January 3, 1981 death of Princess Alice, Countess of Althone.
Alice was the last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria when she died.
Alice was born February 25, 1883 at Windsor Castle. Her father was Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. Leopold was the eighth child and youngest son of Victoria and Albert. Her mother was Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Queen Emma of the Netherlands was her maternal aunt.
She was named after her father's youngest sister Princess Alice who had died in 1878. Alice's husband would serve as one of her godfathers. Her full name Alice Mary Victoria Augusta Pauline honored her godmothers and family. Her godparents were her grandmothers Victoria and Helena, German empress Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, William III of the Netherlands (her maternal Uncle by marriage), Louis IV of Hesse (her namesake's widower),her paternal uncle the future Edward VII, her paternal aunt Princess Victoria, Her uncle by marriage Wilhelm of Wurttemberg (husband of her maternal Aunt Marie), maternal Aunt Pauline and the Duchess of Cambridge who was her grandmother's Aunt.
Sadly her father died when she was only a year old. Leopold suffered from hemophilia and had been in Cannes at the time as winter weather was hard on his health. Her mother had been pregnant with her brother Charles Edward at the time so she had not accompanied Leopold to France. Her father died March 27 and was buried in Windsor following a fall. Her brother Charles was born four months later in July.
The Royal Memorial Church of St George in Cannes would be errected in honor of her father. Alice would be confirmed at the chapel in 1898, one of several trips Queen Victoria would make to visit it.
An interesting video of Alice talking about her grandmother.
February 10, 1904 Alice was married. Her groom was her second cousin once removed, Prince Alexander of Tech. She was 21 and Alexander was 30. Alexander was the son of Francis, Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge. He was the third son and youngest of four children of his parents. His only sister Mary was married to her cousin the future George V.
https://royal-magazin.de/england/athlone/athlone-alice-wedding-teck-ears-of-weath-gift.htm
They were married in St George's chapel where she was escorted by her brother to the altar. Alexander was raised to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order six days following their wedding. In 1917 when the family gave up their German titles, her husband was made Earl of Althone.
Following her husband's retirement from the military the couple moved into the Clock house apartments in Kensington palace which had been home to her mother previously. In 1923 the couple purchased Bantridge Park as a country home, while retaining the grace and favor home at Kensington.
Some photos of their country estate
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11847954/live-like-queen-victorian-estate-her-majesty/
In 1938 she served as godmother to her cousin Wilhelmina's granddaughter Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands.
From 1924-1931 her husband was appointed Governor-General of South Africa. In 1940-1946 they would live in Canada where her husband was appointed Governor-General. Their three grandchildren would come to Canada to live with them safely in Ottawa during WWII. The couple hosted many foreign royals who sought safety in Canada during the war including Juliana and her daughters. She was involved in the war movement in Canada through the war and her and her husband were active in a lot of charity work. They were known for hosting sledding and skating parties during their time in Ottawa.
Her and her husband represented the royal family at a number of events over the years. This included things like the wedding of Princess Juliana. She was an active member of the royal family with patronages and activities.
Her husband died in 1957. Alice would continue to live at Kensington palace and continue her royal roles. She died at the age of 97 and 313 days. She was the longest living British princess of the blood when she died.She is buried with her husband behind the royal mausoleum, at the Frogmore burial grounds. Her funeral was attended by members of the royal family.
Alice was the Great Aunt of Carl Gustaf (her brother Charles was the father of Princess Sibylla), great aunt by marriage to Queen Elizabeth II (her husband's sister was Elizabeth's grandmother Mary).
She lived through six reigns: her grandmother Queen Victoria, her uncle Edward VII, her first cousin George V (brother in law as well by marriage), her first cousins once removed Edward VIII and George VI (nephews by marriage) and Elizabeth II.
Her and her husband had three children, though only two made it out of childhood:
-Lady May Cambridge: born princess May of Teck before her father's family gave up their German titles. May was a bridesmaid in several royal weddings including that of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and the Duke of York (future George VI). She married Sir Henry Abel Smith and had her parents' only three grandchildren, 2 girls and a boy.
-Rupert: Viscount Trematon. He died in 1928 at 21 years old. He was a hemophiliac like his grandfather and died in a car accident.
-Maurice: died in 1910 at five months old.
