s Prince, Edward's love affairs and extravagant lifestyle often offended his mother (Queen Victoria), who steadfastly excluded him from participation in public affairs. His youthful indiscretions as Prince of Wales, however, were largely a reaction to Victoria's impossibly virtuous (Victorian) standards. Lady Beaconsfield once suggested that Queen Victoria's son must be a great comfort to her. "Comfort?" the queen replied. "Why, I caught him smoking, a fortnight [two weeks] after his dear father died!"