Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Albany
| Alexandra | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duchess of Albany | |||||
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| First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff | |||||
| Tenure | 6 February 2006 - 11 July 2009 | ||||
| Preceded by | Alan West | ||||
| Succeeded by | Jonathon Band | ||||
| Governor-General of New Zealand | |||||
| Tenure | 15 March 1996 - 22 April 1999 | ||||
| Monarch | William VI | ||||
| Preceded by | Catherine Tizard | ||||
| Succeeded by | Silvia Cartwright | ||||
| Prime Minister | |||||
| 4th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations | |||||
| In office | 1 April 2000 - 1 April 2008 | ||||
| Head | William VI | ||||
| Preceded by | Emeka Anyaoku | ||||
| Succeeded by | Don McKinnon | ||||
| Chair | |||||
| Born | Alexandra Lauren William Louise 14 September 1970 Buckingham Palace, London | ||||
| Spouse | Thomas Lancaster (m. 2003) | ||||
| Issue Detail | |||||
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| House | Hanover | ||||
| Father | Charles III | ||||
| Mother | Lauren Bacall | ||||
| Religion | Protestant | ||||
| Military service | |||||
| Branch/service | |||||
| Years of service | 1998-2010 (active service) | ||||
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet | ||||
| Commands | HMS Manchester (2000-2003) HMS governor (2003-2006) First Sea Lord (2006-2009 | ||||
| Battles/wars | Bosnian War Gulf War | ||||
Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Albany (Alexandra Lauren William Louise; born 14 September 1970) is a member of the British royal family. In addition, she is also the Governor-General of New-Zealand from 1996 to 1999 and was notably the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2000 to 2008, a post which was once held by its inaugural holder, her granduncle. Following in the footsteps of her predecessor Alice, she was the second female royal to hold the position of First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, which she held from the year 2006 to 2009.
In 2003, she married former Royal Navy Captain Thomas Lancaster, whom she had met while actively serving as a naval officer herself. The couple's marriage produced three children: Henry, Lauren, and Alexandra.
Early Life
Alexandra was born on the 14th of September, 1970 as the second daughter and youngest child of Charles III and former American actres turned queen consort Lauren Bacall. Alongside her sister Catherine the Princess Royal, she and the former were the only princesses among their other siblings. Her given name, Alexandra was reportedly inspired from an event two months prior, in which the queen consort undertook a solo trip to Australia, and happened to venture to the city of Alexandria in New South Wales. As a consequence of the fond memories from her brief visit to the city, it became the namesake for her youngest daughter.
While it had been customary for newborn royal children to be assigned to a governess, the princess however, following in the footsteps of her elder siblings were brought up personally by their parents, with the queen consort having reportedly spent the most time with her youngest child, as Alexandra's "distinguished" looks became a favourite of her mother.
Upon reaching the age of 11, Alexandra was enrolled into the Brentford School for Girls, where she exhibited a considerable degree of success in her respective subject. At the same time, the princess took up horse riding under the guidance of a private instructor.
Adulthood
Upon graduating secondary school, much to the surprise of her parents and peers, Alexandra showed great enthusiasm in a naval-based military career. While it had not been a common occurrence, her enlistment into the Royal Navy was made possible by the Princess Alice Act 1946, which established the precedence for women to enlist in combat roles, in regards to the previously established setting that had limited women mostly to support roles such as medics.
Personal Information
Following in the footsteps of her father, Alexandra pursued a much liberal-oriented lifestyle, then highlighted by her marriage to Royal Navy Captain Thomas Lancaster in 1996.
A dedicated enthusiast and firm supporter of the Royal Navy, Alexandra is greatly known for her remarkable service in the armed forces, almost mirroring that of her third great-aunt Alice.
Titles & Honours
- 14 September 1970 - 2 January 2003 Her Royal Highness The Princess Alexandra
- 2 January 2003 - Present Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Albany
Honours
Ancestry
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