Moniek Bloks's Blog, page 197

The Year of Queen Victoria – The Death of Princess Alice

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom was born on 25 April 1843. The princess was the third child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, following her siblings Victoria, Princess Royal, and the Prince of Wales. A further six children were born to the couple after Alice, and the brood were raised by their parents and a team of governesses and tutors, travelling between different royal residences.

Alice was a very caring child; she longed to know what life was like for non-royal people and liked to watch people go about their day to day lives and she liked to visit farmers when the family were at Balmoral. She always looked after her little siblings and was involved in charitable works at an early age – during the Crimean war, she visited soldiers in hospitals at the age of just eleven. This caring nature would grow as Alice did.

In 1861, Alice lost her grandmother Victoria, Duchess of Kent and also her father, Both suffered drawn-out illnesses and by their sides was Alice, who was known to be the caregiver of the family. Queen Victoria said that “dear good Alice was full of intense tenderness, affection and distress for me.” Once Queen Victoria plunged into a long period of mourning, Alice became her mother’s secretary and representative for six months and took on many of her mother’s duties along with her sister Louise.

In 1860, Queen Victoria and her daughter Victoria, Princess Royal, had begun to try to look for a match for Alice. Two high ranking royals were suggested but discounted, and eventually, a minor royal was chosen; Prince Louis of Hesse who was nephew to the Grand Duke of Hesse. Queen Victoria approved of the match, and Alice and Louis were attracted to each other, so although the prince ranked much lower than Alice, it was deemed a successful pairing.

The marriage had been planned a year earlier before the death of Prince Albert, but by the time it came around Queen Victoria, and the whole court were still officially in mourning for Albert. This period was a very sombre time at court, everyone had to wear black and the Queen was scarcely seen in public, and yet the wedding went ahead as planned because Albert would have wished it.

(public domain)

On 1 July 1862, the couple were married in a small ceremony at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Alice was given away by her uncle Ernst, and Victoria sat behind a screen during the ceremony as she was too upset by the wedding as it reminded her of her own happy times. Queen Victoria even commented that the wedding felt more like a funeral and the bride was only permitted to wear her wedding dress for a brief time before changing back into her mourning garbs.

Alice and Louis soon moved to Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine where Alice had to adjust to a much simpler way of life, living in an old house by the roadside with little income. Here she threw herself into charity work and began to study art, luckily Alice did not mind the drop in status as she loved her new husband dearly.

In 1863, Alice had her first child, a daughter named Victoria. The baby was born in England, and her grandmother, the Queen was there and was quick to judge Alice for wishing to breastfeed the child. The couple had a further six children in the following decade, their daughters; Irene, Elisabeth, Alix and Marie and their sons Friedrich and Ernst.

Alice was a doting mother, but still made time for charity works, focusing on women’s charities and her charities began to run the state military hospitals during the Austro-Prussian war. This was a difficult time for Alice as Hesse was supporting Austria in the war and her sister was Crown Princess of Prussia! By the end of the war, Hesse had lost a lot of money and also land, which was devastating to Alice’s family.

In 1873, Alice and Louis suffered a terrible loss, when their young son Friedrich died after a fall from a window. Friedrich had been born with the family curse of haemophilia, and his death was caused by unstoppable bleeding rather than the fall itself. Alice poured her heart out in distressed letters to her mother at this time, stating “I feel lower and sadder than ever and miss him so much”. Sadly, Alice did not receive the support she needed from her busy mother and felt rather isolated in her grief. After her loss, Alice became more involved with charity work; she worked on housing reforms and social issues which became her passion, and she made real changes during her lifetime.

In the following years, Alice and her husband grew apart as she was spending time in England having treatment for an illness, and she felt her husband did not communicate properly with her. She struggled with this feeling of loneliness. The couple clearly had problems at this time but did not have the time to work on them as in 1877, Louis became Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine and therefore Alice became Grand Duchess. These roles were never expected for the couple and had only occurred because of the deaths of Louis’ father and elder brother. Despite the shock, Alice was welcomed as Grand Duchess by the people of Hesse, and she was finally able to work on some of the reform plans she had been working on to a greater extent, although she found her new role very overwhelming.

