- Agnes Keyser
Agnes Keyser (1852 - 1941) was the wealthy daughter of a
Stock Exchange member, a humanitarian,courtesan and longtime mistress toEdward VII of the United Kingdom . Of all of Edward VII's mistresses, with the exception of socialiteJennie Jerome , Keyser was the best accepted within royal circles, to include having the acceptance of Edward VII's wife,Alexandra of Denmark . She remained with Edward VII until his death in 1910.Keyser, as recorded by author Raymond Lamont-Brown in his book "Edward VII's Last Loves: Alice Keppel and Agnes Keyser", held an emotional bond with Edward VII that others did not, due to her being unmarried herself, and preferring a more private affair to that of a public one. This trait also made her the favored in royal circles of his last two loves.
Sister Agnes
King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers was established in 1899 by two sisters, Agnes and Fanny Keyser, who turned their home at 17 Grosvenor Crescent into a hospital for sick and wounded Officers, returning from the Boer War. King Edward VII became the Hospital’s first patron.
Agnes Keyser had become involved with Edward VII around that time, and their relationship would continue until his death. With the encouragement of King Edward VII, together with Agnes Keyser’s enthusiasm, immense support was received from the individuals who later became known as "Friends". Over 4,000 "Friends" pledge their support to the Hospital to this day. Sister Agnes (as she became known) and her staff continued to care for Officers in peacetime. She was renowned for her devoted service to the Hospital, her kindness, tact and firm, effective but inherently caring management. [http://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/html/aboutus.htm]
The hospital
The Hospital moved to its present site in Beaumont Street in 1948, when it was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Mary.
In 2000 the Hospital changed its title to
King Edward VII’s Hospital Sister Agnes and more recently, in accordance with a charitable aim, the financial benefits to which Officer patients had been entitled, were conditionally extended to all ranks of ex-Service personnel. [http://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/html/aboutus.htm]
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