We take a look at the life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s son, His Royal Highness Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.
For those of you who happen to be interested in the monarchy, you will no doubt be aware of prominent figures, both past and present. Whereas names such as Elizabeth II, Victoria, Henry VIII, et al, are instantly recognisable, for casual royalty fans, some names might, however, be less well known.
Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn for example was a prominent figure in the British monarchy and is perhaps not as well known as other members of the royal family gone past.
If you’re looking to keep yourself entertained and your mind sharp these next several weeks, why not brush up on your history and learn more about the British monarchy?
Here is a brief biography looking at the life and times of the late Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.
Who Was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught And Strathearn?
Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn served as the Governor-General of Canada, and he was the only British Prince to ever do so.
Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was the third son and the seventh child of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, and, like many others in the royal family, he was a distinguished member of the British Army, where he served as a lieutenant. He saw active service all across the globe in numerous parts of the British Empire for upwards of four decades.
Afterwards, he found himself returning to the UK, where he performed his royal duties, as well as in India.
Unable to shake off the military bug, he couldn’t stay away from the military. He would carry on to perform many military duties, despite officially retiring from public life in 1928. Despite this, his presence in the military was felt strongly well into WW2, until he sadly passed away in 1942.
Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn | Image: National Portrait Gallery, London
Early Life
On the 1st of May, 1850, Prince Arthur William Patrick Albert was born at Buckingham Palace. Born to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he was their seventh child and third son. It is now widely believed that he was Queen Victoria’s favourite son.
He was baptised by John Bird Sumner, the archbishop of Canterbury, on the 22nd of June in the private chapel of the palace. He is said to have been an active and good-natured child. He also continued to receive private education up until he embarked on a career in the military.
Military Career
Prince Arthur showed a keen interest in military life from an early age. He was always playing with toy soldiers.
In 1866, he enrolled at the Royal Military College, Woolwich and graduated two year’s later.
On June 18th, 1868, the Prince became a LT in the Corps of the Royal Engineers. He would go on to transfer to the Rifle Brigade and later to the Regiment of Artillery.
Afterwards, he embarked on a prolonged career in the Army and saw active service all over the world.
Personal Life And Death
On the 24th of May, 1874, his mother appointed him as the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. He would go on to marry German Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia.
The Duke and Duchess of Connaught with their three children, 1893
After using Clarence House as their residency, the couple was fortunate enough to acquire Bagshot Park, Surrey, as their country home.
Sadly, aged 91, the Duke passed away on the 16th of January, 1942, on the same day as his sister who passed away three years before.
He was the second to last child of Queen Victoria to die, as his sister, Princess Beatrice, would pass away two years later.