Alice, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn: Difference between revisions
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| burial_date = 15 August 1901 | | burial_date = 15 August 1901 | ||
| burial_place = {{wp|Westminster Abbey}}, {{wp|London}} | | burial_place = {{wp|Westminster Abbey}}, {{wp|London}} | ||
| spouse = {{marriage|{{wp|Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha}}|22 February | | spouse = {{marriage|{{wp|Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha}}|22 February 1874|30 July 1900|end=died}} | ||
| issue = {{plainlist|* [[Alfred II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]] | | issue = {{plainlist|* [[Alfred II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]] | ||
* [[Louise, Princess of Prussia]] | * [[Louise, Princess of Prussia]] | ||
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Three years later, in order to reconcile British-Russian relations in the aftermath of the {{wp|Crimean War}}, the princess's hand in marriage was once more offered by the {{wp|Tsesarevich of Russia}} {{wp|Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia|Nicholas Alexandrovich}}. Initially, Alice was seriously contemplating on the proposal as she was well aware of the vast lands and military strength of Russia, which had then fall short of its enemies in the Crimean War. Ultimately, in a letter in which Alice expressed her inability to "receive such offer despite the temptation", the young princess once more remained free from marital bindings as a young woman. | Three years later, in order to reconcile British-Russian relations in the aftermath of the {{wp|Crimean War}}, the princess's hand in marriage was once more offered by the {{wp|Tsesarevich of Russia}} {{wp|Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia|Nicholas Alexandrovich}}. Initially, Alice was seriously contemplating on the proposal as she was well aware of the vast lands and military strength of Russia, which had then fall short of its enemies in the Crimean War. Ultimately, in a letter in which Alice expressed her inability to "receive such offer despite the temptation", the young princess once more remained free from marital bindings as a young woman. | ||
Prior to her marriage, Alice was barraged with several more proposals from the likes of the crown princes of {{wp|Sweden-Norway}} and {{wp|Denmark}} respectively, as both saw her previous value as a token of alliance between their countries and the {{wp|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom}}. However, Alice reportedly loathed a busy court life abroad as she once explicitly told her brother that she did not want to be "imprisoned" away from her freedom. Alternatively, she preferred a marriage that came with a less "hectic and tedious" court life which would allow her to freely travel and venture to wherever she preferred to. | Prior to her marriage, Alice was barraged with several more proposals from the likes of the crown princes of {{wp|Oscar II of Sweden|Sweden-Norway}} and {{wp|Frederick VIII of Denmark|Denmark}} respectively, as both saw her previous value as a token of alliance between their countries and the {{wp|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom}}. However, Alice reportedly loathed a busy court life abroad as she once explicitly told her brother that she did not want to be "imprisoned" away from her freedom. Alternatively, she preferred a marriage that came with a less "hectic and tedious" court life which would allow her to freely travel and venture to wherever she preferred to. | ||
===Napoléon, Prince Imperial=== | |||
Following the abolition of the {{wp|Second French Empire}}, the {{wp|House of Bonaparte|Bonaparte family}} of {{wp|Second French Empire|France}} were allowed to live in exile in {{wp|Britain}}, where they took up residence at {{wp|Camden Palace}} in {{wp|Kent}}, {{wp|England}}. | |||
Initially, despite her parents' partial resentment towards the former emperor in regards to the {{wp|Luxembourg Crisis}}, Alice however expressed interest in a marriage between her and the former emperor's only child, the {{wp|Napoléon, Prince Imperial|prince imperial}} once the latter reaches his age of majority. Reportedly, she professed to her father that having a {{wp|British}} princess on the throne of {{wp|Second French Empire|France}} would prove extremely beneficial. When this was then put into consideration, no definite agreement was reached as a restoration of the {{wp|House of Bonaparte|French monarchy}} was deemed as unlikely. | |||
Despite her failure however, Alice later showed great love for the prince imperial, having attempted to discourage the latter's decision to enlist in the {{wp|British Army}} participating in the {{wp|Zulu War}}, much to the brief jealousy from her then husband {{wp|Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Alfred}}. Regardless, the princess showed great remorse upon hearing of {{wp|Napoléon, Prince Imperial|Napoléon}}'s death, which indirectly allowed her to fully concentrate her attention on her husband. | |||
===Soldier & Diplomat=== | ===Soldier & Diplomat=== | ||
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==Titles & Honours== | ==Titles & Honours== | ||
*'''3 January 1840 - 22 February 1871''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess Alice | *'''3 January 1840 - 22 February 1871''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess Alice | ||
*'''22 February | *'''22 February 1874 - 22 August 1893''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess Alice, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | ||
*'''22 August 1893 - 30 July 1900''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | *'''22 August 1893 - 30 July 1900''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | ||
*'''30 July 1900 - 5 August 1901''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | *'''30 July 1900 - 5 August 1901''' ''Her Royal Highness'' The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | ||
Revision as of 16:05, 28 May 2020
| Alice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn | |||||
 | |||||
| Duchess Consort of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | |||||
| Tenure | 22 August 1893 - 30 July 1900 | ||||
| Born | Alice Luise Eleonore Victoria 3 January 1840 Marlborough House, London | ||||
| Died | 5 August 1901 (aged 61) Schloss Rosenau, Coburg, Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha,German Empire | ||||
| Burial | 15 August 1901 | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue Detail | |||||
| |||||
| House | Hanover | ||||
| Father | William IV | ||||
| Mother | Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen | ||||
| Religion | Protestant | ||||
Alice (Alice Luise Eleonore Victoria; 3 January 1840 - 5 August 1901) was the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from 1893 until 1900. Famed for her beauty, intelligence and expertise in politics concerning foreign relations, she was frequently a valuable consort for ambitious European kings and crown princes, which in return was used by her to manipulate relations between the respective countries to her will. She was also a noted and capable diplomat on behalf of her brother William V.
