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Prince Alfred

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Birth Date:
15.10.1874
Death date:
06.02.1899
Person's maiden name:
Alfred Alexander William Ernest Albert
Extra names:
Alfred, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Categories:
Aristocrat, Prince, Suicide
Cemetery:
Set cemetery

Alfred, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Alfred Alexander William Ernest Albert; 15 October 1874 – 6 February 1899), was the son and heir apparent of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. He died aged 24 under circumstances still not entirely clear. He was a first cousin of King George V of the United Kingdom, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.

Early life

Prince Alfred of Edinburgh was born on 15 October 1874 at Buckingham Palace, London. His father was Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His mother, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, was a daughter of Emperor Alexander II of Russiaand Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine.

Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury, baptised the prince in the Lower Bow Room of Buckingham Palace on 23 November 1874. His godparents were the Queen, the Emperor of Russia (whose son Tsesarevich Alexander stood proxy for him), the German Emperor (for whom Alfred's paternal uncle Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn stood proxy), the German Crown Princess (Alfred's paternal aunt, for whom her sister Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein stood proxy), the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (his paternal grand-uncle, for whom Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein stood proxy), and the Prince of Wales (his paternal uncle).

Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

In 1893, his granduncle, Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the elder brother of his paternal grandfather, died without legitimate heirs. Being ineligible under Saxe-Coburg-Gotha house law to succeed to the duchy due to his status as the heir apparent to an existing throne,[2] the Prince of Wales had previously renounced his claim to the ducal throne. Thus, the succession devolved to Alfred's father, who was at that time the Duke of Edinburgh. Alfred thus became the Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Prince Alfred had lived in Clarence House in the early years of his life with his parents and sisters; after his father's accession to the ducal throne of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, he moved to Schloss Rosenau, near Coburg.

Failed engagement

On 28 January 1895, the Court Circular published the following: “We are informed that a marriage has been arranged between his Royal Highness Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, only son of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and grandson of Her Majesty, and Her Royal Highness the Duchess Elsa Matilda Marie, elder twin daughter of the late Duke William Eugene of Württemberg by his marriage with the Grand Duchess Vera of Russia.” The marriage never occurred.

Death

The exact circumstances of Alfred's death are not known, and varying accounts have been published. His sister Marie's memoirs simply say his health "broke down", and other writers have said that he had "consumption". The Times published an account stating he had died of a tumor, while the Complete Peerage gives the generally accepted account that he "shot himself". Various authors have speculated on reasons why he might have killed himself, and one author, Frank Bush, claimed to have been a descendant of a secret marriage between Alfred and Mabel Fitzgerald, granddaughter of the 4th Duke of Leinster, and claimed that friction between Alfred and his family over the "secret marriage" was the cause of the suicide. Despite the lack of documentary evidence, and the lack of contemporary reference, other authors have repeated Bush's assertion that Alfred and Mabel married, including John van der Kiste and Bee Jordaan in Dearest Affie, and the assertion is repeated as fact in the official family history (Das Haus von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha).

According to theory, Alfred shot himself with a revolver while the rest of the family was gathered for the anniversary celebration. He survived and was looked after at Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha (Thuringia) for three days before being sent to the Martinnsbrunn Sanatorium in Gratsch near Meran in the County of Tyrol(Austria-Hungary, now Italy). Alfred died there at 4:15 pm on 6 February 1899, aged 24 years. He was buried in the ducal mausoleum of the Friedhof am Glockenberg [de], Coburg, Bavaria (southern Germany).

Later in 1899 Alfred's uncle the Duke of Connaught and his son Prince Arthur of Connaught renounced their succession rights to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. As a result, his first cousin Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany, became heir presumptive.

