Prince Francis Duke Of Teck Early Life Army Marriage

Francis was born on August 28, 1837 in Vienna, Austria. His father was Duke Alexander of Württemberg , the son of Duke Louis of Württemberg . His mother was Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde. The marriage was morganatic, meaning Francis had no succession rights to the Kingdom of Wurttemberg. His title at birth was Count Francis von Hohenstein, after his mother was created Countess von Hohenstein in her own right by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

In 1863, Francis was created Prince of Teck, with the style His Serene Highness in the Kingdom of Württemberg, and in 1871, was created Duke of Teck.

2 Army

Like his father, Duke Alexander, Francis embarked upon a career in the Austrian army, eventually rising to the rank of captain in the 7th Hussars during the Austro-Prussian War. He retired from the Austrian army in 1866. Later he became attached to the staff of British General Sir Garret Wolseley during the 1882 Egyptian campaign. He was gazetted a colonel in the British army in 1882 and subsequently promoted to major general in 1893Events January 1 Japan accepts the Gregorian calendar January 2 Introduction by Webb C. Ball of the General Railroad Timepiece Standards in North America: Railroad chronometers January 13 The Independent Labour Party of the UK has its first meeting. Janua.

3 Marriage

As the product of a morganatic marriageA morganatic marriage is a type of marriage which can be contracted in certain countries, usually between persons of unequal social rank unebenburtig in German), which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any childre, and without succession rights to the throne, Francis had little income in comparison with other European princes. This made Francis an unpopular choice with the princesses of Europe from who he had to chose a bride. He instead married upwards, into a richer family, by marrying Her Royal Highness Princess Mary Adelaide of CambridgeHer Royal Highness Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (Mary Adelaide Wilhelmina Elizabeth), ( November 27, 1833 October 27, 1897), was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King George III. She later held the title of Duchess of Teck b, the eldest daughter of HRH Prince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgePrince Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge ( 24 February 1774- 8 July 1850), was the tenth-born child and seventh son of King George III of the United Kingdom and Queen Charlotte. His Royal Highness Field Marshal The Prince Adolphus Frederick, KG, PC, G, and a granddaughter of King George IIIGeorge III (George William Frederick) ( 4 June 1738 29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain, and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. He was c, who was known as Fat Mary because of her wide girth. That, together with the fact that she was now in her thirties, meant that Mary Adelaide was also short of choices for marriage.

The couple married on June 12, 1866 at Kew Palace , West London . Together they had four children:

4 Hard Times

Given the impoverishment of Francis, the couple were forced to survive on Mary Adelaide's small Parliamentary allowance of £5,000 per annum, supplemented by income from her mother, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. Mary Adelaide's requests to her cousin Queen Victoria for more funds was met with refusal, however they were granted a grace and favour apartment in Kensington Palace, London and a country house at White Lodge , near Windsor.

Despite the modest incomes of the Duke and Duchess, they lived remarkable lives of social engagements, leading to the build up of large debts. In 1883, the Tecks fled the UK to Europe, where they stayed with relatives in Florence and Germany. They eventually returned to the UK in 1885.

5 Later Life

In 1887, Queen Victoria granted Francis the style of His Highness, as a gift to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. Despite this, the Tecks were still seen as minor relatives, with little status or wealth. Their fortunes improved when in 1891, their only daughter, Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (known as May to her family) became engaged to the second in line to the British throne, HRH Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence. The death of the Duke of Clarence only six weeks later looked like a cruel blow. However, Queen Victoria was fond of Princess May and persuaded the Duke of Clarence's brother, and next in the line of succession, Prince George, Duke of York to marry her instead.

In 1897, the Duchess of Teck died, leaving Francis a widow. He continued to live at White Lodge, Richmond but did not carry out any royal duties, although he continued to receive the late Duchess' Parliamentary annuity.

Francis died on January 21, 1900 at White Lodge. He was buried next to his wife in the Royal Vault at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. It has been alleged that Francis actually died in a brothel in Vienna, Austria and that his body was returned to the UK in secret in order not to embarrass his daughter, who was now the Duchess of York.

6 Titles

Count Francis von Hohenstein
His Serene Highness Prince Francis of Teck
His Serene Highness The Duke of Teck
His Highness The Duke of Teck

Preceded by:
New Creation

Duke of Teck

Followed by:
HSH Prince Adolphus, 2nd Duke of Teck

Teck, Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, Prince Francis, Duke of

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1 Early Life