From Geoffrey Wheatcroft’s review of Jane Ridley’s new biography of Edward VII in the NYRB.
In a scene too lurid for the trashiest episode of Downton Abbey, Sir Charles Mordaunt returned unexpectedly from a fishing holiday in Norway to find two white carriage ponies in front of his country house, and his wife Harriet talking to the Prince of Wales [Edward VII to be], who had given them to her. Bertie left hurriedly while Harriet rushed indoors, but she was dragged back outside by Sir Charles to watch as he shot the ponies.
Mordaunt went on to divorce his wife, forcing “Bertie” to appear in court and deny any connection. Poor ponies.