In November 1878, however, the period of joy came to an abrupt end, when diphtheria hit the Hessian household. On 5 November, the eldest child Victoria began to feel unwell and reported having a sore, stiff neck and was diagnosed with the dreaded illness. The illness began with a normal sore throat and fever but could quickly become deadly back then. The infection ravished the family, and only Elizabeth was free from it. Sadly, on 15 November little Marie choked to death, aged just four. To comfort her son Ernst, who was inconsolable over the loss of his little sister when he was eventually informed weeks later, Alice kissed the little boy on the lips.

It seemed that Alice was not unwell with the disease and she even managed to see her sister Victoria, Princess Royal, who was visiting Darmstadt in early December. On the evening of 7 December, Alice herself became ill. Her husband notified Queen Victoria, who sent her own physician – Sir William Jenner. By the 13th, Louis was informed that there was no hope and that Alice was going to die. The following morning – which was also the anniversary of Prince Albert’s death – Alice died just after 8.30 A.M. Her last words were “dear papa.”

Prime Minister Disraeli said in a memorial speech, “My Lords, there is something wonderfully piteous in the immediate cause of her death. The physicians who permitted her to watch over her suffering family enjoined her under no circumstances whatever to be tempted into an embrace. Her admirable self-restraint guarded her through the crisis of this terrible complaint in safety. She remembered and observed the injunctions of her physicians. But it became her lot to break to her little son the death of his youngest sister, to whom he was devotedly attached. The boy was so overcome with misery that the agitated mother clasped him in her arms, and thus she received the kiss of death. My Lords, I hardly know an incident more pathetic.”1

Queen Victoria wrote to her eldest daughter, “My precious child who stood by me and upheld me seventeen years ago on the same day taken, and by such a fearful, awful disease.” Her daughter wrote back, “Darling Alice – is she really gone – so good and dear, charming and lovely – so necessary to her husband and children, so widely beloved, so much admired. I can not realise it – it is too awful, too cruel, too terrible”2

Princess Victoria was not allowed by her in-laws to attend her sister’s funeral in case she too became ill. For the Queen, it was too much to bear, the loss of her daughter on the anniversary of her husband’s death. The newspapers poured out notices of support and love for Alice, who had always been a princess of the people and treated everybody with kindness. Her sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales (born Alexandra of Denmark), who loved her dearly, said: “I wish I would have died instead of her.”

The new mausoleum/Photo by Moniek Bloks

Alice was buried in Darmstadt where there is still a monument to her and little Marie. She left behind her a legacy of amazing charity work and institutions such as women’s training services and the Alice hospital in Darmstadt which continued her missions.

In a way, Alice’s sad early death spared her from further pain as she did not live to see her daughters Alix and Elizabeth marry into the Russian royal family which led to both of their murders and the murders of Alix’s children by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Alice’s line still continues today; however, her great-grandson is Prince Philip, meaning her great-great-grandson Charles will be the next king.

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The Year of Queen Victoria – Prince Albert’s Death

The death of Prince Albert would impact Queen Victoria for the rest of her life. She would mourn him by wearing black for the remaining years of her life and by falling into a deep depression for several years after his passing.

A few weeks before he died, Prince Albert eerily said, “I do not cling to life. You do, but I set no store by it. If I knew that those I love were well cared for, I should be quite ready to die tomorrow… I am sure if I had a severe illness, I should give up at once. I should not struggle for life. I have no tenacity for life.”

Details had been released to the press when he became ill in November (with symptoms of insomnia, leg and arm pain, loss of appetite, etc.), but they were vague. As time went on, increasingly contradictory press reports began circulating in the media about his health. The public was led to believe his illness was worse and more progressive than it really was. Officers at Windsor Castle did not appear to help matters as The Lancet, and the British Medical Journal complained of the information they released and wanted a formal inquiry into the matter.

Around 6 A.M. on 14 December 1861, Queen Victoria was informed that there was “ground to hope the crisis is over” and she went to see her husband. However, she was taken aback when she arrived. “The room had a sad look of night-watching, the candles burnt down to their sockets, of doctors looking anxious. I went in, and never can forget how beautiful my darling looked, lying there with his face lit up by the rising sun, his eyes unusually bright, gazing, as it were on unseen objects, and not taking notice of me.” By 10 A.M. the doctors were still quite anxious, and Victoria went out for some air. By the evening, all hope was gone. Princess Alice fetched her mother from the anteroom and Victoria “started up like a Lioness rushed by every one, and bounded on the bed imploring him to speak and to give one kiss to his little wife.” Albert opened his eyes but did not move – so Victoria moved to kiss him over and over. She then knelt beside him and took his already cold hand. His breathing became faint, and Victoria said, “Oh no, I have seen this before. This is death.”1

The Prince died at the age of 42 on 14 December 1861 in Windsor Castle’s Blue Room at 10.50 pm from typhoid fever. He was surrounded by Queen Victoria and five of their nine children. Victoria cried out, “Oh! My dear darling!”

