Albert Kamehameha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Albert Kamehameha | |
|---|---|
| Crown Prince of the Hawaiian Islands | |
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| Full name | |
| Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha | |
| Titles and styles | |
| HRH The Crown Prince | |
| Royal house | House of Kamehameha |
| Father | Alexander Liholiho King Kamehameha IV |
| Mother | Queen Emma Kaleleonalani Naʻea |
| Born | 20 May 1858 Honolulu, Oʻahu, |
| Died | 27 August 1862 (aged 4) Honolulu, Oʻahu, |
Prince Albert Kamehameha, Crown Prince of Hawaiʻi, formally Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha (May 20, 1858 - August 27, 1862), was the only son of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma Kaleleonalani Naʻea
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[edit] Early Life
He was created Crown prince and heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi on May 24, 1858. His name is translated from the Hawaiian language to mean "the beloved child of a long line of chiefs, a sign in the heavens." Styled His Royal Highness the Prince of Hawaii by the Privy Council. Adored by the native Hawaiian public, he was affectionately known as Ka Haku O Hawaiʻi and was believed to be the hope of Hawaiʻi and the last hope of the Kamehameha Dynasty. He was the last child ever to be born to a reigning Hawaiian monarch. He was the godson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. He was named Albert Edward after Albert, Prince Consort of the United Kingdom and Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa after his hanaied grandfather Kauikeaouli who reign as Kamehameha III. Albert during his life was also made an honorary member of Fire Engine Company Number Four in Honolulu and was given his own Company Four red uniform. It was said that he would rather become a firemen. Emma and Alexander affectionately called their child Baby and would take him wherever they went by land or water, in Coach, wagon or on horseback.
[edit] Death
Sadly, at the age of four, he contracted meningitis as a result of being dowsed under a cold-water faucet by his father after throwing a tantrum over a pair of boots. (However, others believe he may have died from a case of appendicitis.)
As the prince's condition started to decline, Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma made a personal request to Queen Victoria, to send a bishop from the Anglican Church to Hawai'i in order to baptize the prince. They also requested Queen Victoria to be the godmother of Ka Haku o Hawai'i. Queen Victoria consented to both requests, and sent as a gift a silver christening cup, about three feet high, and very elaborate. But as the prince grew sicker, the American minister from Kawaiahaʻo Church baptized and christened the child. The prince died soon thereafter, on August 27, 1862.
Afterwards, the King was devastated and fell into despair, blaming himself for the loss of his son. He then ordered the construction of the Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu to house his son's body. (Today, the mausoleum is burial site of most of the members of the Hawaiian royal family.) The King's depression was so severe that he considered abdicating the throne. Sadly, a year later, he would die as well. To express her grief, Queen Emma took the name Kaleleonālani “Flight of the Heavenly Chiefs,” to symbolize her double loss.
[edit] Legacy
The town of Princeville on the island of Kauai was named in honor of the young prince by Scotsman Robert Crichton Wyllie, a loyal advisor to Kamehameha III and IV. It was Wyllie's intention to deed the estate to Albert, proclaiming it to be the "Barony de Princeville," or "city of the prince." Wyllie's plans would never see fruition as the prince died at the age of four and his father, King Kamehamena IV died a year later.
In addition, Kaleiopapa Street in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi and the Leiopapa a Kamehameha Building (a.k.a the State Office Tower) in downtown Honolulu is named after him. According to local folklore, his ghost is said to inhabit the building.
