George Keppel
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. George Keppel, MVO
(14 October 1865 – 22 November 1947) was a British
soldier and the husband of Alice Keppel
, the mistress of King Edward VII
.
Keppel was a younger son of William Keppel, 7th Earl of Albemarle
, and his wife, Sophia. He graduated from the Royal Military College
in 1885 and soon after joined the Gordon Highlanders. He resigned his commission in 1892, but joined the Norfolk Artillery in 1894. He was promoted to Captain in 1908 and was appointed MVO
a year later after being attached to the king
during the latter's visit to Norwich
that year.
On 1 June 1891, Keppel had married Alice Frederica Edmonstone
(a daughter of Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet
) and they had two daughters: Violet
(1894–1970) and Sonia
(1900–1986). In 1898, Keppel's wife became a mistress to the Prince of Wales (as he then was) and continued as such until the latter's death in 1910. Keppel knew of the affair and dutifully made himself scarce when the king was with Alice.
Through his daughter Sonia
, Keppel was the great-grandfather of Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(14 October 1865 – 22 November 1947) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soldier and the husband of Alice Keppel
Alice Keppel
Alice Frederica Keppel, née Edmonstone was a British socialite and the most famous mistress of Edward VII, the eldest son of Queen Victoria. Her formal style after marriage was The Hon. Mrs George Keppel. Her daughter, Violet Trefusis, was the lover of poet Vita Sackville-West...
, the mistress of King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
.
Keppel was a younger son of William Keppel, 7th Earl of Albemarle
William Keppel, 7th Earl of Albemarle
William Coutts Keppel, 7th Earl of Albemarle KCMG, PC , styled Viscount Bury between 1851 and 1891, was a British soldier and politician. He served in the British Army before entering parliament in 1857...
, and his wife, Sophia. He graduated from the Royal Military College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
in 1885 and soon after joined the Gordon Highlanders. He resigned his commission in 1892, but joined the Norfolk Artillery in 1894. He was promoted to Captain in 1908 and was appointed MVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
a year later after being attached to the king
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
during the latter's visit to Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
that year.
On 1 June 1891, Keppel had married Alice Frederica Edmonstone
Alice Keppel
Alice Frederica Keppel, née Edmonstone was a British socialite and the most famous mistress of Edward VII, the eldest son of Queen Victoria. Her formal style after marriage was The Hon. Mrs George Keppel. Her daughter, Violet Trefusis, was the lover of poet Vita Sackville-West...
(a daughter of Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet
Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet
Admiral Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet CB, DL , also 14th of Duntreath, was a Scottish naval commander, courtier and politician....
) and they had two daughters: Violet
Violet Trefusis
Violet Trefusis née Keppel was an English writer and socialite. She is most notable for her lesbian affair with Vita Sackville-West, which was featured under disguise in Virginia Woolf's Orlando: A Biography....
(1894–1970) and Sonia
Sonia Cubitt, Baroness Ashcombe
Sonia Rosemary Cubitt, Baroness Ashcombe OBE DStJ was the daughter of Hon. George Keppel and his wife, Alice and the grandmother of the Duchess of Cornwall. Violet Trefusis was her sister.On 16 November 1920, she married Hon...
(1900–1986). In 1898, Keppel's wife became a mistress to the Prince of Wales (as he then was) and continued as such until the latter's death in 1910. Keppel knew of the affair and dutifully made himself scarce when the king was with Alice.
Through his daughter Sonia
Sonia Cubitt, Baroness Ashcombe
Sonia Rosemary Cubitt, Baroness Ashcombe OBE DStJ was the daughter of Hon. George Keppel and his wife, Alice and the grandmother of the Duchess of Cornwall. Violet Trefusis was her sister.On 16 November 1920, she married Hon...
, Keppel was the great-grandfather of Camilla Parker-Bowles.