She was also famed for being the first princess to ever enlist in the military, an unconventional practice for women at that time.
Early Life
Alice was born on the 3rd of January 1840 as the last surviving child and only surviving daughter of the late William IV, alongside her brother, the future William V. Since the birth of her brother William allowed the Queen Dowager Adelaide to rise back into prominence, Alice's birth was also received warmly by her mother, as she was subsequently named "Alice Luise Eleonore Victoria" which honoured those of her maternal grandmother and her cousin Victoria. Despite the queen dowager's sickening conditions, Alice enjoyed much passionate care and love from her mother and was reported to had been an "extremely bright, energetic and sometimes nosy little girl". As it was the norm for princesses, Alice was educated primarily around subjects that concerned her gender's role. Eventually, though the young princess took much interest in reading and particularly drawing as a side hobby, she unusually enjoyed horse riding and on several occasions, had to be forcibly restrained by palace staff due to her adventurous and outspoken nature. Concerning her brother William, the two siblings enjoyed a cordial bond but both were keen on occasional and harmless teases directed towards the other. In a particular writing by William himself, "Despite how insensible the young girl Alice could be when it comes to several matters, she definitely posses the character of a strong, and free-willed woman".
Adulthood
Despite her mother's passing in 1849 which temporarily "crippled" the young princess, she quickly bonded with her cousin Victoria and cousin-in-law Albert. Much like her brother William, Alice grew close to Victoria's large family. While her brother was close to Victoria's eldest son Edward, Alice however was instead close to the latter's sister, also named Victoria. Remarkably, their shared passion for intelligence and knowledge proved compatible in ensuring a close bond between the two princesses, such close bond was evident when Alice was later allowed to play with her female cousins whenever they had the chance.
Marriage Proposals
Alice's early thrust into court life began during her brother's coronation event when the 13 year old princess was first offered a hand of marriage by Prince Pedro of Portugal. The latter, having initially failed to secure a marriage between his sister and William attempted to entice the young princess into a marriage which would prove beneficial for both countries. Despite this, further planning were foiled due to Alice's persistence in remaining an Anglican and her personal weariness to commit to such marriage.
Three years later, in order to reconcile British-Russian relations in the aftermath of the Crimean War, the princess's hand in marriage was once more offered by the Tsesarevich of Russia Nicholas Alexandrovich. Initially, Alice was seriously contemplating on the proposal as she was well aware of the vast lands and military strength of Russia, which had then fall short of its enemies in the Crimean War. Ultimately, in a letter in which Alice expressed her inability to "receive such offer despite the temptation", the young princess once more remained free from marital bindings as a young woman.
Prior to her marriage, Alice was barraged with several more proposals from the likes of the crown princes of Sweden-Norway and Denmark respectively, as both saw her previous value as a token of alliance between their countries and the United Kingdom. However, Alice reportedly loathed a busy court life abroad as she once explicitly told her brother that she did not want to be "imprisoned" away from her freedom. Alternatively, she preferred a marriage that came with a less "hectic and tedious" court life which would allow her to freely travel and venture to wherever she preferred to.
Napoléon, Prince Imperial
Following the abolition of the Second French Empire, the Bonaparte family of France were allowed to live in exile in Britain, where they took up residence at Camden Palace in Kent, England.
Initially, despite her parents' partial resentment towards the former emperor in regards to the Luxembourg Crisis, Alice however expressed interest in a marriage between her and the former emperor's only child, the prince imperial once the latter reaches his age of majority. Reportedly, she professed to her father that having a British princess on the throne of France would prove extremely beneficial. When this was then put into consideration, no definite agreement was reached as a restoration of the French monarchy was deemed as unlikely.
Despite her failure however, Alice later showed great love for the prince imperial, having attempted to discourage the latter's decision to enlist in the British Army participating in the Zulu War, much to the brief jealousy from her then husband Alfred. Regardless, the princess showed great remorse upon hearing of Napoléon's death, which indirectly allowed her to fully concentrate her attention on her husband.
Soldier & Diplomat
Upon reaching the age of 18, Alice began persistently pressuring her brother, the king into allowing her to enlist in the Royal Navy, which was deemed as an unusual practice at that time. This suggestion was also met by uneasy reception among the conservative-minded nobility and in particular the First Lord of the Admiralty, Viscount Halifax. For exactly three years, Alice unsuccessfully contested for admission until she was finally able to convince the succeeding First Lord of the Admiralty, the Duke of Somerset to allow her to enlist.
Remarkably, despite occasional teases and purported harassment by her fellow seamen, she distinguished herself in campaigns alongside her brother, the latter having commanded the British Army respectively in conflicts such as the Ashanti Wars, Abyssinian Expedition and several others. As a result, she outstandingly held the post of Admiral of the Fleet for two times respectively, from 1868 to 1872, and from 1876 to 1880.
Personal Information
Despite having little interest in marriage, Alice enjoyed a warm marriage with her husband Alfred, whom through Victoria is her first cousin once removed. The couple were survived by two children, albeit the third had died due to a miscarriage.
Owing to her much liberal and adventurous upbringing, Alice is reportedly a professional of several sports such as swimming, polo and several others.
Titles & Honours
- 3 January 1840 - 22 February 1871 Her Royal Highness The Princess Alice
- 22 February 1874 - 22 August 1893 Her Royal Highness The Princess Alice, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn
- 22 August 1893 - 30 July 1900 Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn
- 30 July 1900 - 5 August 1901 Her Royal Highness The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn
Honours
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Alice, Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn |
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