Figure 1.--Here are the Teck siblings: Prince Francis of Teck (1870-1910), Princess Mary of Teck (1867-1953), Prince Adolphus of Teck (1868-1927) and Prince Alexander of Teck (1874-1957), better know as the Earl of Athlone). They are the children of Duke Franz von Teck (1837-1900) and Mary, Princess of Cambridge (1833-97).

The Zähringers are an important German royal family. They were important competitors for the Duchy of Swabia. A collateral line of the Zähringers were the dukes of Teck. Teck is an ancient German principality named after a castle built on "The Teck", a limestone peak buit in the Wabian Alps, 12 km southeast of Stuttgart. The principality was held by various families beginning about the 11th century. The Duke of Teck sold his lands in 1381 to the counts of Württemberg. The title of Duke of Teck was then in 1495 the basis for the elevation of the earldom (or county) of Württemberg to a duchy. After 1498 the principality passed to the Dukes of Württenberg. The title of Duke of Teck was handed down to the English royal family through a Württemberg collateral line. Here are the Teck siblings: Prince Francis of Teck (1870-1910), Princess Mary of Teck (1867-1953), Prince Adolphus of Teck (1868-1927) and Prince Alexander of Teck (1874-1957), better know as the Earl of Athlone) (figure 1). They are the children of Duke Franz von Teck (1837-1900) and Mary, Princess of Cambridge (1833-97). The Teck dynasty is best known today because of its relationship to the British royal family. The Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence became engaged to Princess May of Teck, but before the marriage occurred, he died of typhoid fever. As the arrangements had been made and the Prince's family were taken with Princess May, she was in effect passed on as fiancée to Albert Victor's younger brother George (later, George V). Princess Mary of Württenberg (Teck) married the English Duke of York in 1893. The Duke became King George V and the Princess, Queen Mary, mother of both King Edward VIII and George VI.

Created: March 17, 2004
Last updated: March 13, 2003