Princess Patricia of Connaught facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lady Patricia Ramsay
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Photograph by W. & D. Downey, 1900s.
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| Full name |
Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth
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| Born | Princess Patricia of Connaught 17 March 1886 Buckingham Palace, London |
| Died | 12 January 1974 (aged 87) Windlesham, Surrey |
| Buried | 21 January 1974 Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore |
| Noble family | Windsor (from 1917) Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (until 1917) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Issue | Alexander Ramsay of Mar |
| Father | Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn |
| Mother | Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia |
Lady Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth Ramsay was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She was born a princess, but when she married Alexander Ramsay, she gave up her royal title. She was known as Princess Patricia of Connaught before her marriage.
Contents
Who Was Lady Patricia Ramsay?
Lady Patricia Ramsay, often called "Patsy" by her family, was born on March 17, 1886. This day is also St Patrick's Day, which is why she was named Patricia. Her birthplace was Buckingham Palace in London.
Her father was Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. He was the third son of Queen Victoria. Her mother was Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia. Patricia had two older siblings: Prince Arthur of Connaught and Princess Margaret of Connaught.
She was given the full name Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth. She was named Victoria after her grandmother, Queen Victoria. Patricia was for St. Patrick, and Helena was for her father's sister, Princess Helena of the United Kingdom.
Growing Up Royal: Early Life and Travels
Princess Patricia grew up as a member of the British Royal Family. She traveled a lot when she was young. Her father, the Duke of Connaught, was a soldier. He was sent to India with the army. Patricia lived there for two years with her family.
In 1911, her father became the Governor General of Canada. This meant he was the King's representative in Canada. Princess Patricia went with her parents to Canada. She quickly became very popular there. Her picture even appeared on Canada's one-dollar note in 1917.
A Special Connection to Canada
Princess Patricia had a strong link to Canada. A special army group, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was named after her. She became their Colonel-in-Chief in 1918. This meant she was their honorary leader. She held this role for the rest of her life.
This regiment was unique because it was started by a private citizen, Andrew Hamilton Gault. It was the last privately funded regiment in the British Empire. Princess Patricia herself designed their special badge and colours. These were carried by the soldiers when they went to fight in France.
At her wedding in 1919, the regiment was there. They played their special march for her. She stayed very involved with the regiment until she passed away.
Choosing Her Own Path: Marriage
When Princess Patricia was young, many people wondered who she would marry. She was considered very beautiful and a good match for other royals. Some thought she might marry the King of Spain or a Russian Grand Duke.
But Patricia made her own choice. She decided to marry a "commoner." This means he was not a royal or a noble. His name was Alexander Ramsay. He was a naval officer and one of her father's assistants.
They were married at Westminster Abbey on February 27, 1919. On her wedding day, Princess Patricia gave up her title as a British Princess. She was then known as Lady Patricia Ramsay. This was a very unusual step for a royal princess at that time.
Alexander and Patricia had one child, a son named Alexander Ramsay of Mar.
Life After the Royal Title
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Even though she gave up her princess title, Lady Patricia remained part of the British Royal Family. She still attended important royal events. These included weddings, funerals, and the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. She would ride in carriages with other royals and take part in processions.
Lady Patricia was also a talented artist. She was especially good at painting with watercolours. She became an honorary member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. Many of her paintings were inspired by her travels to warm countries. Her art style was influenced by famous painters like Gauguin and Van Gogh.
Her Final Years
Lady Patricia died on January 12, 1974, in Windlesham, Surrey. She was almost 88 years old. She passed away about 15 months after her husband, Alexander Ramsay.
Lady Patricia and Admiral Alexander Ramsay are buried together. Their resting place is at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore. This is near the mausoleum where her grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, are buried.
Lady Patricia's Lasting Legacy
Many things were named in honour of Princess Patricia.
- The Canadian Army infantry regiment, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, still carries her name.
- Patricia Lake in Alberta, Canada, is named after her.
- The Patricia Bay Highway in British Columbia also has her name.
- A bus in Swindon, England, was named after her.
- A ship called the TEV Princess Patricia was launched in 1948. She launched the ship herself as Lady Patricia Ramsay. This ship later became the first ship for Princess Cruises.
- The Regina Patricia Hockey Club was named after her. It is now known as the Regina Pats. This is the oldest continuously running major junior hockey team in the world.
- The Patricia Theatre in Powell River, British Columbia, was named in her honour in 1913. It is the oldest operating movie theatre in Western Canada.
- Two small towns in Alberta, Canada, are named Princess and Patricia. They were named in her honour in 1914.
Titles and Honours
Titles and Styles
- 17 March 1886 – 27 February 1919: Her Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught
- 27 February 1919 – 12 January 1974: Lady Patricia Ramsay
Honours and Awards
CI: Companion of the Order of the Crown of India, 19 June 1911
GCStJ: Dame Grand Cross of the Venerable Order of Saint John, 1934
VA: Royal Order of Victoria and Albert
King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, 1953
CD: Canadian Forces Decoration with 4 Clasps, 1951
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Honorary Military Role
22 February 1918 – 12 January 1974: Colonel-in-chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
Images for kids
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The coronet Lady Patricia wore at the coronation of Elizabeth II, originally owned by Princess Margaret of Connaught. The coronet is now kept at the Swedish Royal Armoury.
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Princess Patricia's coat of arms
See also
- Patricia Bay, named after her