The already numb Victoria was sedated with opium and went to bed with four-year-old Beatrice beside her. Alice slept at the foot of the bed. Victoria cried all night with Beatrice trying to comfort her, “Don’t cry. Papa is going on a visit to Grandmama.”2

Although his doctor, William Jenner, had diagnosed him with typhoid fever just a few days before his death on 7 December (as that is when the first pink typhoid rash appeared on his skin), modern historians now suspect the Prince may have died from another disease due to his suffering from stomach pain for two or more years before his death. Cancer and Crohn’s disease have been floated as potential causes of death, as well.

Interestingly, Albert was never told he had typhoid fever because the Queen said: “He had a horror of fever.”

After his death, the Prince Consort’s body was placed, temporarily, in St George’s Chapel’s Royal Vault at Windsor Castle before he was buried in the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore on 18 December 1862 (which would not be fully completed until 1871).

As Queen Victoria was utterly devastated at the death of Albert, she ordered that all of his rooms in the royal residences be kept as though he was still alive – linen and towels were changed daily, and hot water was brought in.

Queen Victoria would live for 40 more years, dying at the age of 81, on 22 January 1901. She was interred beside Albert in the Royal Mausoleum that February where the couple was finally reunited once more.

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Queen Victoria in her Journal – 14 December 1878

Queen Victoria in her Journal – 14 December 1878

This terrible day come round around again1! Slept tolerably, but awoke very often, constantly seeing darling Alice2 before me. When I woke in the morning, was not for a moment aware of all our terrible anxiety. And then it all burst upon me. I asked for news but nothing had come. Then got up and went, as I always do on this day, to the Blue Room3 and prayed there. When dressed, I went into my sitting room for breakfast, and met Brown coming in with two bad telegrams: I looked first at one from Louis4, which I did not at first take in, saying: ‘Poor Mama, poor me, my happiness is gone, dear, dear Alice. God’s will be done.’ (I can hardly write it!) The other from Sir William Jenner saying: ‘Grand Duchess became suddenly worse soon after midnight, since then could no longer take any food.’ Directly after, came another with the dreadful tidings that darling Alice sank gradually and passed away at half past 7 this morning! It was too awful I had so hoped against hope. Went to Bertie’s sitting room. His despair was great. As I kissed him, he said, ‘It is the good who are always taken.’ That this dear, talented, distinguished, tender-hearted, noble-minded, sweet child, who behaved so admirably during her father’s illness, and afterwards, in supporting me, and helping me in every possible way, should be called back to her father on this very anniversary, seems most incredible, and most mysterious. To me there seems something touching in the union which this brings, their names being forever united on this day of their birth into another better world.5

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Queen Victoria in her Journal – 13 December 1878

Queen Victoria in her Journal – 13 December 1878

Terribly anxious day, just like ’61 and ’71, At a little after 11 came a telegram from Louis1, which gave me an awful shock. ‘Jenner has just seen Alice2, is consulting with doctors. He does not despair, but I see no hope; my prayers are exhausted.’ This upset me too dreadfully… Dear Beatrice3 and I felt nearly hopeless. My distress great. Walked down to the dear peaceful mausoleum. Just beyond Frogmore, we met a footman with a telegram. Stopped and read it. It was Sir William (Jenner) and bore bad tidings: ‘Disease in wind-pipe extended, difficulty of breathing at times considerable; gravity of condition increased since I last telegraphed. Restlessness very great.’ Too dreadful! Could settle down to nothing, agony great. Lenchen4 came to luncheon. All so terribly anxious, hoping – fearing.5

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Margaret of Bohemia – A funeral instead of a wedding

There are many “what-ifs” in history.  One major “what-if” is the proposed marriage of Casimir III of Poland to Margaret of Bohemia.  This marriage could have improved relations between the neighbouring kingdoms of Bohemia and Poland, as well as provided Casimir with heirs.  However, Margaret died soon before the marriage was supposed to happen, relations between the two kingdoms worsened, and Casimir never had a legitimate son.

