The TRAGIC Death of Prince Alfred | Queen Victoria's Son

the death of Prince Alfred deep within the enchanted walls of a German Castle the Fateful month of July in the year 1900 cast a gloomy Shadow upon Prince Alfred the Second Son of Queen Victoria grievously afflicted by a merciless bout of throat cancer his life teetered on the edge yet the cruel hands of Destiny had already doubt him a heavy blow the year prior when his young son of only 24 years old perished under suspicious circumstances Prince Alfred often overlooked throughout history held the distinguished position of Queen Victoria's fourth child and Second Son though destined to reside third in line to the throne his Prodigy would Ascend to become queens and rulers in their own right however the devastating demise of this beloved Prince plunged Queen Victoria into profound sorrow adding an unbearable weight upon her weary shoulders for her herself would pass from this world a million later now let us delve into the harrowing tale of the tragic demise of Queen Victoria's cherished son on a momentous day the 6th of August in the year 1844 the grand Tours of Windsor Castle welcomed the arrival of Prince Alfred affectionately known as Alfie as fate would have it he assumed the second spot in line of succession trailing only his assumed elder brother Edward VII the Prince of Wales in accordance with tradition he received a Regal baptism solidifying his position as the second in line to ascend the British throne however as the tides of Time carried on his status waned as his brother Edward and his wife Alexandra of Denmark ushered forth their firstborn son Prince Albert Victor alas Prince Alfred would be further displaced in the line of succession as his brother welcomed more offspring into the world nevertheless during his Tender Years he embarked upon a maritime Adventure setting sail in the Royal Navy at the tender age of 12. his unwavering dedication and prowess saw him Excel passing examinations with flying colors to become a naval Cadet at the age of 14. his voyagers took him aboard numerous Majestic vessels and he transverse foreign lands gracing them with his Regal presence during official visits however Destiny had a different plan in store for Prince Alfred when in 1862 the king of Greece abdicated and Alfred was selected as his successor unfortunately the British government intervened opposing Queen Victoria's stance on the matter plans were already underway for Alfred to assume the role of the Duke of saxor Coburg a vision Queen Victoria has specifically tailored just for him despite this setback Alfred remained devoted to his Naval career and continued to ascend the ranks his remarkable talent for Fleet Management earned him High Praise with many considering him a top-notch Admiral and exceptional leadership skills in 1866 he was bestowed the title of the Duke of Edinburgh which marked the beginning of his remarkable Voyage around the globe during his Grand Expedition he embarked on a journey that took him to various countries including Australia where he became the first member of the royal family to Greece at Shores Alfred's presence was met with great enthusiasm and he spent approximately five months immersing himself in the Australian experience however amid this momentous visit a grave incident unfolded that had the potential to claim his life and profoundly impact his well-being it was on the 12th of March 1868 while in Sydney that the Telford attended a charitable event held in a beachfront suburb to raise funds for the Sydney Sailors home tragically amidst their festivities he fell victim to an assassination attempt when Henry James O'Farrell fired a revolver piercing the princes back to the right of his spine Swift action was taken as six dedicated nurses tirelessly cared for him around the clock over a period of two weeks during the chaotic struggle a brave individual managed to disarm a Farrell after he continued firing at the prince Justice prevailed when ophal was subsequently executed for his heinous crime after recovering from his injury Alfred resumed his command of the ship and embarked on further voyages that took him to captivating destinations like Hawaii and New Zealand his visit to New Zealand marked a significant Milestone as he became the first member of the royal family to set on its Shores from there he continued his travels to India showcasing his value as an invaluable asset to Queen Victoria Alfred proved himself to be a skilled and accomplished Statesman on the international stage Queen Victoria had long harbored intentions of arranging a marriage between Alfred and Princess Dagmar of Denmark however due to political tensions between European countries the Queen's plans were sorted it was during a visit to his sister Princess Alice that Alfred encountered a fateful meeting with grand duchess Marie alexandrova of Russia on the 23rd of January 1875 Alfred exchanged vows with Maria who held the distinguished title of being in the second and sole surviving daughter of Emperor Alexander II of Russia with their marriage Alfred and Maria assumed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and made their way to London however their Union was not a blissful one and it is believed that Alfred's wife became excessively preoccupied with assimilating into London's socialite circles causing a strain in their relationship Alfred's dedication to his Naval career remained unwavering as he commanded various ships and steadily climbed the ranks on the 18th of October 1887 he achieved the esteemed position of admiral not only that but he also had the prestigious role of the commander-in-chief of the Navy later ascending to the rank of admiral of the fleet his exceptional skills as commander-in-chief were widely recognized with many considering him unparalleled and his ability to handle a fleet implementing significant advancements in signaling and maneuvering Alfred's passion for Gunnery was evident and he took a keen interest in this field among the remarkable vessels he oversaw one that particularly stood out was the Duke of edinburghs which was hailed as the most aesthetically pleasing ship ever encountered following the passing of his uncle Alfred assumed the title of the Duke of saxophobic and gotha although he relinquished his British allowance seat in the House of Lords and membership of the private Council he retained Clarence House as his residence in London as he ventured to the duchy he was initially perceived as a foreigner however as time progressed Alfred's amiable nature and contributions and deared him to the people of sadachi ultimately earning their widespread popularity and support however a dark cloud loomed over Alfred's family when his son Alfred became embroiled in a scandal in 1899 tragically in January of that same year he allegedly took his own life the distressing event occurred during the celebration of Alfred and Maria's 25th wedding anniversary but their son was conspicuously absent prior to the unfortunate incident he had been under the care of the family at their residence before being sent to a sanatorium where he eventually passed away this devastating loss undoubtedly had a profound impact on Alfred's life casting a shadow of his emotions and well-being adding to the sorrow Alfred himself battled deteriorating Health succumbing to the grips of throat cancer and in a sudden and unexpected turn of events paralysis of the heart seized him and the Duke breathed his last breath Queen Victoria upon receiving the heartbreaking news of her son's demise was overcome with profound grief and extended her heartfelt sympathy as a testament to his memory a memorial honoring Alfred was erected in the Serene grounds of Balmoral Prince Alfred's life is characterized by Brilliance and distinction his remarkable contributions as a member of the Navy and his unwavering commitment to his duties as a prince shown brightly however the untimely death and throat cancer caused a somber note claiming the lie for Queen Victoria's Second Son and leaving a void that would be forever felt please continue to support my channel by subscribing please comment like And subscribe if you wish for more stories and leave your suggestions below and I will endeavor to cover them

Channel: Past People

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Id: 9Q_A2IxG9os

Length: 9min 34sec (574 seconds)

Published: Mon Jun 19 2023