Europe and fitted for diplomatic work amongst its
rulers. His Royal Mother had known many Sovereigns and seen many Kings
and statesmen come and go; he had also met and known many of them more
intimately than she could possibly do in the semi-seclusion of her quiet
Court. He was uncle to the German Emperor, the mother of the Russian
Czar was Queen Alexandra's sister, the King of Norway was a son of Queen
Alexandra's brother the King of Denmark, the King of Spain was married
to his niece and King George of Greece was his wife's brother. Even more
important were the friendships which, as Prince of Wales, the King had
made in all the Courts of Europe, the statesmen whom he knew like a
book, the policies of which he understood the origin and every detail of
development.

In 1902 King Edward had received the German Emperor in England and had
entertained other visiting monarchs and statesmen and diplomats. Early
in 1903 he visited Rome, was received by His Holiness, the Pope, and by
the King of Italy, and managed the difficult situation of the moment
with a delicacy and tact which prevented even a hint of unpleasantness;
and served to greatly increase the traditional friendship of Italy and
Britain while sending a glow of appreciation throughout the Roman
Catholic world which lives under the British flag, and helping to settle
troubles which had arisen in Malta between the Government and the
Italian residents. A little later he was in Portugal and proved a prime
factor in promoting an understanding in Lisbon which substantially
facilitated arrangements at far-away Delagoa Bay which, in turn, were of
great advantage to South Africa. Then, on May 1st, came his famous visit
to Paris and the commencement of an era of new and better feeling. It
was not an easy task or one entirely without risk. French sentiment had
been greatly excited during the South African war, the Parisian populace
had not been friendly to Britain, the press had, at times, been grossly
abusive and relations were undoubtedly strained. Through all the formal
ceremonies of this visit, however, the King showed his usual tact and
powers of conciliation. A difficult situation was successfully met;
ill-feeling engendered by the misrepresentations of the War period were
greatly ameliorated; the friendly settlement of controversial questions
rendered probable. In his speech to the British Chamber of Commerce in
Paris, on May 1st, His Majesty touched the key-note of the