Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, eldest son of Edward VII (1864-1892) - Page 2

Furienna · #21 01-05-2007, 07:57 PM

How old was he when he died?

Warren · #22 01-06-2007, 05:09 AM

Prince Albert Victor: 8 Jan 1864 - 14 Jan 1892, so he had just turned 28 when he died.

Alexandra RI · #23 01-07-2007, 08:47 PM

This may be a bit of a strech. I have worked in the medical field and I have wondered if Eddy might have had colitis or crones disease besides being sick from the flu. I have known people with these conditions and they have told me that the suspected that relatives in the past might have died from these diseases. The discriptions of the Princes death and their relatives seem the same. Just a thought.

Avareenah · #24 01-07-2007, 09:03 PM

Interesting point, Elizabeth. However, I've never heard of Prince Eddy having any problems of this nature. I have read quite a lot about him and the long-held idea that he was somehow physically weak or sickly doesn't seem accurate. Although he was two months premature, his nurse stated after his death that "he was never a frail baby at all" and he seems to have suffered from no more illnesses than the rest of his family.

I think the descriptions of his last illness and death by his mother and other family members are consistent with influenza/pneumonia which was epidemic during the winter of 1891/1892.

wbenson · #25 11-02-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windsorbrides1

Prince William will not be created a Duke, as Royal Dukedoms only go to Princes who are members of the royal family that will not inherit the throne. Prince Andrew is Duke of York, Prince Edward will be Duke of Edinburgh when his father dies.

That's not true. Prince Albert Victor (Edward VII's first son) was created Duke of Clarence and Avondale, even though it was fully expected that he would become King. He died before that could happen, though.

Royal Fan · #26 11-02-2007, 09:27 PM

So he wouldve become Duke of Cornwall right ??

wbenson · #27 11-02-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

So he wouldve become Duke of Cornwall right ??

I assume you're talking about Albert Victor. Yes, he would have, had he lived at least until his father's accession. Instead, it went to the Duke of York (later George V), who was known as "The Duke of Cornwall and York" for the 10 months until he was created Prince of Wales.

Royal Fan · #28 11-02-2007, 11:56 PM

Interesting wonder what Kind of King A V Would have made.

CasiraghiTrio · #29 11-03-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

Interesting wonder what Kind of King A V Would have made.

We will never know. I understand there were nasty things said about him, but he was dearly loved by his family. His brother was understood to be devastated by his death, for the understandable personal reasons of loss of a brother, as well as the interuption of ambitious naval career which George had to forego in order to.... go on to be George V. Thinking about it, I am sure it was terribly hard on everyone in the family, and it makes sense in this context, the hasty courtship and marriage between AV's fiancee and George. I understand they fell in love quickly. This can happen when a tragedy occurs like this. People take solace in each other and their emotions are bare and very raw, and they can fall in love more quickly than perhaps in more sober times. It's an interesting story.

Polly · #30 11-13-2007, 01:46 AM

With all due respect, C-T, I think that the royal family was indeed very fortunate that he died.

Albert Victor, from my perspective, was a decidedly unattractive and reprehensible human being. Heaven only knows how the larger-than-life and naughty but nice Edward VII, and the delightful Queen Alexandra produced such an unlovely, morally repugnant and ugly character as I think that this son was.

Madame Royale · #31 11-13-2007, 02:41 AM

Could I perhaps ask you how you have come to this conclusion, Polly? And what is it that you believe to have been so 'morally repugnant'?

Furienna · #32 11-13-2007, 02:51 AM

Well, there were a lot of rumors going around about him living a morally bad life. But he wasn't different from his father in that respect, and I don't know why Polly thinks he was ugly.

Madame Royale · #33 11-13-2007, 03:00 AM

Oh, having casual encounters whilst engaged etc..Oh I can certainly understand why that would be frowned upon but as you noted, Furienna, it was no different to his father.

Yes, I thought he was rather well turned out when one looks at the rest of the family. And his adoration of fashion certainly presented an impeccable image.

And the high collars? Quite splendid I thought...

Warren · #34 11-13-2007, 03:10 AM

Better than a thousand words...

The Duke of Clarence
(public domain, copyright expired)

Madame Royale · #35 11-13-2007, 03:14 AM

He cut such a figure in uniform! The man exuded style!

Great photo Warren

Thanks.

Jo of Palatine · #36 11-13-2007, 03:26 AM

Whenever I think of George and May (Queen Mary, née of Teck) the anecdote with the settee pillows come to mind. In her boudoir the queen had two embroidered pillows u on her chaiselongue. On read George, the other May. When the king felt amorous, it is claimed, he visited his wife and arranged the pillows so they read: May George? And if the queen was willing, she rearranged them reading now: George May! And off they were...

It's the same kind of sweet love that prince Philip showed the queen on telling her in a very low voice that after the day's engagement's he wanted to tug his "Tigerlilly" into bed - not realizing that he was surrounded by a crowd of lip-readers...

Jo of Palatine · #37 11-13-2007, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polly

With all due respect, C-T, I think that the royal family was indeed very fortunate that he died.

Albert Victor, from my perspective, was a decidedly unattractive and reprehensible human being. Heaven only knows how the larger-than-life and naughty but nice Edward VII, and the delightful Queen Alexandra produced such an unlovely, morally repugnant and ugly character as I think that this son was.

Well, he was not Jack the Ripper, after all, as he sat down to dinner with queen Victoria at the exact time when Jack slaughtered a girl.

Polly · #38 11-13-2007, 05:03 AM

Albert Victor may not have been Jack the Ripper, Jo, but isn't it telling that for a very considerable time, so many have believed that he actually was? Even to this day, some historians are adamant that he was, and that royal intervention covered up his absences.

What on earth does this say about Albert Victor, that so many reputable and distinguished people thought this of him? The letters and memoirs of some who knew him during his life all depict him as a singularly stupid and vicious man. But perhaps everyone who knew him was wrong?

As for ugly: I meant it in a moral sense. Albert Victor was a repugnant man who had a demonstrably low intellect, who participated in many disgusting vices and scandalous behaviour. He most certainly died riddled with venereal disease which he contracted from his frequent forays into particularly low class brothels (the origin for the police's earliest assumption that he was Jack the Ripper) and his liaisons with both male and female prostitutes. I make no judgements at all about his sexual preferences, they were his business, after all, but it's utter romantic fancy to credit him with some sort of mystical aura because he died young. I repeat: it is my considered opinion that the Royal Family was indeed fortunate that this discreditable man died early.

His father may well have been a roue, but I've never read, once, that the King was utterly dissolute and unconscionable, or behaved in any way untoward towards his mistresses. Indeed, he reputation augurs quite the reverse.

Those wishing to take issue with me on this matter might well do some reading about A-V's life, beforehand. As usual, I'm comfortable in discussing this matter and my assertions, but only with those who have sought some historical knowledge of the matter at hand and not those who only have an emotional and 'instinctive' response to my disdain and contempt for Albert Victor.

CasiraghiTrio · #39 11-13-2007, 05:47 AM

Actually, Polly, what I meant to say in my post was that Albert Victor was dearly loved by his family. Whatever Albert Victor's character flaws were, I can't imagine his family saw themselves as "better off" without him. Everything I have read indicates that his entire family were genuinely devastated when he died. I find it difficult to believe that his mother ever felt he was "better off" dead. No, correction: I find it impossible to believe that. I don't know any mothers who believe that of their dead children.

Madame Royale · #40 11-13-2007, 07:15 AM

I am glade to have read Polly's response as it has answered a question which I sought an answer for in no direct terms.

No matter what the mans character, he had a great sense of fashion...