Louise, Princess Royal

Louise, Princess Royal (Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar; 20 February 1867 – 4 January 1931) was the third child and eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom. She was a younger sister of King George V. Louise was granted the title of Princess Royal in 1905. Known for her reserved and quiet nature, she remained a low-profile member of the royal family throughout her life.

Early life

File:James Sant (1820-1916) - Princess Louise of Wales (1867-1931) - RCIN 404995 - Royal Collection.jpg

Portrait of Princess Louise by James Sant, 1872

Louise was born on 20 February 1867 at Marlborough House, the London residence of her parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.<ref name="Royal-2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Louise's father was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Her mother was the eldest daughter of Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark. She was named Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, after her maternal grandmother Queen Louise; her paternal grandmother, Queen Victoria; her mother, Alexandra, Princess of Wales; and her aunt, the Tsesarevna of Russia.Template:Sfn From birth, as a male-line granddaughter of the British monarch, she had the title Her Royal Highness Princess Louise of Wales.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn She was baptized at Marlborough House on 10 May by Charles Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury.Template:Efn

Her mother, Alexandra, suffered from rheumatic fever shortly before Louise's birth, leaving her with a permanent limp. Louise herself was considered a delicate child and was frequently unwell.Template:Sfn The Wales children were brought up largely at Marlborough House and Sandringham, where they enjoyed a relatively informal and happy childhood.Template:Sfn<ref name="Royal-2015"/> In her youth, Louise was described as a very withdrawn girl.<ref name="Oxford Dictionary National Biography">Template:Cite ODNB</ref><ref name="Royal Titles">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Louise and her sisters, Victoria and Maud were educated at home under the supervision of private tutors and studied guitar under Catharina Pratten.<ref name=cfm>Rosie Pentreath. 'Ever heard of Catharina Pratten, the star guitarist, and composer who taught Queen Victoria’s daughters?', biography at Classic FM</ref> They were noted for their spirited and playful behavior, often engaging in pillow fights and other "unladylike pastimes."Template:Sfn Their mother's strong influence meant the girls remained close to home.

As a child, Louise accompanied her mother and siblings on several extended family visits to Copenhagen and to Bernstorff Palace, where her mother had grown up.Template:Sfn Like her sisters, she was a bridesmaid at the wedding of her paternal aunt Princess Beatrice to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Louise was an accomplished musician, and sometimes played the organ in services at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham.Template:Sfn She was known as Lulu or Toots to her close family.Template:Sfn

Marriage and children

File:Duke and Duchess of fife.jpg

The Duke and Duchess of Fife, 1889

As daughter of the Prince of Wales, Louise was considered a very desirable match as a bride. She was tiring of her over-protective mother and longed to escape, yet without making a 'grand marriage' to a European prince, following her aunt the Duchess of Argyll, who married outside royalty.Template:Sfn Louise was introduced to Alexander Duff, 6th Earl of Fife at the wedding of her aunt Princess Beatrice in 1885, who was a regular companion of her father and eighteen years her senior. Four years later, she asked for her grandmother, Queen Victoria's permission to marry the Earl, insisting that if she was not allowed to marry him she would surely die an old maid.Template:Sfn

Queen Victoria gave Louise consent, and in June 1889 their engagement was announced.Template:Sfn There was criticism at court where it was thought to be wrong for a princess to marry someone not of royal blood.Template:Sfn Princess Victoria Mary of Teck expressed to her aunt, Augusta, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz that "for a future Princess Royal to marry a subject seems rather strange."Template:Sfn

Despite her mother's attempts to keep her daughters unmarried and by her side, on 27 July 1889, Louise married Alexander Duff, 6th Earl Fife, who was eighteen years her senior, at the Private Chapel in Buckingham Palace with the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating at the service.<ref name="RCT-1889">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They were third cousins through an illegitimate line, as Alexander was a great-grandchild of William IV and his mistress, Dorothea Jordan. Her bridesmaids were Princesses Maud and Victoria of Wales, Victoria Mary of Teck, Marie Louise and Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein and the Countesses Feodora, Helena and Valda Gleichen.<ref name="RCT-1889"/> “O Perfect Love, all human thought transcending", was written by Dorothy Blomfield for her sister's marriage in 1883, and was intended to be sung to Strength and Stay, in Hymns Ancient & Modern, No. 12. Subsequently, it was set as an anthem by J. Barnby for the marriage of the Duke of Fife with the Princess Louise of Wales that day. The Duchess of Teck wrote soon after the wedding, "They both seem so thoroughly happy and contented that it does one's heart good to see them."Template:Sfn

Two days after the wedding, Queen Victoria created him Duke of Fife and Marquess of Macduff in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The letters patent creating this dukedom contained the standard remainder to heirs male of the body lawfully begotten.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> After the birth of their two daughters, on 24 April 1900, Queen Victoria signed letters patent creating a second Dukedom of Fife, along with the Earldom of Macduff in the Peerage of the United Kingdom with a special remainder: in default of a male heir, these peerages would pass to the daughters of the 1st Duke, and then to their male descendants.

