Francis, Duke of Teck
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prince Francis | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Teck | |
 |
|
| Spouse | Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge |
| Issue | |
| Queen Mary Prince Adolphus Prince Francis Prince Alexander |
|
| Full name | |
| Francis Paul Charles Louis Alexander | |
| Titles | |
| HH The Duke of Teck HSH The Duke of Teck HSH Prince Francis of Teck Count Francis von Hohensteinrk |
|
| Royal house | Württemberg |
| Father | Duke Alexander of Württemberg |
| Mother | Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde |
| Born | 28 August 1837 Esseg, Slavonia |
| Died | 21 January 1900 White Lodge, Windsor |
Francis, Duke of Teck (Francis Paul Charles Louis Alexander; German: Franz Paul Karl Ludwig Alexander) (28 August 1837 – 21 January 1900), was a member of the British Royal Family, the father of Queen Mary. Francis held the titles of Count of Hohenstein (Graf von Hohenstein) and later Duke of Teck (Herzog von Teck). He was granted the style of Highness in 1887.
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[edit] Early life
Francis was born on 28 August 1837 in Esseg, Slavonia (now Osijek, Croatia).[1] His father was Duke Alexander of Württemberg, the son of Duke Louis of Württemberg. His mother was Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde. The marriage was morganatic, meaning that Francis had no succession rights to the Kingdom of Württemberg. His title at birth was Count Francis von Hohenstein, after his mother was created Countess of Hohenstein in her own right by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria. Through the House of Württemberg, Francis was distantly descended from the Habsburgs, the then powerful ruling family of Austria.
In 1863, Francis was created Prince of Teck, with the style His Serene Highness in the Kingdom of Württemberg, and in 1871, was created Duke of Teck.
[edit] Army
Like his father, Duke Alexander, Francis embarked upon a career in the Austrian army, eventually rising to the rank of captain in the 7th Hussars during the Austro-Prussian War. He retired from the Austrian army in 1866. Later he became attached to the staff of British General Sir Garret Wolseley during the 1882 Egyptian campaign. He was gazetted a colonel in the British Army in 1882 and subsequently promoted to major general in 1893.
[edit] Marriage
As the product of a morganatic marriage, and without succession rights to the throne, Francis had little income in comparison with other European princes. This made Francis an unpopular choice with the princesses of Europe from whom he had to chose a bride. He instead married upwards, into a richer family, by marrying Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, the younger daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, and a granddaughter of King George III, who was known as Fat Mary because of her wide girth. That, together with the fact that she was now in her thirties, meant that Mary Adelaide was also short of choices for marriage.
The couple married on 12 June 1866 at St Anne's Church, Kew, West London[2]. Together they had four children:
- Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, queen-consort of the United Kingdom (1867-1953)
- Prince Adolphus of Teck, later Duke of Teck, 1st Marquess of Cambridge (1868-1927)
- Prince Francis of Teck (1870-1910)
- Prince Alexander of Teck later Earl of Athlone (1874-1957)
[edit] Hard times
Given the impoverishment of Francis, the couple were forced to survive on Mary Adelaide's small Parliamentary allowance of £5,000 per annum, supplemented by income from her mother, The Duchess of Cambridge. Mary Adelaide's requests to her cousin Queen Victoria for more funds were met with refusal, however they were granted a grace and favour apartment in Kensington Palace, London and a country house, White Lodge, the former royal deer-hunting lodge in Richmond Park, South-West London.
Despite the modest incomes of the Duke and Duchess, they lived remarkable lives of social engagements, leading to the build up of large debts. In 1883, the Tecks fled the UK to continental Europe, where they stayed with relatives in Florence and Germany. They eventually returned to the UK in 1885.
[edit] Later life
In 1887, Queen Victoria granted Francis the style of His Highness, as a gift to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. Despite this, the Tecks were still seen as minor relatives, with little status or wealth. Their fortunes improved when in 1891, their only daughter, Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (known as May to her family) became engaged to the second in line to the British throne, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence. The death of the Duke of Clarence only six weeks later looked like a cruel blow. However, Queen Victoria was fond of Princess May and persuaded the Duke of Clarence's brother, and next in the line of succession, Prince George, Duke of York to marry her instead.
In 1897, the Duchess of Teck died, leaving Francis a widower. He continued to live at White Lodge, Richmond but did not carry out any royal duties, although he continued to receive the late Duchess' Parliamentary annuity.
Francis died on 21 January 1900 at White Lodge[3]. He was buried next to his wife in the Royal Vault at St. George's Chapel, Windsor.
[edit] Titles
- Count Francis von Hohenstein
- His Serene Highness Prince Francis of Teck
- His Serene Highness The Duke of Teck
- His Highness The Duke of Teck
[edit] References
- ^ Huberty, M., Giraud, A., Magdelaine, F. & B. (1979) L’Allemagne Dynastique, Vol. II (Alain Giraud, Le Perreux, France) p.524 ISBN 2-901138-02-0
- ^ Weir, A. (1996) Britain’s Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy, Revised edition (Pimlico, London)
- ^ The London Times Tuesday, Jan 23, 1900; pg. 7; Issue 36046; col D
| Preceded by New Creation |
Duke of Teck | Succeeded by HSH Prince Adolphus of Teck |
