Prince Francis, Duke of Teck
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Duke of Teck
His Highness Prince Francis, Duke of Teck (Francis Paul Charles Louis Alexander) (August 28, 1837 – January 21, 1900)), was a member of the British Royal Family, the father of Queen Mary. Born into the Royal House of Württemberg, Francis held the titles of a Prince of Württemberg and later Duke of Teck. He was granted the style His Highness in 1887.
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Early life
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. Through the House of Württemburg, Francis was distantly descended from the Habsburgs, the once powerful ruling family of Austria. Cite Almanach de Gotha.
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.
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 1893.
Marriage
As the product of a morganatic marriage, 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 Cambridge, the eldest daughter of HRH Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, and a granddaughter of King George III, 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:
- Her Serene Highness Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary (1867-1953)
- His Serene Highness Prince Adolphus of Teck, later Duke of Teck, 1st Marquess of Cambridge (1868-1927)
- His Serene Highness Prince Francis of Teck (1870-1910)
- His Serene Highness Prince Alexander of Teck later Earl of Athlone 1874-1957)
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.
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 widower. 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.
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 |