Source: wikipedia.org

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        Relation nameRelation typeBirth DateDeath dateDescription
        1Alfrēds Edinburgas, Olsteras un Kentas, Saksen- Koburgas  un Gotas HercogsAlfrēds Edinburgas, Olsteras un Kentas, Saksen- Koburgas un Gotas HercogsFather06.09.184431.07.1900
        2Maria AlexandrovnaMaria AlexandrovnaMother17.10.185324.10.1920
        3Marie of RomaniaMarie of RomaniaSister29.10.187518.07.1938
        4Prince LeopoldPrince LeopoldUncle07.04.185328.03.1884
        5Артур Уильям Патрик, принц ВеликобританииАртур Уильям Патрик, принц ВеликобританииUncle01.05.185016.01.1942
        6Edvards VIIEdvards VIIUncle09.11.184106.05.1910
        7Constantine I of GreeceConstantine I of GreeceUncle02.08.186811.01.1923
        8Paul  AlexandrovichPaul AlexandrovichUncle03.10.186030.01.1919
        9Владимир АлександровичВладимир АлександровичUncle10.04.184704.02.1909
        10Сергей  РомановСергей РомановUncle11.05.185717.02.1905
        11Alexander IIIAlexander IIIUncle10.03.184501.11.1894
        12Сергей АлександровичСергей АлександровичUncle11.05.185717.02.1905
        13Princess BeatricePrincess BeatriceAunt14.04.185726.10.1944
        14Empress Alexandra  FeodorovnaEmpress Alexandra FeodorovnaAunt06.06.187217.07.1918
        15Victoria  MelitaVictoria MelitaAunt25.11.187602.03.1936
        16Beatrice Mary Victoria  FeodoreBeatrice Mary Victoria FeodoreAunt14.04.185726.10.1944
        17Принцесса ЛуизаПринцесса ЛуизаAunt18.03.184803.12.1939
        18Виктория Гессен-ДармштадтскаяВиктория Гессен-ДармштадтскаяAunt05.04.186324.09.1950
        19Princess Alice Of the United KingdomPrincess Alice Of the United KingdomAunt25.04.184314.12.1878
        20Victoria Princess RoyalVictoria Princess RoyalAunt21.11.184005.08.1901
        21George BrasovGeorge BrasovNephew06.08.191021.07.1931
        22Prince Vasili AlexandrovichPrince Vasili AlexandrovichNephew07.07.190724.06.1989
        23Дмитрий  РомановДмитрий РомановNephew17.05.192631.12.2016
        24Ростислав АлександровичРостислав АлександровичNephew24.11.190231.07.1978
        25Князь Андрей АлександровичКнязь Андрей АлександровичNephew24.01.189708.05.1981
        26Князь Дмитрий АлександровичКнязь Дмитрий АлександровичNephew15.08.190107.07.1980
        27Prince George Duke of KentPrince George Duke of KentNephew20.12.190225.08.1942
        28Князь Никита АлександровичКнязь Никита АлександровичNephew16.01.190012.09.1974
        29Lennart  BernadotteLennart BernadotteNephew08.05.190921.12.2004
        30Elisabeth of  RomaniaElisabeth of RomaniaNephew12.10.189414.11.1956
        31George VIGeorge VINephew14.12.189506.02.1952
        32Princess Elizabeth of  Greece and DenmarkPrincess Elizabeth of Greece and DenmarkNiece24.05.190411.01.1955
        33Irina Alexandrovna of RussiaIrina Alexandrovna of RussiaNiece03.07.189526.02.1970
        34Princess Marina  of Greece and DenmarkPrincess Marina of Greece and DenmarkNiece13.12.190627.08.1968
        35Maria of YugoslaviaMaria of YugoslaviaNiece06.01.190022.06.1961
        36Ferdinand IFerdinand IBrother in-law24.08.186520.07.1927
        37Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and GothaPrince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and GothaGrandfather26.08.181914.12.1861
        38Louis IVLouis IVGrandfather12.09.183713.03.1892
        39Alexander IIAlexander IIGrandfather29.04.181813.03.1881
        40Queen VictoriaQueen VictoriaGrandmother24.05.181922.01.1901
        41Maria  AlexandrovnaMaria AlexandrovnaGrandmother08.08.182403.06.1880
        42Ernest IErnest IGreat grandfather02.01.178429.01.1844
        43Людвиг II Гессен-Дармштадтский и ПрирейнскийЛюдвиг II Гессен-Дармштадтский и ПрирейнскийGreat grandfather26.12.177716.06.1848
        44Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of RussiaGreat grandfather06.07.179618.02.1855
        45Maximilian IIMaximilian IIGreat grandfather28.11.181110.03.1864
        46Louis II Hesse, Grand DukeLouis II Hesse, Grand DukeGreat grandfather26.12.177716.06.1848
        47Charles FrederickCharles FrederickGreat grandfather02.02.178308.07.1853
