1867-1871: Bertie's family continues to grow but Princess Alix is not strong and suffers from general ill health. Politics continues to cause a rift in the family with Princess Alix refusing to see or have anything to do with Bertie's German relations after the forced annexation of parts of Denmark. It all comes to a head when the King of Prussia asks to call on her. Queen Victoria continues to refuse all public engagements and there is a rise in Republicanism. Bertie finds himself in court as a witness in a divorce case involving a lady with whom he had a dalliance. Prime Minister Gladstone tries to have the Queen appoint Bertie as Viceroy of Ireland but she rejects the suggestion. Everyone expects the worst when Bertie contracts typhoid and approaches death on the 10th anniversary of his father dying from the same disease.
—garykmcd