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Alfred Saxe-Coburg and GothaDuke of Edinburgh
Date of Birth: 06.08.1844
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Early Life and Royal Lineage
- Naval Career and Circumnavigational Voyage
- Titles and Ascension to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- Marriage and Royal Connections
- Philatelic Interests and Legacy
- Tragic End and Succession
Early Life and Royal Lineage
Prince Albert, later known as the Duke of Edinburgh, was born at Windsor Castle on May 24, 1866, as the fourth child and second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Upon his birth, he was bestowed the title His Royal Highness Prince Albert and held the rank of second in line for the British throne, behind his elder brother, Edward.
Naval Career and Circumnavigational Voyage
In 1856, Prince Albert joined Her Majesty's Royal Navy. From January 1867 to July 1868, he undertook a circumnavigational voyage, becoming the first British royal family member to visit Australia in 1868, New Zealand, British India, and Hong Kong in 1869. During this voyage, the island of Tristan da Cunha renamed its only town "Edinburgh of the Seven Seas" in his honor.
Titles and Ascension to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
On his mother's birthday, May 24, 1866, Prince Albert was bestowed the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Kent, and Earl of Ulster. In 1893, upon the death of Duke Ernest II of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the dukedom passed to his nephew, Prince Albert, as his elder brother Edward declined the succession to avoid a personal union between Saxe-Coburg and Great Britain.
Marriage and Royal Connections
On January 23, 1874, Prince Albert married Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, the only daughter of Emperor Alexander II. The marriage was not a happy one, and London society deemed the bride haughty. Maria Alexandrovna was accorded the titles "Her Royal Highness," "Her Royal and Imperial Highness," and "Her Imperial and Royal Highness."
In honor of his son-in-law, Alexander II named a Russian cruiser "The Duke of Edinburgh."
Philatelic Interests and Legacy
Prince Albert was a renowned philatelist. In 1890, he became the Honorary President of the Philatelic Society of London (later the Royal Philatelic Society London). Facing financial constraints, he sold his stamp collection to his elder brother, the future King Edward VII, in 1900. Posthumously, he was inducted into the prestigious "Roll of Distinguished Philatelists."
Tragic End and Succession
Prince Albert died of cancer in August 1893, tragically outliving his only son, who suffered from syphilis and committed suicide during his parents' silver wedding anniversary. The Duchy of Coburg passed to his nephew, Prince Charles Edward, the Duke of Albany, the posthumous son of Prince Leopold, Victoria's fourth son.
