Francis, Duke of Teck
Duke Francis of Teck ( Francis Paul Charles Louis Alexander) ( born August 27, 1837 in Osijek, Croatia; † 21 January, 1900 in White Lodge, Richmond Park, Surrey, UK ) was a member of the British royal family and the father of Queen Mary. Francis had the title of Count of Hohenstein in the Empire of Austria and later the Duke of Teck, in the Kingdom of Württemberg. 1887 gave him the salutation Highness Queen Victoria.
Origin
His father was Duke Alexander of Württemberg (1804-1885), son of Duke Louis of Württemberg. His mother was Countess Claudine Rhédey of Kis- RHEDE. This marriage was morganatic, so that even his father was excluded from the succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Württemberg. Franz was born as " Graf von Hohenstein ," his mother of Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria was appointed to the Countess of Hohenstein suo jure.
1863 Franz was raised to a Prince of Teck with the title " Highness " and 1871 for the Duke of Teck.
Military career
On 6 March 1889, Duke Franz Colonel à la suite of Dragoons "Queen Olga " (1 Württembergisches ) No. 25, October 18, 1891, Major General, Lieutenant-General April 18, 1895.
Marriage
The son of a morganatic marriage, without succession rights, Franz had little income in comparison to other European princes. He had poor prospects for marriage. He eventually married Princess Mary Adelaide of Great Britain, Ireland and Hannover, daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge and granddaughter of King George III. , Which was called because of their excess weight " Fat Mary ". Thus, they had poor prospects for marriage, which was exacerbated by the fact that she was over 30.
The couple married on 12 June 1866 Kew Palace in London. The Duke and Duchess of Teck had four children (see also Teck / Cambridge - family):
- Princess Mary (1867-1953), married to King George V of Great Britain and Ireland, Emperor of India
- Adolphus, 2nd Duke of Teck, later "The Most Honourable Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge " ( 1868-1927 ), married to Lady Margaret Grosvenor, daughter of the 1st Duke of Westminster
- Prince Francis (Franz) ( 1870-1910 )
- Prince Alexander, later called " The Right Honourable Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone " ( 1874-1957 ), married to Princess Alice of Great Britain and Ireland, daughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany and granddaughter of Queen Victoria
Financial ratios
Due to the relatively modest financial means, the couple was forced to live by Mary Adelaide alimony in the amount of 5000 pounds per year, supported by income from her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge. Mary Adelaide's efforts to get more money from her cousin Queen Victoria, were unsuccessful. However, the couple got an apartment at Kensington Palace and the Villa " White Lodge " in Richmond Park. Despite the modest income of the Duke and Duchess of Teck led an extravagant lifestyle, which they made debt. 1883 they finally had to flee from their creditors from the UK and lived with relatives in Florence and in Germany. They eventually returned to Britain in 1885.
Later life
1887 Queen Victoria gave Franz the salutation " sovereignty " as a gift to her Golden Jubilee. The financial situation of Teck's improved also, as in 1891 their daughter Princess Mary became engaged with the British heir to the throne Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence. After the death of the prince just six weeks after the engagement persuaded Queen Victoria 's brother the Duke of Clarence, the nachrückte in line to the throne, Prince George, Duke of York to hold Mary's hand.
Died in 1897, the Duchess of Teck. Duke Francis continued to live in White Lodge, but came to no public obligations. He died there on January 21, 1900, and was buried in the royal tomb of St. George 's Chapel in Windsor. There were rumors that Franz died in reality in a Viennese brothel and that his body was taken secretly to the UK in order to save his daughter, the future Queen, inconvenience.
Awards (selection)
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown
- 1866 Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB )
- 1897 Grand Cross of the Victoria Order ( GCVO )