        48Михаил ПавловичМихаил ПавловичGreat grandfather08.02.179828.08.1849
        49Карл ГессенскийКарл ГессенскийGreat grandfather23.04.180920.03.1877
        50Alexander  Württemberg, DukeAlexander Württemberg, DukeGreat grandfather09.09.180404.07.1885
        51Елизавета ПрусскаяЕлизавета ПрусскаяGreat grandmother18.06.181521.03.1885
        52Мария Фридерика ПрусскаяМария Фридерика ПрусскаяGreat grandmother15.10.182517.05.1889
        53Maria  PavlovnaMaria PavlovnaGreat grandmother04.02.178611.06.1859
        54Елена ПавловнаЕлена ПавловнаGreat grandmother28.12.180621.01.1873
        55Александра ИосифовнаАлександра ИосифовнаGreat grandmother08.07.183006.07.1911
        56Wilhelmine   Baden, PrincessWilhelmine Baden, PrincessGreat grandmother21.09.178827.01.1836
        57Александра ФёдоровнаАлександра ФёдоровнаGreat grandmother13.07.179801.11.1860
        58Великая княжна Мария НиколаевнаВеликая княжна Мария НиколаевнаCousin26.06.189917.07.1918
        59Великая княгиня Ксения АлександровнаВеликая княгиня Ксения АлександровнаCousin06.04.187520.04.1960
        60Ольга  НиколаевнаОльга НиколаевнаCousin15.11.189517.07.1918
        61Alice von BattenbergAlice von BattenbergCousin25.02.188505.12.1969
        62Princess Catherine IvanovnaPrincess Catherine IvanovnaCousin25.07.191513.03.2007
        63Natalia PaleyNatalia PaleyCousin05.12.190527.12.1981
        64Grand Duchess Maria PavlovnaGrand Duchess Maria PavlovnaCousin18.04.189013.12.1958
        65Всеволод  РомановВсеволод РомановCousin20.01.191418.06.1973
        66Ольга  РомановаОльга РомановаCousin13.06.188224.11.1960
        67Edward  VIIIEdward VIIICousin23.06.189428.05.1972
        68Prince Albert VictorPrince Albert VictorCousin08.01.186414.01.1892
        69Mikhail Aleksandrovich RomanovMikhail Aleksandrovich RomanovCousin04.12.187813.06.1918
        70Boris  Wladimirowitsch RomanowBoris Wladimirowitsch RomanowCousin24.11.187709.11.1943
        71Andrei  VladimirovichAndrei VladimirovichCousin02.05.187930.10.1956
        72Князь Роман ПетровичКнязь Роман ПетровичCousin17.10.189623.10.1978
        73Татьяна РомановаТатьяна РомановаCousin10.06.189717.07.1918
        74Кирилл ВладимировичКирилл ВладимировичCousin12.10.187612.10.1938
        75Марина  РомановаМарина РомановаCousin11.03.189215.05.1981
        76Princess Victoria of the  United KingdomPrincess Victoria of the United KingdomCousin06.07.186803.12.1935
        77Nikolajs II RomanovsNikolajs II RomanovsCousin19.05.186817.07.1918
        78Anastasia RomanovaAnastasia RomanovaCousin18.06.190117.07.1918
        79Natālija AndrosovaNatālija AndrosovaCousin23.02.191725.07.1999
        80Princess AlicePrincess AliceCousin25.02.188303.01.1981
        81Grand Duchess Elena VladimirovnaGrand Duchess Elena VladimirovnaCousin17.03.188213.03.1957
        82Кира  РомановаКира РомановаCousin09.05.190908.09.1967
        83Sophia of PrussiaSophia of PrussiaCousin14.06.187013.01.1932
        84Princess IrenePrincess IreneCousin13.02.190415.04.1974
        85Sophia of  PrussiaSophia of PrussiaCousin14.06.187013.01.1932
        86Maud of WalesMaud of WalesCousin26.11.186920.11.1938
        87Dmitri  PavlovichDmitri PavlovichCousin06.09.189105.03.1942
        88Vladimir  RomanovVladimir RomanovCousin30.08.191721.04.1992
        89Vladimir  PaleyVladimir PaleyCousin09.01.189718.07.1918
        90Георг IIГеорг IICousin19.07.189001.04.1947
        91Victoria of BadenVictoria of BadenCousin07.08.186204.04.1930
        92Helen of Greece and DenmarkHelen of Greece and DenmarkCousin02.05.189628.11.1982
        93Кирилл  АндросовКирилл АндросовCousin05.12.191507.02.1992
        94Wilhelm  IIWilhelm IICousin27.01.185904.06.1941
        95Елизавета ФёдоровнаЕлизавета ФёдоровнаCousin01.11.186418.07.1918
        96George  VGeorge VCousin03.06.186520.01.1936
        97Prince PhilipPrince PhilipCousin10.06.192109.04.2021
        98Надежда  РомановаНадежда РомановаCousin15.03.189821.04.1988
        99Дарья  БогарнэДарья БогарнэCousin07.03.187005.11.1937

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