London Fire Brigade annual review, Hyde Park. King Edward VII had, as Prince of Wales, always been interested in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and its work, often covertly going to fires with Captain Massey Shaw. Once he was monarch this sometimes dangerous activity ceased, but King Edward continued his support for London?s firefighters. Here he, Queen Alexandra and the royal children arrive for the 1909 Annual Brigade Review in Hyde Park. Note the brass helmeted young prince. These were major public events where the Brigade, by then the London Fire Brigade, would perform drills and parade past the monarch, after which the King and Queen would present gallantry and long service medals.