King Edward VII, famously known as “Bertie” or “Edward the Caresser,” was a monarch whose colorful personal life often overshadowed his nine-year reign from 1901 to 1910. Among the most intriguing artifacts associated with his reputation is the siège d’amour, or love  chair, a bespoke piece of  furniture crafted by French cabinetmaker Louis Soubrier. Designed to accommodate the corpulent king’s intimate encounters with two women simultaneously while preventing injury due to his considerable weight, this chair is a fascinating blend of opulence, engineering, and scandal. Kept at the lavish Le Chabanais brothel in Paris, the love chair has captivated historians and the public alike, even appearing in exhibitions like the Musée d’Orsay’s 2015-2016 display. This article delves into the chair’s design, its historical context, and its enduring legacy as a symbol of Edward VII’s hedonistic lifestyle.

Luxurious furniture

The Ingenious Design of the Love Chair

The siège d’amour, crafted by Louis Soubrier in 1890, is an extraordinary piece of furniture that combines functionality with decadence. As described by HistoryExtra, the chair was designed to allow King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, to engage in intimate activities with two women at once without the risk of crushing them under his 48-inch waistline, a result of his indulgence in five daily ten-course meals and fine wines. The chair’s structure, resembling a plush  chaise lounge with gynecological stirrups and a bassinet-like seat, was both practical and luxurious, featuring intricate bronze carvings and padded upholstery fit for royalty.

The design enabled Edward to remain standing while one woman reclined on an elevated lounge, her feet secured in bronze stirrups, and another positioned below, possibly kneeling or lying down, as speculated in sources like Curbed and Reddit discussions. The sturdy footbeds and thrusting grips ensured stability, accommodating Edward’s weight while keeping his large belly out of the way. At least three versions of the chair exist, including the original owned by the Soubrier family and replicas displayed at the Sex Machines Museum in Prague and M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans, priced at $68,500 in 2025. The chair’s craftsmanship reflects the era’s high standards, making it a unique artifact that blends artistry with scandalous utility.

Luxurious furniture

Pleasure chair

King’s chair

Historical Context: Edward VII’s Extravagant Lifestyle

King Edward VII’s reputation as a playboy prince was well-earned. Known for his affairs with aristocrats, actresses, and cancan dancers, Edward frequented Le Chabanais, a prestigious Parisian brothel renowned for its opulent rooms, including the Hindu Chamber favored by the prince. His father, Prince Albert, described him as “depraved” upon learning of his early escapades with actress Nellie Clifden in 1861, an incident that Queen Victoria partly blamed for Albert’s death. Despite his marriage to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, Edward’s affairs continued, with historian Anthony Camp identifying at least 65 mistresses, including Alice Keppel, great-grandmother of Queen Camilla.

The love chair, commissioned during Edward’s time as Prince of Wales, was a response to his increasing girth and unyielding sexual appetite. As noted by Daily Mail, the chair allowed Edward to maintain his hedonistic pursuits as his physical limitations grew, ensuring comfort and safety for his partners. This artifact, kept at Le Chabanais, reflects the permissive culture of fin-de-siècle Paris, contrasting sharply with the prudish Victorian England under Queen Victoria’s reign. Edward’s escapades, widely discussed in Parisian circles and later on platforms like X, cemented his nickname “Edward the Caresser” and made the love  chair a symbol of his audacious lifestyle.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The siège d’amour is more than a salacious curiosity; it offers a window into the social dynamics of the Victorian era. Edward VII’s open indulgence in extramarital affairs, as documented in Catharine Arnold’s book Edward VII: The Prince of Wales and the Women He Loved, challenged the moral rigidity of his mother’s court. His designation of a special pew for his mistresses at his 1902 coronation underscores his unabashed approach to his private life. The chair’s exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay in 2015-2016, as part of Splendour and Misery: Images of Prostitution 1850-1910, sparked renewed interest, with X posts like @qikipedia’s noting its mysterious mechanics and enduring fascination.

The chair also highlights the craftsmanship of Louis Soubrier, whose work at Le Chabanais catered to the elite. Its design, blending functionality with luxury, reflects the era’s obsession with decadence among the upper echelons. However, the chair’s purpose—enabling simultaneous intimacy with two partners—raises ethical questions about power dynamics and consent, particularly in the context of a brothel. Modern discussions on platforms like Reddit question the logistics and morality, with users debating how the chair facilitated such encounters and whether it perpetuated exploitation. Despite these concerns, the chair remains a cultural artifact, symbolizing a monarch’s unapologetic pursuit of pleasure.

Modern Challenges and Interpretations

The love chair’s legacy is not without controversy. While it fascinates as a historical oddity, its association with Le Chabanais, a legalized brothel, prompts reflection on the exploitation inherent in such establishments. Edward’s wealth and status allowed him to commission such a device, but the women involved, often prostitutes, had little agency. Modern audiences, as seen in Reddit threads, grapple with the chair’s mechanics, with some humorously speculating about its use while others question its glorification. The lack of a definitive “instruction manual,” as noted by LuxuryBranded, leaves much to speculation, adding to its mystique.

The chair’s replicas, displayed in museums and antique shops, continue to draw attention, with Daily Mail reporting its feature in a 2024 Channel 4 series, A History of Royal Scandals. Its high sale price at M.S. Rau Antiques reflects its value as a historical artifact, but also underscores the commercialization of Edward’s notoriety. As society reexamines historical figures through a modern lens, the love chair serves as a reminder of the complexities of power, privilege, and morality in royal courts, sparking debates about how we interpret such artifacts today.

The Road Ahead

The siège d’amour continues to captivate, with its replicas drawing crowds at exhibitions and fueling discussions on social media. Its inclusion in documentaries and museum displays ensures its place in historical narratives, offering a glimpse into Edward VII’s private world. As cultural attitudes evolve, the chair may prompt further scrutiny of Edward’s legacy, balancing his contributions to modernizing the British monarchy—through diplomatic tours and ceremonial duties—with his personal excesses. For collectors and historians, the  chair remains a prized artifact, with its original held by the Soubrier family and replicas sparking curiosity in Prague and New Orleans.

For modern audiences, the love chair is a provocative symbol of a bygone era, inviting reflection on how personal desires intersect with public roles. Its story, shared widely on X and other platforms, keeps Edward VII’s scandalous reputation alive, ensuring that the “playboy prince” remains a topic of fascination. As we explore such artifacts, we uncover not just the quirks of history but also the enduring questions they raise about power, pleasure, and propriety.

King Edward VII’s siège d’amour is a remarkable artifact that encapsulates the extravagance and controversy of his life. Crafted by Louis Soubrier to accommodate the prince’s physical limitations and indulgent desires, the love chair allowed intimate encounters with two women at Le Chabanais while ensuring their safety. Its opulent design and scandalous purpose make it a unique piece of history, reflecting the permissive culture of 19th-century Paris and Edward’s defiance of Victorian norms. From museum exhibitions to social media buzz, the chair continues to intrigue, sparking debates about its mechanics and morality. As a symbol of Edward’s hedonistic legacy, the siège d’amour remains a captivating reminder of how personal excesses can shape historical narratives, ensuring its place as a provocative icon of royal scandal.