Antique British Royal Ceremonial Memorial Service Prince Saxe-Coburg-Gotha 1899

Bibelotslondon Ltd is a UK registered company based in London Bridge dealing in ephemera and curiosities from Britain and around the world. Our diverse inventory is carefully chosen and constantly evolving. We work very hard to offer the highest quality works at competitive prices. Our inventory is listed online, and we strive to keep our website completely up to date, so our customers can easily check availability. We believe in offering clients items that are unique and rare for aficionados of the antique and collector's world. Bibelot is a late nineteenth century word derived from the French word bel 'beautiful', meaning a small item of beauty, curiosity or interest. The word ephemera is derived from the sixteenth century Greek word ephmera meaning a printed or hand written paper not meant to be retained for a long period of time.

Fine antique Ceremonial for the Memorial Service at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace dated 10th February 1899 for Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1874-1899), son of Prince Alfred Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. From the collection of Richard Assheton Cross, 1st Viscount Cross (1823-1914), British statesman and Conservative politician who served as Home Secretary 1874-1880 & 1885-1886.

According to rumors, Alfred shot himself with a revolver while the rest of the family was gathered for the 25th wedding anniversary celebration of his parents. He survived for three days before being sent to the Martinsbrunn Sanatorium in Gratsch. Alfred died there at 4:15 pm on 6 February 1899, aged 24 years. He was buried in the ducal mausoleum of the Friedhof am Glockenberg.

After his death, Alfred's uncle the Duke of Connaught and his son Prince Arthur renounced their succession rights to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in July 1899. As a result, his first cousin Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany became heir and died of poverty in 1954.


Size: 22.5 X 17.5 cm approx


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