Early years and Duchess of Bavaria

Margaret was born on 8 July 1313.  She was the first-born child of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia and Elisabeth of Bohemia.  When she was about a year old, her father planned to have her betrothed to the orphaned Henry XV, Duke of Lower Bavaria, who was about a year older than her.  However, these plans were dropped.  By 1319, Margaret was joined by a sister, Judith (later known as Bonne) and a brother Wenceslaus (later known as Charles).  That same year, a revolt broke out against John.  The King, believing his wife to be behind the conspiracy, took Margaret and her younger siblings from her.

By 1322, John and Elisabeth seemed to have reconciled, and another son, John Henry was born.  Already in 1321, John was making plans for Margaret’s marriage.  This time he was considering Henry XIV, another Duke of Lower Bavaria.  Henry XIV was less than eight years older than Margaret and was a first cousin of Henry XV, who John earlier considered.  On 12 August 1322, an agreement for this marriage was signed.  The same year, Margaret was sent to Bavaria, and a symbolic consummation of her marriage took place.

Soon, Elisabeth had another falling out with John.  Margaret was apparently her favourite daughter, and Elisabeth fled from John and joined Margaret in Bavaria.  At the time, Elisabeth was pregnant with twins.  On 27 March 1323, she gave birth to twin daughters named Anne and Elisabeth in the Bavarian town of Cham.  In 1324, one of the twins, Elisabeth died, and in 1325, the Queen, Margaret, and Anne returned to Bohemia.  By this time, Margaret’s two closest siblings, Judith/Bonne and Wenceslaus/Charles had been sent to France.

On 12 February 1328, Margaret left her mother and returned to Bavaria for her marriage.  On 12 August, Margaret and Henry XIV of Bavaria were married in Straubing.  On 29 November 1329, Margaret gave birth to a son named John.  He was later followed by a second son Henry, who died in infancy.  Apparently Margaret and Henry had a happy marriage.  Henry, however, suffered from leprosy.  The couple would have no more children, perhaps due to Henry’s illness.  He died on 1 September 1339.

On Henry’s death, ten-year-old John became the new Duke of Lower Bavaria.  The Holy Roman Emperor, Louis IV, was a relative of John and Henry.  He was from the Upper Bavarian branch of the Wittelsbach dynasty.  The Emperor became young John’s guardian and had him married to his daughter, Anna.  Margaret was entitled to widow’s rights in Bavaria, and had to argue with the Emperor for them.  At first, she succeeded.  However, the young John died in December 1340, aged eleven.  One chronicle reports that he was poisoned by Louis.  Since John was the last member of the Lower Bavarian branch, Bavaria was reunited under the Emperor.  Louis stripped Margaret of her widow’s properties and sent her back to Bohemia in May 1341.

Proposed marriage to Casimir of Poland

Once Margaret arrived back in her homeland, her father and brother Charles, were already making plans for her to marry again.  As part of an alliance against Emperor Louis, they proposed for Margaret to marry King Casimir III of Poland.  Casimir had lost his first wife, Aldona Anna of Lithuania the same year Margaret had lost her husband.  By this marriage, Casimir had two daughters, so he was in need of a son.  Since Margaret had sons by her previous marriage, there was hope that she could give sons to Casimir.

Margaret was apparently not happy with this arrangement.  Some believe that she did not want to marry a man who spent fourteen years married to a woman who was raised a pagan.  After much urging from Charles, she finally agreed to this marriage.  In the summer of 1341, Casimir left for Prague to meet his new wife.

Unfortunately, Margaret became ill some weeks before the wedding was to happen.  Charles desperately prayed for her recovery.  However, Margaret died on 11 July 1341, three days after her 28th birthday, and some days before the wedding was to take place.

Aftermath

Apparently Casimir arrived in Prague before Margaret’s death.  Sources seem to differ on whether they ever met.  The chronicler Matthew of Neuenburg writes “From her first glace at this man… who appeared to her like a heathen, this refined woman was so deeply shocked that, after a brief greeting, she turned to the wall without a word and died.”1  Two days after Margaret’s death, Casimir signed documents about the Polish-Czech alliance.  This alliance was to last even in the event of Margaret’s death.  Most sources guess that Casimir was not yet aware that Margaret had died.  Apparently, John and Charles kept Margaret’s death a secret for a few days, because they did not want to ruin Casimir’s trip.  The deeply anticipated royal wedding was replaced with Margaret’s funeral.  Margaret was buried beside her mother in Zbraslav Monastery.