File:Louise, Princess Royal with her daughters.jpg

Louise with her daughters, Maud and Alexandra, 1911

The Duke and Duchess of Fife had three children:<ref name="Oxford Dictionary National Biography"/>

• Alastair Duff, Marquess of Macduff (stillborn 16 June 1890)
• Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife (17 May 1891 – 26 February 1959); married her first cousin once removed Prince Arthur of Connaught (13 January 1883 – 12 September 1938), and had issue.
• Princess Maud (3 April 1893 – 14 December 1945); married Charles Carnegie, 11th Earl of Southesk, and had issue.

Family homes and interests

Prior to her marriage, Louise's principal artistic pursuits were music and the family hobby of photography.Template:Sfn Following her marriage, she developed a previously untapped talent for painting and interior design,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which she first applied in planning the interior decoration of Fife House. When a plumber's candle accidentally caused a fire that destroyed the original Mar Lodge,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the new Mar Lodge, comprising one hundred and twenty rooms, was constructed based on a rough sketch drawn by Louise and further elaborated on by their architect.Template:Sfn

Though always happiest in the country, when in London Louise was an enthusiastic patron of theatre and the opera, and her opinions were always sought by King George V and her sister-in-law, Queen Mary.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Louise was an accomplished amateur actress in her younger days and on one occasion was coached by Ellen Terry.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Duke and the Duchess made their main home at Mar Lodge, a sporting lodge built for them by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They owned Fife House in Brighton, sometimes residing there and East Sheen Lodge in Richmond from 1889 until they sold the Lodge in 1908.<ref name=kemptowndotnet>Kemp Town history</ref>

London residence

In the lead up to their marriage, Lord Fife purchased the lease of a London townhouse at 15 Portman Square, London in July 1889.<ref name="BathArgus1889-07-22-PortmanSquare">Template:Cite news</ref> Louise continued to live at 15 Portman Square following her husband's death in 1912 until her own death in 1931, following which a large auction of the contents of the house was held in February 1932.<ref name="EveningStandard1932-02-15-Auction15Portman">Template:Cite news</ref> In December 1933 newspapers reported that Louise's younger daughter Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk had agreed to loan the house for an exhibition of English needlework in aid of the Artists' Benevolent Institution, to be held during February and March 1935.<ref name="Observer1933-12-24-CarnegiesExhibition">Template:Cite news</ref> The houses at 15 to 18 Portman Square were demolished in 1935,<ref name="LPA1935-PrincessRoyalHouse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a large apartment building was constructed in their place by May 1936.<ref name="DailyTelegraph1936-05-13-Ad15Portman">Template:Cite news</ref>

Princess Royal

File:Louise Princess royal 1905.jpg

Louise, Princess Royal, 1905

On 9 November 1905, Edward VII created Louise the Princess Royal,Template:Sfn the highest honour bestowed on a female member of the royal family, succeeding her aunt, Victoria, German Empress, who died in 1901.Template:Sfn<ref name="NYT-1931">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the same time, the King declared that the two daughters of the Princess Royal would be styled as princesses, with the style and attribute of "Highness" and with precedence immediately after all members of the royal family bearing the style of "Royal Highness".<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

In August 1910, Princess Louise's daughter, Alexandra, secretly became engaged to Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark. Upon hearing the news, the Duke of Fife disapproved of the match and forbade the union.Template:Sfn On 15 October 1913, Alexandra married Louise's first cousin, Prince Arthur of Connaught.<ref>Prince Arthur of Connaught and Louise, Princess Royal are both grandchildren of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert</ref>

