The Sandringham estate of 7,000 acres was bought by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1841-1910) in 1862 to serve as his country house. He first stayed there shortly after his marriage to Princess Alexandra of Denmark, later Queen Alexandra (1944-1925) in 1863. The oringinal house was demolished and rebuilt with works finished by 1870, with additions being made in 1881 and also during the 1890s.