Alice Frederica Keppel

Alice Frederica Keppel (née Edmonstone;[1] 29 April 1868 – 11 September 1947) was a British society hostess and a long-time mistress and confidante of King Edward VII.

Through her younger daughter, Sonia Cubitt, Alice is the great-grandmother of Camilla Queen-Consort of UK (formerly Camilla Parker Bowles Duchess of Cornwall), the second wife of King Edward VII's great-great-grandson Charles III King of UK (formerly Charles Prince of Wales).

Keppel grew up at Duntreath Castle, the family seat of the Edmonstone baronets in Scotland. She was the youngest child of Mary Elizabeth, née Parsons and Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet.[2] In 1891, she married The Honourable George Keppel and they had two daughters. She became one of the best society hostesses of the Edwardian era. Her beauty, charm and discretion impressed London society and brought her to the attention of the future King Edward VII in 1898, whose mistress she remained till his death, lightening the dark moods of his later years, and allegedly held considerable influence.

Upon the death of Edward VII, as he lay in state in his bed surrounded by his wife the queen and nobles, Alice was give the bizarre honor to enter the room for the viewing. Upon seeing the dead king, Alice became hysterical and had to be dragged out of the room as she repeatedly screamed, "But what shall become of ME!!! What shall become of ME!!!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Keppel
The PBS/BBC TV program "Great British Castles"