The Princess Royal was noted for her steady involvement in charitable and public-service work throughout her life.<ref name= "|0" >{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She supported a wide range of organisations, taking a particular interest in the activities of the Church Army and serving as a patron of the Alexandra Girls' Club. In addition to her regular charitable visits and engagements, she held roles in several civic and philanthropic bodies, including serving as President of the London branch of the British Red Cross Society and supporting groups such as the Theatrical Ladies' Guild, the Greater London Fund for the Blind, the RSPCA, and the British and Foreign Sailors' Society. She also served as patron of the Ladies' Association in aid of Princess Christian's Fund for the Deaf and Dumb, a charitable organisation established under her aunt, Princess Christian. Although known for her generally reserved public profile, she maintained a consistent commitment to charitable causes and undertook various ceremonial duties, including the launch of HMS Princess Royal in 1911.Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 12 December 1911, she attended the coronation of her brother, King George V.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Later that month, while sailing aboard the P&O's SS Delhi, to Egypt, the Princess Royal and her family were shipwrecked off the coast of Morocco.<ref>Hugh Dawson, A Guide to the Chapel of Saint Ninian, Mar Lodge, Braemar. The Scottish Episcopal Church, Braemar 2015</ref> Louise and her husband refused to leave until all the women and children had been rescued and were among the last to leave. During the rescue, Louise lost her jewel case and both Alexandra and Maud, and herself were thrown into the sea by a large wave.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although they were otherwise unharmed, the Duke of Fife fell ill with pleurisy, probably contracted as a result of the shipwreck.<ref name="Royal-2015"/> He died at Assuan, Egypt, in January 1912, and Princess Alexandra succeeded to his dukedom, becoming Duchess of Fife in her own right.<ref name="Oxford Dictionary National Biography"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Later life and death

File:The Princess Royal, her daughter Maud, and her grandson Alastair Connaught.jpg

Louise with her daughter Maud and grandson Alastair, 1918

After the death of her husband, the Princess Royal led a reclusive life.Template:Sfn She spent most of her time in Braemar, Scotland, at the Mar Lodge, but frequently made visits to London.Template:Sfn In her later years, Princess Louise faced financial difficulties due to the affairs of her family friend Lord Farquhar. Farquhar, a close family friend and advisor, had managed or been involved in investments and assets connected to the Fife family. Although generally a shrewd businessman, in his later years he reportedly suffered mental decline and neglected his affairs, and when he died in 1923 his estate was found in chaotic disorder, leaving unpaid debts and legacies. Although Louise was not legally liable, she arranged the sale of part of her art collection, including Romneys, and some furnishings from her London residence to protect her finances and the family's reputation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Princess Royal was taken ill with gastric haemorrhaging, including attacks in April 1925 and October 1929 at Mar Lodge, and was brought back to London to receive nursing care.<ref name="NYT-1931"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At her house in Portman Square she was given the best nursing and medical attention possible as befitted a king's sister, but all to no avail. She lingered on listlessly for another fifteen months, soothed by the solicitude of her family. Her last letter to Queen Mary talked of going out of a morning, and then back to bed. Spending so much time resting, she was grateful for the regular gifts of flowers, 'which make my room so light.'Template:Sfn

File:Braemar, Mar Lodge Estate, St Ninian's Chapel - floor slab 04.JPG

Grave in St Ninian's Chapel, Braemar

On 4 January 1931 at 2:30 pm, Louise died in her sleep at her home at 15 Portman Square London, with her two daughters, Alexandra and Maud, at her bedside.<ref name="NYT-1931"/> She was 63 years old. Per her death certificate, her cause of death was attributed to valvular heart disease, which then led to heart failure.<ref name="NYT-1931"/> She was tenth in line to the throne at the time of her death. Her sister Princess Victoria saw her passing as a release, and wrote to their sister, Queen Maud; "Louise suffered so terribly these last few months that one can but thank God. She is at peace with her dear ones. But it's sad for us, and the loss of a sister comes very near one's heart."Template:Sfn

A simple funeral took place on 10 January 1931 at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where she was initially interred.<ref name="NYT-1931"/> Her remains were later removed to the Private Chapel, Mar Lodge, Braemar, Aberdeenshire.Template:Sfn Her will was sealed and her estate was valued at £46,383 (or £2.2 million in 2022 when adjusted for inflation).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Honours and arms

• 1885: Royal Order of Victoria and Albert
• 6 August 1887: Imperial Order of the Crown of India<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>
• 1929: Dame Grand Cross of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (GCStJ)
  • 1888–1929: Lady of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem (LJStJ)

Honorary military appointments

• 1911: Lady Sponsor of HMS Princess Royal<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• 1914: Colonel-in-chief of the 7th Dragoon Guards<ref name="Headlines-Bio">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• 1922: Colonel-in-chief of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards<ref name="Headlines-Bio"/>

Arms

Upon her marriage, Louise was granted a coat of arms, being the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom with an inescutcheon for Saxony, all differenced with a label argent of five points, the outer pair and centre bearing crosses gules, and the inner pair bearing thistles proper.<ref>Heraldica – British Royal Cadency</ref> The inescutcheon was dropped by royal warrant in 1917.

File:Coat of Arms of Louise, Duchess of Fife.svg	File:Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar Fife Arms detail.JPG
Princess Louise's coat of arms until 1917 {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar: Arms of the Duke and Duchess of Fife {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

References

Bibliography

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External links

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