Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone, full birth name, Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George of Teck ( born April 14, 1874 in London, † January 16, 1957 in London), was a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest brother of Queen Mary.
Youth
Alexander was the youngest son of Duke Francis of Teck (1837-1900) and his wife Princess Mary Adelaide of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover (1833-1897), youngest daughter of Prince Adolphus Frederick, 1st Duke of Cambridge, and Princess Auguste of Hesse. The paternal grandparents were Prince Alexander of Württemberg and Claudine Rhédey of Kis- RHEDE, later Countess of Hohenstein. Alexander grew up in Kensington Palace and Country House White Lodge in Richmond Park, with his siblings:
- Princess Victoria Mary (1867-1953), married to King George V of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of India
- Prince Adolphus, later called " The Right Honourable Alexander Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge " ( 1868-1927 ), married to Lady Margaret Evelyn Grosvenor ( 1873-1929 ).
- Prince Francis (Franz) ( 1870-1910 )
See also: Teck / Cambridge family.
Training and military
Prince Alexander was educated at Eton College before he was given a military education at the Military Academy Sandhurst. In 1894, he appeared as a regular officer in a unit stationed in India. 1896/97 he took part in the fighting in Southern Rhodesia, in 1899 in South Africa on the Boer War. As a personal aide to the future King George V and his wife Mary ( his sister ) took Alexander in 1901 at the six-month journey through the British Empire on the ship Ophir part.
At the outbreak of the First World War, Alexander was promoted to Major and took part with his regiment in battles in France and Flanders. Later he headed the British mission in the Belgian headquarters.
Marriage and work in the service of the Crown
On February 10, 1904 married Prince Alexander at Windsor Castle Princess Alice of Great Britain and Ireland, daughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and granddaughter of Queen Victoria. The couple had three children: Princess May of Teck (1906-1994), Prince Rupert of Teck (1907-1928) and Prince Maurice of Teck. Born in March 1910 Prince Maurice died during a visit to the couple in Gotha at the age of just six months. He found his final resting place on the burial island of the pond in Gotha Castle Park.
1917 King George V renounced to all his German titles, as well as the members of the royal family. In this context, put Alexander at the request of the King ( against his conviction ) all his German titles and adopted on 14 July 1917 at Cambridge family name. On July 16th 1917 the king granted him the title of Earl of Athlone and Viscount Trematon.
From 1923 to 1931 Alexander represented the British Crown as Governor-General in South Africa. In 1940 he was appointed Governor General of Canada, an office he held until 1946. From 1932 to 1955 he was also Chancellor of the University of London. As personal aide Alexander served four kings, he was buried by George V to Elizabeth II in the royal cemetery of Frogmore House.
Awards
( incomplete)