{"product_id":"mrs-keppel-mistress-to-the-king-9781785900488","title":"Mrs Keppel: Mistress to the King","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMrs Keppel: Mistress to the King\u003c\/strong\u003e by Quinn, Tom. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781785900488.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlice Keppel was one of the most remarkable courtesans in British history. She was extraordinary for a number of reasons—not least that she was the lover of Edward VII for many years, though she managed to avoid much of the stigma attached to being a royal mistress. In fact, Edward was so devoted to her that he insisted she be received wherever he went.\nFor Mrs. Keppel, it was not how things were that mattered, but how they appeared. Her precepts were those of the English upper classes: discretion, manners, and charm. Sexual fidelity was for those lower down the social scale, but the appearance, at least, of civilized marriage was vital; as essential as pearls, furs, and a hat at Ascot.\nAside from her relationship with Edward VII, Alice Keppel is also noted for being the mother of Violet Trefusis, famously the lover of Vita Sackville-West, and, intriguingly, great-grandmother to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, once a royal mistress herself.\nTom Quinn, bestselling author of Backstairs Billy, unearths the fascinating story of Mrs. Keppel, revealing her to have been one of the most compelling characters of the Edwardian era: charming, voracious, selfish, manipulative, and indeed, strikingly modern.\nTom Quinn is the author of Londons Strangest Tales and many more titles, including the bestselling Backstairs Billy: The Life of William Tallon, the Queen Mothers Most Devoted Servant. He lives in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Biteback Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44624598335541,"sku":"ByrdShop_178590048X","price":39.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/ByrdShop_178590048X_b4f0f730-77a9-48e3-8e17-81f3c730c5b1.jpg?v=1784478322","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/mrs-keppel-mistress-to-the-king-9781785900488","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}