Queen Victoria's Haemophiliac Son: The Life of Prince Leopold

Apr 20, 2010
Karl Leon Ciccone

Queen Victoria's Son, Leopold Duke of Albany - Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany inherrited his mother's gene which later contributed to his death at the age of 30.

Leopold George Duncan Albert was Victoria and Albert’s youngest son and second youngest of their nine children, Dr. John Snow administered the queen with chloroform during the birth, a revolutionary practise of anaesthesia during childbirth, and the boy was born at Buckingham Palace on 7th April 1853, he was named his after their uncle, King Leopold I of the Belgians.

Haemophilia

After his birth the queen suffered from some kind of post-natal depression and the boy was later diagnosed with haemophilia. He was their only child to actually suffer from the blood-clotting disorder although some of their daughters were carriers. Leopold spent the majority of his childhood at home in bed, with doctors attending to him around the clock, the queen grew extremely protective over him, realising that he could never lead an active lifestyle and he was not allowed to play with his siblings.

Conducting Royal Duties

He entered Christchurch College in Oxford in 1872 where he studied various subjects and graduated with a doctorate in law in 1876. His elder sister Princess Louise was married to John Campbell the Marquess of Lorne who was appointed as Governor General of Canada and Leopold accompanied them on official visits around Europe, and visited Canada together in 1880.

Because of his haemophilia he would never be able to pursue a military career like his brothers, and instead he undertook royal duties for his mother and he became a secretary to his mother, he did attempt to undertake official appointments in Australia and Canada but both countries would not accept him because of his health issues, he did however manage to pursue other aspects of royal duties, he had a passion for literature and became a patron of the arts.

Marriage Prospects and Alice in Wonderland

The prince wished to be more independent and away from the over-protective grasp of his mother who wanted him to stay at home with her, he considered marriage as the only solution but he had many romantic liaisons but was shunned by various suitors because of his illness. He was connected with Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and various members of European nobility but after continuous rejection Victoria stepped in and introduced him to Princess Helena Frederike of Waldeck-Pyrmont.

The couple fell in love immediately and were married at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on 27 April 1882 and Helena soon became pregnant. Helena gave birth to their first child, Princess Alice of Albany on 25 February 1883, and became pregnant again almost immediately afterwards. Leopold and Helena enjoyed a very happily married life together - but it would be sadly cut short.

Prince Leopold’s Death in France

Helena and his doctors advised him to take a trip to France to alleviate his joint pains, a symptom associated with haemophilia, Helena who was pregnant stayed in England with their daughter Alice, and Leopold travelled to Cannes where he stayed at the Yacht Club in Villa Nevada.

During his stay he was already taking morphine issued by his physicians, on 27 March 1884 he enjoyed claret after his supper and slipped down the stairs, but the fall did not kill him, he merely injured his knee, but died due to the effects of drugs and alcohol, eleven days short of his thirty-first birthday. Leopold was buried in the Albert Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, and Helena gave birth to their second son, Charles Edward four months later.