Eddy: A Blighted Life

(Eddy as a toddler with his mother.  Photo credit: National Portrait Gallery)

Albert Victor Christian Edward was born at Frogmore House in Windsor on January 8, 1864.  He was the first child of the future Edward VII of United Kingdom and the former Alexandra of Denmark.  Although his first two names were Albert Victor at his grandmother’s insistence, he was known within the family as “Eddy.” His birth was a surprise as it was not expected until early March.  The day after Eddy was born, Vicky told her mother by letter that the “…news was the greatest surprise I ever remember, I could hardly believe my eyes when I read Bertie’s telegram!”  Besides being an early birth, it was evidently a quick one as well as Victoria explains in a letter to Vicky two days later: “…the whole was over in an hour – Brown [the doctor] only being there and he only for 20 minutes!!!”  

Despite being small and early, Victoria expressed satisfaction with little Eddy’s looks, describing him as “…quite healthy and very thriving.  It has a very pretty, well-shaped, round head, with very good features, a nice forehead, a very marked nose, beautiful little ears, and pretty little hands.”  Victoria was not always kind in her descriptions of babies – even her children and grandchildren – so Eddy must have indeed been a pretty baby.

Eddy was baptized on March 10, 1864, (his parents’ first wedding anniversary) in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace.  His godparents included Victoria, Vicky, Affie, Leopold I of Belgium, and Christian IX of Denmark, Eddy’s maternal grandfather.  He was joined in the nursery by the future George V in June 1865.  His sisters Louise, Victoria, and Maud were born in 1867, 1868, and 1869 respectively.  A second brother, Alexander John, died shortly after his birth in 1871. 

Eddy was educated with his younger brother.  He was considered to be a less-than-stellar student, although it is unclear if his problems were attributed to learning difficulties, possible deafness (his mother grew increasingly deaf throughout her life), or poor tutors.  At thirteen, Eddy joined his brother as a cadet on the Royal Navy training ship, the HMS Britannia.  Two years later, the brothers embarked on a three-year tour around the world with the Royal Navy on the HMS Bacchante.  The brothers visited North and South America, Australia, Fiji, Japan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Singapore, Greece, the Falkland Islands, and the Holy Land. 

(Eddy with his cousins Alix and Irene of Hesse, his aunt Beatrice, and his grandmother, Queen Victoria.  Photo credit: The Royal Collection)

Upon his return to Britain, Eddy continued his education at Trinity College, a college at the University of Cambridge.  He also studied for a short time at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.  Eddy did not show any more academic promise during his university days than he did as a child.  He joined the army after his time at Cambridge.  A fall 1889 tour of India was planned for Eddy after his time in the army.

In the middle of 1889, Eddy’s name was mentioned as a possible client at a male brothel on Cleveland Street.  No conclusive evidence was ever uncovered that proved Eddy had visited the brothel, and it is possible that his name was add to the list of clients take the heat off of other aristocratic men who had actually been patrons.  Whether Eddy was truly connected in any way with the brothel has never been established, although the rumors of his involvement have persisted to this day.  Eddy left for his tour of India as the Cleveland Street brothel scandal was dying down.  He was created Duke of Clarence and Avondale on his return in 1890.

(Eddy with his fiancé, Mary of Teck.  Photo credit: oocities.com)

It was about this time that the search for a wife for Eddy began in earnest.  Two of his cousins, German princesses Alix of Hesse and by Rhine (the future Tsarina of Russia) and Margaret of Prussia were suggested, but nothing came of these pairings.  Eddy then fell in love with French princess and renowned beauty Hélène of Orléans.  The couple was serious about marrying, but the differences in religion could not be overcome.  In 1891, Eddy became engaged to Princess Mary of Teck, his second cousin once removed.  The suggestion of Mary as a bride had come from Queen Victoria, who took a liking to Mary.

Following his engagement to Mary, Eddy was at a high point in his life.  He was also being considered as a possible Viceroy of Ireland, a country in which he took a great interest.  In early January 1892, Eddy fell ill with influenza that quickly developed into pneumonia.  He died on January 14, 1892, just a few weeks before he was scheduled to marry Mary of Teck.  He was buried in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. 

Eddy’s family was crushed, particularly his mother.  His brother George was now second in line of succession after their father.  Alexandra was said to have remarked when George took the throne in 1910 that it should have been Eddy.  During the period following Eddy’s death, George and Mary became reacquainted.  Queen Victoria still favored Mary as an ideal future consort, and in 1893, George and Mary became engaged.  The two were very devoted to one another, and their marriage lasted for over 42 years. 

Aside from the Cleveland Street scandal, Eddy’s name has also been tied to Jack the Ripper, a serial killer who preyed on London prostitutes in 1888.  Eddy’s association with Jack the Ripper paints him as being driven mad by a sexually transmitted disease, causing him to act out violently.  His rumored connection to the Cleveland Street scandal likely factored into this myth due to the involvement of prostitutes.  In reality, it is well-documented that Eddy was outside of London during several of the killings, visiting his grandmother at Balmoral Castle.  The mystery surrounding Eddy’s life has also endeared him to several science fiction and mystery writers who have portrayed the prince as everything from a cold-blooded murderer to a vampire.  In reality, Eddy’s life was similar to that of many who died too young: a tragedy of what might have been.