Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence & Avondale

His Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward of Wales was born at Frogmore House, Windsor on 8 Jan 1864. He was 2 months premature. His parents were The Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Alexandra of Denmark. He was known as Eddy. He and his brother Prince George were educated together by a tutor, John Dalton. He described Albert Victor’s mind as abnormally dormant and some have ascribed his learning difficulties to his premature birth. In 1877 he was sent to HMS Britannia for Naval training but contracted typhoid fever. However he and George were sent on a 3-year world tour as naval cadets. They visited many parts of the British Empire and returned when Albert Victor was 18.
He was sent to Cambridge where he enjoyed the social life but was not at all academic. His degree was an honorary one awarded in 1888. There are hints that he was homosexual or at least bisexual. The rumours about his sexuality became full-blown when the Cleveland Street gay brothel scandal was exposed in July 1889. On 17 June 1885 he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 10th Hussars, of which his father was Colonel. He hated the drill at Aldershot but enjoyed polo. He was promoted to captain on 21 June 1887, major on 25 May 1889. From October 1889 to the spring of 1890 he was on a tour of India during which time he had a relationship with a widow, Mrs Margery Haddon, which may have produced a son, Clarence, but this story was later discredited.
On 24 May 1890 Prince Albert Victor was created Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and Earl of Athlone. But two months later he was suffering from an illness that was obscure at the time and put down to his earlier sexually transmitted diseases. However he seemed well enough to conduct affairs with at least two chorus girls from the Gaiety Theatre in 1891. His personal affairs had to be put aside when he became engaged to Princess Mary of Teck in December 1891. The wedding was arranged for 27 Feb 1892 but there was a flu pandemic at the time and Albert Victor fell victim, contracting pneumonia. He died on 14 Jan 1892 at Sandringham. The photo shows him in the dress uniform of the 10th with the rank of major.

Regimental Details | Soldiers