January 12, 1974 death of Princess Patricia of Connaught.
I have always felt a special connection to her. Both my grandfathers officially served in her brigade in WWII (my paternal grandfather did in reality, my maternal only in name. After boot camp he was transferred to Black devil training).
She was born March 17, 1886 in London at Buckingham palace. Her father was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Her father was the third son and 7th of 9 children of Victoria and Albert. Her mother was Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia. She was the second daughter and youngest of three children of her parents. The eldest was her sister Margaret who would marry the future Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden (she died before her husband came to the throne). Her brother Arthur married the Duchess of Fife.
Though called Patricia (or Patsy by her family) her full name was Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. Patricia was chosen to honor that she was born on St Patrick's day. The other three were for her godmothers: Queen Victoria, Princess Helena (her paternal Aunt) and Princess Elisabeth of Prussia (her maternal Aunt). Her godfathers were Ernest II of Saxe-Coburg Gotha (her grandfather's brother), the future Wilhelm II (her first cousin), and Prince Albert of Prussia (mother's first cousin once removed).
in 1893 she was a bridesmaid at the wedding of the future George V and Queen Mary.
Her childhood was full of travel. She spent two years living in India when her father was stationed there with the army. In 1911 her father was appointed Govenor General of Canada and she moved with her parents here. Patricia was very popular during her time in Canada.
She appeared on the one dollar Dominion of Canada bank note in 1917.
https://writeroyalty.com/a-popular-princess-on-a-banknote/
In 1918 Andrew Hamilton Gault raised the last private regiment in the British army and named it the Princess Patricia Light Infantry Brigade. She served as colonel in chief of her name sake, and designed their badge and colors. They would later perform at her wedding. She remained active as their colonel until the day she died. In 1974 she was succeeded in the position by Countess Mountbatten of Burma, her goddaughter and namesake.
Patricia was considered one of the most beautiful and elligible princesses of her time. She was considered as a bride for many royal men. Instead Patricia chose Alexander Ramsay. Not a royal, Alexander did come from the aristocracy, the 3rd son of the Earl of Dalhousie. Alexander was an aide-de-camp of her father.
The couple were married February 27, 1919 at Westminster abbey.
Her bridesmaids and page boys included:
-Princess Ingrid of Sweden: daughter of her sister Margaret (future Queen Ingrid of Denmark)
-Earl of MacDuff: her nephew, son of her brother Arthur
-Lady Ida and Jean Ramsay: nieces by marriage, daughter of Alexander's eldest brother Arthur, 14th Earl of Dalhousie
-Simon Ramsay: youngest son of Arthur Ramsay (he would eventually succeed his eldest brother as the 16th earl)
-Princess Mary: daughter of George V
-Princess Maude: daughter of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife
-Lady Mary and Helen Cabridge, and Lady May Cambridge: the first two daughters of the Marquess of Cambridge, the third daughter of his brother the Earl of Althone)
By royal warrant Patricia was allowed to relinquish her royal titles on marriage. The royal warrant of 1919 named her Lady Victoria Patricia Ramsay and gave her precedence above the Marchionesses of the UK. It took effect on her marriage so she entered the church a princess, and left the daughter of a duke.
The couple took up eventual residence at Ribsden Holt, which had been a home of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife at one time.
Though she relinquished her title she remained in succession and an active member of the family. She attended funerals and other events. She would walk in the procession with other royal princesses of the blood and in the carriages.
She was a gifted artist who was inspired by the works of Gauguin and Van Gough.
Her husband who was made a Knight Grand Cross of the RVO in 1938 (made knight commander in 1932) died in 1972 at their home of Ribsden Holt. Patricia died 15 months later at home as well, 8 weeks short of her 88th birthday. At the time she was the second last grandchild of Victoria, only out lived by Princess Alice, Countess of Althone. She was buried like her husband at the Frogmore burial ground.
The couple had one son together.
-Alexander Ramsay of Mar-Alexander inherited the Mar estates from his Aunt Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife (she was married to Patricia's brother Arthur). He married Flora Fraser, the daughter of Alexander Fraser, Lord Saltoun. His wife succeeded her father and is the current Lady Saltoun. The couple had three daughters, their oldest Katherine is heir to her mother's estate. Alexander died in 2000 at his estate. His wife is still seen at the odd royal event. She was at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was listed among the family.