a part of upper class society. She married George Keppel, the seventh son of 7th Earl of Albemarle. George was a soldier in the British Army, and as a younger son of the Earl, had a limited income. To supplement their lifestyle among the upper echelon of society, Alice offered her services as a lover to richer men. She first embarked on an affair with Ernest Beckett, 2nd Baron Grimthorpe. Some Keppel relations believed that Beckett was the father of Alice's daughter, Violet. George encouraged Alice's affairs, and despite their love for each other, he also indulged in extramarital relations. The arrangement seemed to work out for the Keppels, and they were able to provide a loving family unit for their two children: Violet and Sonia.
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| Alice Keppel |
Alice had a friendly and flirtatious nature that caused her to become very popular in Edwardian society. Her daughter, Violet, stated: "She not only had a gift of happiness but she excelled in making others happy, she resembled a Christmas tree laden with presents for everyone". She was described as having flawless light skin, large blue eyes and the coveted Edwardian wasp figure with a small waist and large bust.
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| Edward VII of the United Kingdom |
When Alice was 29, she caught her biggest fish: the heir to the British throne, Edward, Prince of Wales. Edward was 56 and known for his many love affairs, much to his mother's chagrin. Edward took after his Hanover side, instead of the exalted side of his father, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Although Edward had unappealing bulgy features and an expanding girth, as well as a beautifully young looking wife, Alexandra of Denmark, he still attracted many beauties given his exalted status. Alice and Edward's affair lasted from 1898 until his death in 1910. She was able to provide Edward emotional stability that many mistresses could not. Even Alexandra was tolerant of Alice, as she showed her respect that Edward's other mistresses did not.
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| Alice in costume for a grand ball |
Edward became Alice's benefactor as well, allowing her to use his connections to secure a better job for her husband as well as shares in businesses. From her shares, Alice earned the equivalent of £7.5 million today. Alice also advised Edward in the realm of politics. Many politicians, especially Liberals, used Alice as a go between with the King, and were able to influence his thinking. While she held sway over Edward in the matters of business and politics, she was unable to convince the King to give up his vices. Alice wanted Edward to stop smoking and eat healthier; however, he refused.
When Edward was dying, Alexandra permitted Alice to be at his bedside. Edward even forced Alexandra to kiss Alice to demonstrate that she sanctioned the relationship. Unlike Alexandra who showed great stoicism at her husband's death, Alice had to be removed from the King's remove due to her hysterics. The next king, Alexandra's son George, quietly exiled Alice from the court.
Alice and her husband, flush with cash but relieved of their social standing, left England. First they stayed some time in Ceylon, but returned to England during World War I. After the war was over, they spent much of their time in Italy, only returning to England again during the Second World War. While in Italy, they hosted English expats and their daughters, who were both married. Alice was said to be scandalized when Edward's grandson, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.
Alice's daughter, Violet, was known as a socialite and author, a friend of the Bloomsbury Group. She had a long affair with fellow author, Vita Sackville-West, which is immortalized in Virginia Woolf's Orlando. Her daughter, Sonia, married the Hon. Roland Calvert Cubitt and was the grandmother of Camilla Shand, who would marry Andrew Parker-Bowles while having an affair with Charles, Prince of Wales. Allegedly Camilla told Charles that her great-grandmother had an affair with his great-great grandfather, and maybe they should keep it up. There were rumors that Edward was the father of Sonia, which would make Charles and Camilla cousins; however, there is no evidence to support these allegations and it was claimed Sonia resembled George Keppel. Nevertheless, both Alice and Camilla were devoted to two different Princes of Wales and their positions in life differed greatly due to changing social norms.
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| Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall- Credit: Foto: José Cruz/ABr - Agência Brasil CC BY 3.0 br |
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