HRH Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales

He was born Prince Albert Edward on 9 Nov 1841, eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He married Princess Alexandra of Denmark on 10 Mar 1863 but had many mistresses. His eldest son, Prince Albert Victor served as an officer in the 10th Hussars but sadly died of pneumonia in 1892. His younger son George acceded to the throne when Edward died on 6 May 1910.
The Prince of Wales was appointed Colonel of the 10th Hussars on 18 April 1863 at the age of 22. This oil portrait, photographed at the officer’s mess at Tidworth shows the Prince in the dress uniform of a full colonel of the 10th Hussars, his rank badges of a star and crown sewn on his collar. His pouch-belt is on top of the blue sash of the Knight of the Garter to which he was appointed in 1858. As well as the KG badge he also has the badge for the Order of the Bath which he received in 1865. There is another Maltese Cross shaped award at his neck, and a small medal next to it. The portrait must date after 1865 and is probably before 1870, certainly before 1871 when the leathered trousers seen here, were replaced in the cavalry by breeches and hessian boots.
He was Colonel of the regiment for nearly 40 years, until he became King on 1901. He was then Colonel-in-Chief until his death in 1910. He was a very hands-on Colonel, involved with all the major reviews held in Britain. In January 1876 he visited the 10th while they were stationed in India. He was on very friendly terms with the CO Valentine Baker and supported him when he was tried for sexual assault. This caused friction between the Prince and his mother who refused to forgive Baker.

Regimental Details | Colonels