Born at Windsor Castle on 6 August 1844, Alfred Ernest Albert was the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Known initially as the Duke of Edinburgh, he spent his youth establishing a naval career before transitioning into the sovereign responsibilities of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha later in his life.
Naval Service and Global Travel
Alfred entered the Royal Navy in 1858 after passing a special entrance examination. Assigned to HMS Euryalus at age 14, he began a maritime trajectory that included his promotion to lieutenant in 1863 and captain in 1866. In 1867, he took command of the frigate HMS Galatea, initiating a seventeen-month voyage that saw him become the first British royal to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, where he met Emperor Meiji in 1869.
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During his Australian tour in March 1868, the Duke attended a fundraiser in the Sydney suburb of Clontarf. While at the beachfront, Henry James O'Farrell fired a revolver at the prince. The bullet struck a metal clip on Alfred's trousers, narrowly missing his spine. Treated by nurses trained by Florence Nightingale, he recovered within weeks. The public reaction in Sydney led to the founding of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Succession to Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Though once considered for the Greek throne following the expulsion of King Otto in 1862, British government policy and the London Conference of 1832 prevented his candidacy. Alfred eventually succeeded his paternal uncle, Ernest II, as the sovereign Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on 22 August 1893. He held this position until his death at Schloss Rosenau in 1900.
Public Life and Distinctions
Beyond his royal duties and naval rank of Admiral of the Fleet, Alfred maintained roles as a member of the Privy Council and the House of Lords. His interests extended to philately, as evidenced by his membership in the Royal Philatelic Society London. Throughout his career, he accumulated numerous accolades, including the Order of the Elephant, the Order of the Garter, and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Fast facts
- Born: 1844, Windsor Castle
- Died: 1900, Schloss Rosenau
- Military Rank: Admiral of the Fleet
- Duke of Edinburgh: 1866–1900
- Sovereign Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: 1893–1900
- Religion: Church of England
- Notable Membership: Royal Society
Questions readers ask
What did Alfred do before becoming a Duke in Germany?
He served in the Royal Navy, rising to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet and visiting various nations including Australia, Japan, and India.
Did Alfred survive an assassination attempt?
Yes. He was shot in the back at a public event in Sydney in 1868 but survived after the bullet was deflected by his clothing.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Worked as philatelist, politician and aristocrat
