 |
Heinrich Moritz von BattenbergGerman prince of the Battenberg family
Date of Birth: 05.10.1858
Country:  Dive |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Military Career
- Marriage and Children
- Alexander (1886-1960), Marquess of Carisbrooke
- Titles and Honors
Early Life and Family
Prince Henry of Battenberg was born to Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine and his morganatic wife, Julia von Hauke. In 1858, Julia and her descendants received the title "von Battenberg." Henry was a nephew of Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Russian Emperor Alexander II.
Military Career
Henry pursued a military education and became a lieutenant in the 1st Rhenish Hussars Regiment in the Prussian army.
Marriage and Children
In 1884, Henry became engaged to Princess Beatrice (1857-1944), the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The queen approved their marriage on the condition that Henry and Beatrice remain in the United Kingdom. They married on July 23, 1885, and had four children:
Alexander (1886-1960), Marquess of Carisbrooke
Victoria Eugenie (1887-1969), Queen Consort of SpainLeopold (1889-1922)
Maurice (1891-1914)
Later Years and Death
In 1895, Queen Victoria permitted Henry to join the Anglo-Ashanti War in West Africa. He served as military secretary to the general in command. Henry contracted malaria and died aboard the cruiser "Blonde" off the coast of Sierra Leone. His body was returned to England and buried at St. Mildred's Church, later known as the Battenberg Chapel, where his wife was also buried.
Titles and Honors
Upon his marriage, Queen Victoria granted Henry the title of His Royal Highness, which was valid in the United Kingdom but not in the Duchy of Hesse, where he was addressed as Your Highness. He became a British subject and received a seat in the House of Lords. The queen also bestowed upon him the Order of the Garter and membership in the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Henry became a colonel in the British army and was appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight and Constable of Carisbrooke Castle.
