Princess Patricia of Connaught (1886-1974) & Sir Alexander Ramsay (1881-1972)

[AC21091968]

I found this Macleans article, which described Princess Patricia of Connaught's life as a "modern princess". She supported the suffragette movement and was a talented artist. Between 1911 to 1916, she often undertook engagement with her father, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, who was the governor general of Canada during this time. Her mother, Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia (later The Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn) was in precarious health.

Perhaps one of the most interesting part is that she married for love and relinquished the style of Her Royal Highness and title of Princess of Great Britain and Ireland. After her marriage to Sir Alexander Ramsay, she became Lady Patricia Ramsay, styled as a daughter of a royal duke.

There has not been a thread specifically for Princess Patricia of Connaught, but I hope there will be more discussions about her. I think she was ahead of her times, but also talented.

https://www.macleans.ca/royalty/princess-patricia-the-first-modern-princess/

 

[Durham]

She has come up in previous discussions but I can't recall where exactly. Her decision to voluntarily renounce her status is I think unique? Maybe someone else knows if this is true. It's certainly an interesting precedent.

 

[Prinsara]

She is very well remembered here in Canada (and as a princess!) due to her infantry regiment! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Patricia's_Canadian_Light_Infantry

(to be fair, I'm not sure how many people know who "Princess Patricia" really was without consulting Wikipedia or the like. I know I was one.)

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Princess Patricia's name was matched with the Prince Royal of Portugal, Prince Luis Felipe. If she had married Luis, she might have had to become Roman Catholic.

 

[AC21091968]

Princess Patricia's name was matched with the Prince Royal of Portugal, Prince Luis Felipe. If she had married Luis, she might have had to become Roman Catholic.

Tragically, Luís Filipe, Prince Royal of Portugal (1887-1908) was assassinated age at 20. It was during this time, where a negotiation for his marriage to Princess Patricia occurred.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

On October 7, 1906 the Chicago Daily Tribune reported:
A marriage has been arranged between Grand Duke Michael of Russia, 28 and Princess Patricia of Connaught. Michael is the younger brother of Nicholas II and his future bride is the niece of Edward VII.
Royal Musings: Patricia of Connaught to marry Michael of Russia

 

[An Ard Ri]

On October 7, 1906 the Chicago Daily Tribune reported:
A marriage has been arranged between Grand Duke Michael of Russia, 28 and Princess Patricia of Connaught. Michael is the younger brother of Nicholas II and his future bride is the niece of Edward VII.
Royal Musings: Patricia of Connaught to marry Michael of Russia

There were other matches too
Alfonso XIII
Dom Luís Filipe, Prince Royal of Portugal and Duke of Braganza.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

1902 front cover of The Sketch: The Princesses Patricia and Margaret of Connaught
http://www.maryevans.com/history/12156314

 

[Blog Real]

Dom Luís Filipe, Prince Royal of Portugal and Duke of Braganza.

It is true. Does anyone know more about this?

I read that she declined the proposal.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Princess Patricia with her sister Princess Margaret in Mid 1890s
http://carolathhabsburg.tumblr.com/image/188279789717

 

[CyrilVladisla]

1908: HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught
http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/M704980

​

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Lady Victoria Patricia with Captain Alexander Ramsay and their son

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/806496245805884171/

 

[Prinsara]

In the book Ena & Bee there is a pretty funny (and sassy) sketch from iirc Pat herself, with Pat turning her back on one of the foreign suitors (probably Alfonso). She certainly didn't want to be married off!

 

[kalnel]

Lady Victoria Patricia with Captain Alexander Ramsay and their son

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/806496245805884171/

Great day to post this -- March 17 was Princess Patricia's birthday!

 

[Prinsara]

Off by an artist (it was drawn by Bee Edinburgh), but still funny.
“Bee and Ena find that Patsy does not quite behave as an English Princess should”, June 1905.