Friday, November 16, 2012

Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar has died


November 16, 1902

Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar died early this morning at his home on Portland Place, in London, reports the New York Times.  He was 79 years old.

He suffered from an attack by appendicitis several days ago and "succumbed to congestion of the kidneys," which further compromised the Prince's frail health.

Prince Edward was born at Bushy Park,  1823 on October 11, 1823., and had lived "nearly all of his life in England, and "served with distinction in the British Army.  During his life, he served as a Privy Councilor, a Field Marshall, Colonel of the First Life Guards, and he also received numerous British decorations.

He was the eldest son of Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Princess Ida of Saxe-Meiningen, daughter of Georg, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.  

Prince Edward and his family maintained a close relationship with members of the British royal family.  Princess Ida was the sister of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV.

In 1851,  Prince Edward married Lady Augusta Catherine Gordon-Lennox, the daughter of the 5th Duke of Richmond and Gordon.  Although the marriage was considered morganatic, according to the Saxe-Weimar house laws,  Queen Victoria granted Lady Augusta the title of Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar in England in 1886.   In Germany, Augusta was known as the Countess of Dornburg, which was created for her by the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar on the day before her wedding.

The Prince is survived by his widow.  The couple did not have any children.



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