Edward and Alexandra had six children - the eldest of which was a controversial figure, the second succeeded his father as King George V and one daughter made a successful marriage uniting the British Royal Family with Norway in 1896.
The Elder Royal Children
1. Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence. Albert Edward Christian Victor was born at Frogmore, Windsor Castle on the 8th January 1863. When he was born he was second in line to the British throne, and he was known to his family as 'Eddy'. Eddy served as a naval cadet during his earlier years and then joined the British army.
He became engaged to Mary of Teck (1867-1953) in 1891, who was a member of the extended Royal Family - but the rumours which surrounded the Duke of Clarence were widespread. He was alleged to have been involved with the Cleveland Street Scandal of 1889, during which investigators uncovered a male brothel in the London district of Fitzrovia, and it was rumoured that he was in some way connected with the Jack the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, but all rumours were dismissed as fantasy.
Prince Eddy died from influenza at Sandringham in 1892, one week after his twenty-eighth birthday - it was rumoured that he died from complications associated with syphillis. Eddy's death saddened his mother deeply, as she never fully recovered after losing him.
2. Prince George. George Frederick Ernest Albert was born at Marlborough House, London on the 3rd June 1865. As a youth he undertook military training in the Royal Navy, and became second in line to the British throne after the death of Eddy in 1892.
Queen Victoria regarded still regarded her late grandson's fiancee as a suitable bride for George, and consequently he and Mary of Teck married in 1893. George succeeded his father in 1910, and reigned as King George V until his death in 1936 - he is the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II.
3. Princess Louise, the Princess Royal. Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar was born at Marlborough House, London on the 20th February 1867. She was married to Alexander Duff (1849-1912) the 1st Duke of Fife in 1889.
In 1911 they were shipwrecked off the coast of Morocco and her husband died later as a result of the experience, Louis succeeded to the Duchy of Fife in her own right. She conducted many royal duties and died at her home in London in 1931.
The Younger Royal Children
4. Princess Victoria. Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary was born at Marlborough House, London on the 6th July 1868, and she was known by her family as 'Toria'. She grew up rather close to her elder brother, George.
She had a number of suitors, but she never married and instead she remained a companion to her parents, and especially to her mother Queen Alexandra, and died at Windsor in 1935.
5. Princess Maud. Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria was born at Marlborough House, London on the 26th November 1869. She was a spirited child and was often referred to as 'Harry' by the family.
Maud married Prince Carl of Denmark (1872-1957) on the 22nd July 1896 at Buckingham Palace, he was her first cousin and became the King of Norway in 1905. Maud loved Norway. She died in London from heart failure in 1938.
6. Prince Alexander John. Alexander John Charles Albert was born at Sandringham House on the 6th April 1871. He was born prematurely, and was sickly. Edward and Alexandra's youngest child died the following day.
The royal family believed that the name John brought bad luck upon the person bearing the name, Prince John was buried within the Church of St Mary at Sandringham, and his nephew Prince John (the youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary) is buried beside him - Prince Johnny himself was a sickly child, he suffered from epilepsy and died at a young age in 1919. Also buried there is John Spencer - the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales who died just after his birth in 1960.
Sources:
- Edward VII: The Last Victorian King by Hugh Thomas and Christopher Hibbert, Palgrave Macmillian, 2007
Karl Leon Ciccone - Karl was born in Sunderland, United Kingdom in 1981. His ancestry which is mostly English, is mixed Scottish, Irish, Italian, French, ...
Join the Conversation