Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi - Painting by Yuehua He Artmajeur - Empress Dowager Cixi (Mandarin pronunciation: [tsʰɹ̩̌.ɕì]; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908) was a Manchu noblewoman of the Yehe Nara clan who effectively but periodically controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty as empress dowager and regent for almost 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908.
An exceptional event took place in London, England on May 20, 1910 as the funeral procession of King Edward VII wound its way through the streets of the British capital. Amidst bright sunshine, a magnificent panoply unfolded before mourners and spectators. Crowds estimated at 2.5 million people watched in reverent and awed silence as the funeral cortege passed before them. Of all the impressive sights, the gun-carriage carrying the late King’s body as well as the unprecedented sight of nine reigning monarchs astride on their horses. For here gathered the monarchs of England, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Norway, Germany, Bulgaria, and Denmark to pay homage to King Edward VII. Follow these monarchs’ lives whose stories are filled with drama, pathos, tragedy, and heroism.