On This Day: Princess Patricia of Connaught is Born

Today marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of Princess Patricia of Connaught, one of Queen Victoria’s numerous granddaughters.

Having been born on St Patrick’s Day in 1886, Patricia – or Patsy as she was known by her family – was the youngest of three children born to Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Princess Luise Margaret of Prussia and was one of the few British royals of the era to be named after a saint.

Princess Patricia of Connaught. 1900s. pic.twitter.com/xNZJCs2KbN

— Tanja (@T__twitt) May 5, 2015

As a young woman, Patsy spent much time travelling with her parents thanks to her father’s position in the army and later his role as Canadian Governor-General. The Connaughts spent two years in India (Patsy’s elder siblings, Arthur and Margaret, did not join them as they were in the army or married, respectively), before moving to Canada in 1911, where the Princess’ popularity reached new heights (including appearing on the Dominion of Canada $1 bill), thanks to her charitable work and interest in sports.

She was asked to become the Colonel-in-Chief of a new military regiment, to be named Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Taking her new position to heart, Patsy designed the regiment’s badge and colours before they headed to France at the start of World War One.

Lady Patricia presents prizes to members of her regiment during the 1940s

Even though she spent several years overseas at what was considered prime marital age, the Princess throughout her youth was considered one of the most eligible European Princesses (she was described as “one of England’s handsomest daughters” by The Pittsburgh Press), much like her sister Margaret, who married the future King of Sweden in 1905. Potential suitors included King Alfonso XIII of Spain (who later married her first cousin, Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg), Luís Filipe, the Prince Royal of Portugal, and Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia.

But Patsy was a woman of her own mind, and she chose to marry Commander The Hon. Alexander Ramsay, the second son of the 13th Earl of Dalhousie, in February 1919. The pair had met while Alexander was serving as an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Connaught while the family was living in Canada. Their wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey was the first royal wedding celebrated there since 1382, and started a spate of royal weddings at the Abbey.

"Mariages Royaux": Princess Patricia of Connaught wed Naval Commander Alexander Ramsay on February 27, 1919. #royaty pic.twitter.com/IY5ojweosa

— La Fête Chic (@lafetechic) February 27, 2016

The Princess also ceased to be a Princess after she married – Patsy voluntarily relinquished her royal title, and was known as Lady Patricia Ramsay from her marriage until her death. Even though she was no longer a Princess, Patsy was still a member of the royal family and she and her husband attended many royal events during the course of their marriage, with Patsy given precedence with the princesses of the blood.

Patricia had one son, Alexander, who was born in 1919. She died in January 1974 and was buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore after a funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Filed under Historical Royals, The United Kingdom
Tagged Anniversary, Biography, Birth, Patricia of Connaught.