Albert Victor Christian Edward Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (1864 - 1892)

Born 8 Jan 1864 in Frogmore, Windsor, Berkshire, England

Ancestors

Died 14 Jan 1892 at age 28 in Sandringham, Norfolk, England

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Biography

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra, with Albert Victor as a baby

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (Albert Victor Christian Edward), eldest son of Edward Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), and Alexandra Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg of Denmark, and the grandson of Queen Victoria. He was born two months prematurely, and as he was the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, was directly in line for the throne of England. Unfortunately, he died before his father.

"Albert Victor was known to his family, and many later biographers, as "Eddy". When young, he traveled the world extensively as a naval cadet, and as an adult he joined the British Army, but did not undertake any active military duties. After two unsuccessful courtships, he became engaged to be married to Princess Mary of Teck in late 1891. A few weeks later, he died during an influenza pandemic. Mary later married his younger brother, who became King George V in 1910."^[1]

"Albert Victor's intellect, sexuality, and mental health have been the subject of speculation. Rumors in his time linked him with the Cleveland Street scandal, which involved a homosexual brothel; however, there is no conclusive evidence that he ever went there, or was indeed homosexual. Some authors have argued that he was the serial killer known as Jack the Ripper, but contemporary documents show that Albert Victor could not have been in London at the time of the murders, and the claim is widely dismissed."^[2]

"Just as plans for both his marriage to Mary and his appointment as Viceroy of Ireland were under discussion, Albert Victor fell ill with influenza in the pandemic of 1889–92. He developed pneumonia and died at Sandringham House in Norfolk on 14 January 1892, less than a week after his 28th birthday."^[3]

His remains were laid to rest in the Albert Memorial Chapel at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.^[4]

Obituary:^[5]

Albert Victor, Prince Royal, Passes Away

George of Wales is Now Heir Presumptive to England's Throne

Sorrow Throughout the Land

Princess May Heartbroken Over Her Groom-Elect's Death

Queen Victoria Prostrated

She Orders a State Funeral and Services in the Chapel Where the Wedding Was to Have Been Solemnized--A Rumor That Prince George Will Wed His Dead Brother's Affianced Bride--The Duke's Last Moments

London, Jan. 14--The Duke of Clarence and Avondale, heir presumptive to the throne of England, died at Sandringham Hall at nine o'clock this morning.

It is impossible to exaggerate the greatness of the sorrow that has suddenly befallen the British nation. In life Prince Albert Victor, though looked upon as the future King, may not have been generally popular, nay more, he may have been the subject of give and jest to a degree altogether extraordinary considering his exalted position. But in death he is as sincerely mourned as if he were the favorite son of every family on the British Isles.

There was nothing of the popular idol about him, little as is really required in this respect of one whose prospects seemed so magnificent, and the expressions of sympathy and sorrow that are now heard on every side may be credited so far as the dead Prince is concerned, to the loss of those prospects.

For the Prince and Princess of Wales the sorrow and sympathy of all classes is as pure as it is intense. Great Britain is a land of mourning. The mournful clanging of a thousand bells still seems to fill the air. There is but one topic of conversation, the dead Prince, and the blow that has struck the Royal family. The press contains little but accounts of his life and death, and expressions of sympathy from all parts of the world.

The greatest uncertainty regarding the hour of his death prevailed until a telegram from the Prince of Wales to the Lord Mayor of London was made public. It was dated Sandringham, 9:45 this morning, and was as follows:

"Our beloved son passed away at 9 A.M. (signed) Albert Edward."

In the general sorrow the poor girl whose lot only a few days ago seemed so brilliant is not forgotten. The Princess May will probably never be Queen of England. For some of the divinity which doth hedge a king doth also hedge one who might have been Queen.

Prince George of Wales has become his father's heir, and the Duke of Fife is one stop nearer to the goal of a king's consort. Mutterings of discontent would soon have been heard had Prince George's recent illness resulted less favorably. Fife is not a general favotie, nor do the English people look with such favor as the government organs would have the world believe upon marriages between possible rules and subjects.

Prince George, unlike his dead brother, is popular with the masses, although perhaps not so popular with those who come most in contact with him. He is popular because he is a sailor. But his desire to leave the navy and enter the army is well known.

He has long wanted a ship, but advancing in the English navy, even for a Prince, is far more difficult than in the army. Hence his desire for a change. His wish may be granted now.

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia:Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
2. ↑ Wikipedia:Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
3. ↑ Wikipedia:Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
4. ↑ Albert "Prince Eddy" Victor on Find A Grave: Memorial #7462 Retrieved 20 Sep 2016.
5. ↑ Albert Victor Prince Royal Passes Away George of Wales in Now Heir Presumptive to England's Throne, Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, Jan 15, 1892 Philadelphia, PA, Vol: 126 Issue: 15 page: 1.

See Also:

• Wikipedia:Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
• Wikidata: Item Q159670