John and Charles quickly looked for a new wife for Casimir.  They chose Adelaide of Hesse, who was not a close relation to them.  Casimir and Adelaide married in September of the same year.  The marriage was childless, and Casimir and Adelaide separated in 1355.  Casimir married twice more and had three daughters by his last marriage.  He never had a legitimate son.

A few years later, Casimir went to war against John and Charles.  Casimir later reconciled with Charles, who became the King of Bohemia in 1346.  For the rest of his life, alliances would often be made and broken between Casimir and Charles.

If Margaret had survived to marry Casimir, Polish-Czech relations could have been very different indeed.  With Casimir and Charles being brothers-in-law, maybe the Polish-Czech war of 1345-1348 could have been prevented.  The history of Poland itself could also be very different.  If Margaret had survived and borne Casimir a surviving son, the Piast dynasty could have continued ruling Poland.  If so, on Casimir’s death in 1370, Poland would not have gone to Casimir’s nephew, Louis I of Hungary, so there would be no Polish-Hungarian union.  Margaret of Bohemia quickly became forgotten, but her death might have changed the destiny of Poland and Bohemia.2

 

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From the Queen to the German Crown Princess – 12 December 1878

From the Queen to the German Crown Princess – Windsor Castle, 12 December 1878

Alas! It is a severe attack that our poor darling Alice1 has got – but still, the report of Sir William2(who I have telegraphed to) is on the whole favourable. But the anxiety is terrible, wearing and to be so far away is agonising.

I fear it was from poor Ernie3 she got it from when she told him of little May’s4 death. The greatest sympathy is shown. People know how nobly she behaved and stood by me when darling Papa died, and how bravely and devotedly she has watched her husband and children and with what Christian resignation she had borne her sad loss – and now to be struck down herself. It is quite dreadful.5

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From Queen Victoria to the Princess Royal – 11 December 1861

From Queen Victoria to the Princess Royal – Windsor Castle, 11 December 1861

I can, I am thankful to say, report another good night. I am writing in the room next to where beloved Papa is sleeping. The doctors are satisfied; he holds his ground and contrary to what is generally the case with such fevers – he is not weaker, though he gets sadly thin. It is a dreadful trial to witness this, and requires all my strength of mind and courage not to be overcome – when I look at him – so totally unlike himself. We are very fortunate in the doctors. Jenner is admirable. It was thought necessary to satisfy the public to have another eminent doctor to come and see him, which I own distressed me much, but however I submitted, and Papa did not dislike it or object to it – and so Dr Watson comes to see him, who is a sensible, good, clever man. My time is entirely taken up with precious Papa – and so engrossed with him – that I can think of little else. I am sorry that the elections have taken such a very liberal turn. That will alarm the King.1

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Queen Marie of Romania (2019) Film Review

Queen Marie of Romania begins in 1919 with Marie handing out bread to starving people before whisked away due to safety concerns. Marie is scolded by her husband for going out, and he tells her that the negotiations of the Paris Peace Conference are not going well for Romania.

Marie then writes to her cousin, King George V of the United Kingdom, asking him for help. We also see her arguing with her son Carol about his relationship with Zizi Lambrino, but as she lectures him about his love for a commoner, she is shown as romantically linked to Prince Barbu Știrbey. Marie is then asked to go to Paris to represent Romania and to improve their position, and she accepts. She takes along her daughters Elisabeth, Maria and Ileana.

She is welcomed in Paris where the press eagerly awaits her to watch her every move. Some realise she is there for the peace talks and not just for social engagements. The politicians are less than impressed and consider her just a woman in Paris to show off her dresses. She finally manages to secure a meeting with French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau who throws the Treaty of Bucharest in her face, but she argues about the validity of the treaty while fake-crying. She also argues for several regions that belonged to Romania and asks for justice.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Lloyd George, she is forced to shout across the table after he places her on the other side. She refuses to give up, demanding to know when the British will recognise the sacrifice of the Romanians. She then decides to visit King Georg V himself, and we also meet Queen Mary. She asks him for help, and although he recognises that she has given her heart to Romania, he is reluctant to help. With some friendly advice from Nancy Astor, Marie returns to Paris with newfound determination.

