10 Facts About Agnes Keyser

Agnes Keyser, DStJ, RRC was a British humanitarian and longtime mistress to Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom.

Agnes Keyser remained with the King 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 the King that others did not, due to her being unmarried herself, and preferring a more private affair to a public one.

Agnes Keyser, was born Elizabeth Agnes Keyser on 11 July 1852 at Great Stanmore in Middlesex, to Charles and Margaret Keyser.

Agnes Keyser's father was a partner in a stock exchange firm Ricardo and Keyser.

Agnes Keyser's ancestors were Jewish and arrived in Britain from Central Europe in the eighteenth century, and her ancestral country house was Cross Oak, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Agnes Keyser had one brother, Charles Edward, and two sisters, the older Frances and the younger Marion.

At the suggestion of the Prince, Keyser became Sister Agnes, and the house at Grosvenor Crescent, with its initial 12 beds, greeted the first wounded officers in February 1900.

On 26 February 1901, Agnes Keyser was created a Dame of Grace of the Venerable Order of St John.

Agnes Keyser died at Buckland House, Faringdon, Berkshire on 11 May 1941, aged 88.