Outwardly cordial, the visit did little to ameliorate the growing tensions. Edward was demoralised and depressed. ‘It is strange,’ he wrote to Charles Hardinge, ‘that ever since my visit to Berlin the German Government has done nothing but thwart and annoy us in every way . . . If we can only ensure peace, it is worth giving way, as long as we do so with honour and dignity.’ He admitted that ‘We may safely look upon Germany as our greatest foe, as she hardly attempts to conceal it.’
