Prince Alfred of Edinburgh - Definition and Overview

His Royal Highness Prince Alfred of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was a member of the British Royal Family. He was born on October 15, 1874 at Buckingham Palace, London. His father was His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second eldest son of Queen Victoria and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh (née Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, a daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia). In 1893, Prince Alfred's great uncle, Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Prince Albert's brother) died without heirs. The Prince of Wales had renounced his claim to the ducal throne of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, therefore the vacant duchy fell to Alfred's father, the Duke of Edinburgh. Alfred therefore became styled HRH The Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Prince Alfred lived in Clarence House in the early years of his life with his parents and sisters. After his father's accession to the ducal throne of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, he moved to Schloss Rosenau at Coburg. In 1899, he became involved in a scandal with a mistress greatly upsetting his parents. He later attempted suicide during their 25th wedding anniversary celebrations by shooting himself. He failed however and was exiled to Meran to recover. However he died two weeks later on July 6, 1899. He was burried at Friedenstein, near Gotha.

His death meant the dukedom of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha would pass to his cousin, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold Charles, Duke of Albany.

See Also

• List of British princes
• Prince
• HRH