19-20th Cent. Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Prince Alfred Ernest Albert was born on 6 August 1844, at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. He was the second son and fourth child of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (24 May 1819 - 22 January 1901) and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (26 August 1819 - 14 December 1861). His maternal grandparents were Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg, Duchess of Kent and Strathearn (17 August 1786 - 16 March 1861) and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (2 November 1767 - 23 January 1820). His paternal grandparents were Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (21 December 1800 - 30 August 1831) and Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (2 January 1784 - 29 January 1844). Prince Alfred's parents were married on 11 February 1840, at the Royal chapel of St. James, in London. His siblings were: Victoria Adelaide (1840-1901), Edward Albert (1841-1910), Alice (1843-1878), Helena (1846-1923), Louise Caroline (1848-1939), Arthur (1850-1942), Leopold George (1853-1884) and Beatrice Mary (1856-1944). He was christened by William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury on 6 September 1844, at the Private Chapel in Windsor Castle, Windsor. In 1856, Prince Alfred entered the Royal Navy. In August 1858, he passed the examination for midshipman and was appointed to the HMS Euryalus. In July 1860, Prince Alfred visited the Cape. His grandmother, Victoria, Duchess of Kent died on 16 March 1861, at Frogmore. His father, Prince Albert died of typhoid fever on 14 December 1861. His sister, Princess Alice married Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and the Rhine (1837-1892) on 1 July 1862, at Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight. Prince Alfred was promoted lieutenant on 24 February 1863. His brother, Prince Albert married Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) on 10 March 1863, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Queen Victoria created Prince Alfred a Knight of the Garter on 24 May 1863. He was promoted to Captain on 23 February 1866, of the frigate HMS Galatea. In Queen Victoria's Birthday Honors in May 1866, Prince Alfred was created Duke of Edinburgh and Earl of Ulster and of Kent. He took his seat on 8 June in the House of Lords. He receved the Knighthoods of the Thistle in Scotland and St. Patrick in Ireland, Grand Crosses of the Orders of the Bath, the Star of India, St. Michael and St. George, the Indian Empire, and the Royal Victorian Order. Prince Alfred also held the Order of the Black Eagle of Prussia, the Order of the Golden Fleece of Spain, the Annunziata of Italy, the Legion of Honor of France, St. Stephen of Austria, St. Andrew of Russia, and the Ostmanieh of the Ottoman Empire. Prince Alfred started on 24 January 1867, from Plymouth for his voyage round the world. On 7 June 1867, he left Gibraltar and reached the Cape on 24 July 1867. He arrived on 31 October 1867, at Glenelg, in South Australia. In December 1869, the Duke arrieved in India. Prince Alfred married Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia (17 October 1853 - 24 October 1920) on 23 January 1874, at the Winter Palace, in St. Petersburg. She was the daughter of Maria Alexandrovna (8 August 1824 - 8 June 1880) and Tsar Alexander II of Russia (29 April 1818 - 1 March 1881). The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made their public entry on 12 March 1874, into London. The couples first child, a son named Alfred after his father was born on 15 October 1874, he was called "Young Alfie".

The Children of Maria Alexandrovna and Prince Alfred:

Prince Alfred (15 October 1874 - 6 February 1899)
Princess Marie (29 October 1875 - 18 July 1938) Married King Ferdinand I of Romania in 1893.

Princess Victoria Melita (25 November 1876 - 2 March 1936) Married Ist: Ernst Ludwig, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine in 1894. Married 2nd: Grand Duke Kyrill Vladimirovitch of Russia in 1905.

Princess Alexandra (1 September 1878 - 16 April 1942) Married Prince Ernst of Hohenloe-Langenburg in 1896.

Stillborn Daughter (13 October 1879)

Princess Beatrice (20 April 1884 - 13 July 1966) Married Don Alfonso, Infante of Spain, 3rd Duke of Galliera in 1909.

His sister, Princess Alice died of diphtheria on 14 December 1878. She was buried in Rosenhöhe, Darmstadt. Prince Alfred was promoted rear-admiral on 30 December 1878. His brother, Prince Arthur married Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia on 13 March 1879, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. His brother, Prince Leopold married Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1861-1922) on 27 April 1882, in St.George's Chapel, Windor Castle. Prince Alfred was promoted vice-admiral on 10 November 1882. In 1883-1884, he commanded the Channel fleet. Prince Leopold, the Duke of Albany died 28 March 1884. He was interred on 5 April 1884, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. From 1886 to 1889, Prince Alfred commanded the Mediterranean fleet. He was promoted admiral on 18 October 1887. From 1890 to 1893, he was commander-in-chief at Davenport. He received his baton as Admiral of the Fleet on 3 June 1893. His uncle, Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha died on 22 August 1893. The vacant Duchy fell to the Duke of Edinburgh, since the Prince of Wales had renounced his right to the succession. His daughter, Princess Victoria Melita married Ernst Ludwig, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine (1868-1937) on 19 April 1894. His daughter, Princess Alexandra married Prince Ernst of Hohenloe-Langenburg (1863-1950) on 20 April 1896. His son, Prince Alfred shot himself in January 1899, after a scandal with his mistress. Prince Alfred died on 6 February 1899, in Meran. Prince Alfred was an violinist and took a part in establishing the Royal College of Music. He was also a collector of glass and ceramic ware. Prince Alfred died of throat cancer aged 55, on 30 July 1900, at Schloss Rosenau, in Coburg. He was interred at the Ducal family's cemetery, outside Coburg. He was succeeded by his nephew, Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany.