Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha |
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Princess Alexandra in 1905
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| Princess consort of Hohenlohe-Langenburg | |||||
| Tenure | 9 March 1913 – 16 April 1942 | ||||
| Born | Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh 1 September 1878 Schloss Rosenau, Coburg, Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, German Empire |
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| Died | 16 April 1942 (aged 63) Schwäbisch Hall, Free People's State of Württemberg, Nazi Germany |
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| Spouse |
Ernst II, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
(m. 1896) |
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| Issue | Gottfried, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg Marie Melita, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein Princess Alexandra Princess Irma Prince Alfred |
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| House | Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||
| Father | Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||||
| Mother | Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia | ||||
Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was born on September 1, 1878. Her full name was Alexandra Louise Olga Victoria. She was the fourth child and third daughter of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. This meant she was a granddaughter of both Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
When she married Ernst II, she became the Princess consort of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. She lived most of her life in Germany and passed away on April 16, 1942.
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Early Life of Princess Alexandra
Alexandra was born as Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh in Coburg, Germany, on September 1, 1878. Her father, Prince Alfred, was the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Her mother, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna, was the only surviving daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
Alexandra was baptized on October 2, 1878. Her family called her 'Sandra'. She had four siblings: Alfred, Marie, Victoria Melita, and Beatrice. Alexandra was often seen as quieter than her older sisters.
Her father was busy with his naval career and later as a ruler. So, her mother was the main parent in their children's lives. Alexandra spent her early years in England. From 1886 to 1889, her family lived in Malta because her father was working with the British Navy there.
In 1889, the family moved to Coburg, Germany. This was because her father was next in line to become the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. In 1893, her great-uncle, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, died without children. Her father then became the new Duke. After this, Alexandra became known as Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Princess Alexandra's Marriage
Alexandra's mother wanted her daughters to marry young. In late 1895, she arranged for Alexandra to get engaged to Ernst, Hereditary Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Alexandra's grandmother, Queen Victoria, thought she was too young. Alexandra was 17, and Ernst was 32.
Her father was not happy with the match. The Hohenlohe-Langenburg family used to rule their own area but had given up their power. They were still considered important, but it wasn't seen as a very grand marriage. Alexandra and Ernst were also related, as cousins.
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The wedding took place on April 20, 1896, in Coburg, Germany.
Alexandra and Ernst had five children:
- Prince Gottfried, 8th Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (born 1897, died 1960). He married Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark, who was the older sister of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
- Princess Marie Melita (born 1899, died 1967). She married Wilhelm Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein.
- Princess Alexandra Beatrice Leopoldine (born 1901, died 1963).
- Princess Irma Helene (born 1902, died 1986).
- Prince Alfred Christian (born 1911, died 1911).
Later Life and Family
Princess Alexandra lived the rest of her life in Germany. When her father died in 1900, her husband, Ernst, became a regent for the new Duke of Saxe-Coburg. This new Duke was her first cousin, Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Alexandra's only brother, Alfred, had died in 1899.
During World War I, Alexandra worked as a Red Cross nurse, helping those who were hurt. In 1916, her oldest daughter, Marie Melita, got married. In 1917, Alexandra became a grandmother when Marie Melita's first child was born.
In 1931, her oldest son, Gottfried, married Princess Margarita of Greece and Denmark. Margarita was the older sister of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip later married Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
In the years leading up to World War II, Princess Alexandra joined the Nazi Party in 1937, along with some of her children. She passed away in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, in 1942.
Images for kids
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Princess Alexandra's coat of arms
