Prince Arthur of Connaught Facts for Kids

Prince Arthur of Connaught was a British prince, a military officer, and a grandson of Queen Victoria. He was born on January 13, 1883, and passed away on September 12, 1938. He also served as the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa from 1920 to 1924.

Early Life and Education
Military Career and Public Service
Marriage and Family
Later Life and Royal Duties
Honours and Titles
Arms
See also

Early Life and Education

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught with their children in 1893.

Prince Arthur was born at Windsor Castle on January 13, 1883. His father was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, who was the third son of Queen Victoria. His mother was Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia.

Arthur was the first British royal prince to attend Eton College, a famous school. His family called him "young Arthur" to tell him apart from his father, who had the same name.

Military Career and Public Service

Prince Arthur started his military training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst when he was 16. In May 1901, he joined the 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars as a second lieutenant. He was sent to South Africa in 1902 after the Second Boer War to help keep the peace.

In 1905, he became an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to his uncle, King Edward VII. He was promoted to captain in 1907 in the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys). Later, in 1920, he became the honorary Colonel-in-Chief of this regiment.

During the First World War, Prince Arthur served as an aide-de-camp to important generals leading the British forces in France and Belgium. He continued to rise in rank, becoming a lieutenant colonel in 1919 and an honorary major general in 1920.

Because the King's own children were too young for public duties, Prince Arthur often represented the royal family at events. For example, he opened the Scottish National Exhibition in Edinburgh.

Marriage and Family

The wedding day of Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Duchess of Fife.

On October 15, 1913, Prince Arthur married Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife. She was his first cousin once removed. Her mother was Louise, Princess Royal, who was the eldest daughter of King Edward VII.

Prince Arthur and Princess Alexandra had one son, named Alastair Windsor, 2nd Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.

Later Life and Royal Duties

After his cousin, King George V, became king, Prince Arthur took on many royal duties. He was one of the most senior male members of the royal family living in the United Kingdom. He often acted as a Counsellor of State when the King was away.

In 1906, Prince Arthur traveled to Japan to present the Order of the Garter to the Meiji Emperor. This was a special honor given because of the friendship between Britain and Japan. He visited Japan again in 1918.

In 1920, Prince Arthur became the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa. This was a very important role, representing the King in South Africa. He served in this position until 1924.

After returning to Britain, Prince Arthur became involved in many charities. He was the chairman of the board of directors for Middlesex Hospital. He was also active in the Freemasons, a fraternal organization.

One of his last public appearances was at the coronation of King George VI in May 1937.

Prince Arthur of Connaught passed away on September 12, 1938, at the age of 55. He was buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore. His father, the Duke of Connaught, lived for four more years after him. Prince Arthur's son later became the 2nd Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, but he passed away the following year.

Honours and Titles

Prince Arthur received many honors and military ranks throughout his life.

Military Ranks

Second Lieutenant: 1901
Lieutenant: 1903
Captain: 1907
Brevet Major: 1913
Major: 1915
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel: 1919
Honorary Major-General: 1920
Colonel, Reserve of Officers: 1922

Orders and Appointments

Royal Knight of the Garter (KG): 1902
Knight of the Thistle (KT): 1913
Privy Counsellor (PC): 1910
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB): 1915
Royal Victorian Chain: 1906 (for his trip to Japan)
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG): 1918
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO): 1899
Personal aide-de-camp to the King (ADC): 1905
Bailiff Grand Cross of St John (GCStJ): 1926

Medals

1914 Star: 1917
British War Medal: 1919
Victory Medal: 1919
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal: 1897
King Edward VII Coronation Medal: 1902
King George V Coronation Medal: 1910
King George V Silver Jubilee Medal: 1935
King George VI Coronation Medal: 1937

Honorary Military Appointments

Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons): 1921
Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Pay Corps: 1937

Arms

As a grandson of a British monarch, Prince Arthur had a special coat of arms. It featured the royal arms with some changes to show his place in the family. Before 1917, his arms also included a small shield representing the House of Saxony, where his family came from. This was removed in 1917.


Prince Arthur's coat of arms before 1917	Prince Arthur's coat of arms after 1917	Arthur's banner of arms after 1917, a five-point label, the first, third and fifth points charged with the Cross of St. George, the second and fourth points charged with fleurs-de-lis	Arthur's banner of arms prior to 1917 with the coat of arms of the Royal House of Saxony superimposed on it