Figure 1.--Here we ee the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn with her three children at their country home, Bagshot Park, in Surrey about1895. They are: Princess Margaret, Prince Arthur, and Princess Victoria. They area all wearing kilt oufits, but note the destinct gender differences.

Luise Margarete Alexandra Viktoria Agnes was born a a Prussian princess (1855). Her father was Prince Friedich Charles known as Karl (1801-83), a yonger son of King Friedrich III and his English wife Victoria. Karl married Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1827). He was particularly disliked by the Crown Prince who thought he was boorsh. In later life would blurt out that no one arm man, according referring to Friedrich's son Wilhelm, should ever rise to the throne. Of course Wilhelm was a diusaster for Germany and Europe at large, but the arm was not the problem. That would prove to be his desire to expand the German Empire. Their first son Friderich Karl was born (1828). Karl married Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau (1837-1906) she was the daughter of Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt. They had met at a hunt, a popular royal activity. They produced five children: Marie Elisabeth Luise Friederike (1855), Elisabeth Anna of Prussia (1855), Anna Viktoria Charlotte Auguste (1858), Luise Margarete Alexandra Viktoria Agnes (1860), and Prince Joachim Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Leopold (1865). Sorting through all these German princesand princesss is complcated because, so many used many of the same names. We know most about Luise because she maried into the British royal family, a wise move as it turned out. Luise married Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in St George's Chapel, Windsor (1879). The Sydney Prior Hall painting ofthe marriage is rather dark and does not show the bride and groom very well. Queen Victoria was not impressed. They had three children. Princess Margaret Victoria Charlotte Augusta Norah (1882- 1920), Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert (1883-1938), and Princess Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth (1886-1974). Here we see the Duchess and the children about 1895 (figure 1). Thechildren were raised at the Connaughts' country home, Bagshot Park, in Surrey. Later they also live at Clarence House, the family's London residence. Arthur maintained a liaison with Leonie, Lady Leslie, sister of Jennie Churchill, but remained devoted to his wife. Luise served as Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn. These duties were without issue for many years. She became known for her philanthropic activities. But her outlook must have been impacted when war broke out with Germany (1914). The Duchess died (1917). .

Created: 9:36 AM 4/9/2025
Last updated: 9:36 AM 4/9/2025