She meets with Prime Minister Lloyd George again and reminds him that she is Queen Victoria’s granddaughter. He agrees to promote the cause of a Greater Romania. She also finally finds a way to President Wilson – through his wife Edith whom she meets at a charity event. However, she finds President Wilson unwilling to see her side of the story. She invites him and his wife over for a visit, hoping that he will be impressed the natural riches – like oil. By then end of the meeting, he reluctantly agrees to see what he can do. Marie leaves Paris – having made quite an impression and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau – nicknamed the Tiger – calls her The Lioness.

Upon her return home, her son Carol mocks her for having believed in the promises of politicians. Marie walks out and bursts into tears in her rooms. She retreats to Pelișor Castle, disappointed in being let down by her husband – who did not stand up for her. He eventually comes to visit her, reminding her of all they have been through and how he admires her. He then tells her that her quest in Paris was successful against all the odds. She had succeeded. She and her husband were crowned monarchs of Greater Romania in 1922.

Roxana Lupu really is the embodiment of Queen Marie, and she brings her to life really well. The locations and sets are all beautiful, and you really are transported back in time 100 years. I loved the inclusion of the historical footage of the coronation. Several languages are spoken in the film, but the primary language is English and English subtitles are also available. The only thing I didn’t like was the plastic look of the tiaras.

Queen Marie of Romania can be viewed via Vimeo for just $5, and I consider this money well spent! If you wish to read more about Marie, you can read our article on her right here.

 

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Police files on Queen Victoria’s goddaughter Princess Sophia Duleep Singh to go on display

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh was the daughter of the exiled Indian Maharaja Duleep Singh and, in addition to being Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, she also lived in a grace and favour apartment at Hampton Court.

She was also a devoted suffragette and surveillance files compiled on her will go on display for the first time at the British Library next year as part of its spring show exploring the history of the fight for women’s rights. She was closely monitored by the police and the files stretch from 1902 until 1920. Around 180 objects in total will go on display, some for the first time. Sophia’s diary will also be on display.

Polly Russell, the curator, told The Guardian: “We are trying to tell a really big story and to connect this current moment of activism to the history.” Russell added the files gave “a sense of just how unsettled people were … by her but also by suffrage as a whole. It was seen as a real problem for the state.”

Unfinished Business: The Fight for Women’s Rights is on at the British Library from 24 April to 23 August 2020.

Read more about Sophia here.

 

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Why wasn’t the future Queen Elizabeth II created Princess of Wales?

Even though most of the people have never known any other British monarch than Queen Elizabeth II, she was never given the title of the heir to the throne – Prince(ss) of Wales. Why was that?

The title was granted to Welsh princes before the 12th century, and it was first used as the title for the heir to the throne by King Edward I of England, who invested his son, the future Edward II, as the first English Prince of Wales in 1301. The future Queen Mary I was sent to the Welsh Marshes but was also never created Princess of Wales. The title is not automatic and merges with the crown upon accession to the throne.

In addition, the title Prince of Wales can only be given to the heir apparent. At the time of Queen Elizabeth’s accession, she was “only” the heiress presumptive. If at any time her parents had had a son, he would have displaced her in the line of succession as the succession still followed male-preference primogeniture. This is different, for example, in Spain, who still abide by this system, but the heir (whether heir apparent or heiress presumptive) is automatically granted the title of Prince(ss) of Asturias. The current Princess of Asturias, Leonor, could still be displaced by the birth of a younger brother, and he would automatically become Prince of Asturias.

Just before the future Queen Elizabeth’s 18th birthday, a Welsh Town Council petitioned Winston Churchill asking to invest Elizabeth as Princess of Wales to improve Ango-Welsh relations. Her father, King George VI, consulted Churchill on the matter. They, too, considered that the title had never been held by an heiress presumptive. King George considered it to be a family matter, but he did say that the Dominion MPs could suggest a Dominion title if they wanted. The cabinet eventually agreed with the King and on 12 February 1944, it was officially announced that her title would not be changed. King George later said to his mother, Queen Mary, “How could I create Lillibet the Princess of Wales when it is the recognised title of the wife of the Prince of Wales? Her own name is so nice and what name would she be called by when she marries, I want to know.”1 So in the end, she was never created Princess of Wales.

The situation has changed slightly with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which introduced absolute primogeniture. This means that we may one day have a female heiress apparent and perhaps by then, she might become Princess of Wales in her own right. Surely, if it is too confusing to have a male Prince of Wales who is not the future King Regnant, some other title can be made for him. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The current Prince of Wales is Prince Charles, and the Princess of Wales is his wife, Camilla, though she uses the lesser title of Duchess of Cornwall.

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