Prince Alexander's funeral

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 November 20, 1893

The funeral of Prince Alexander of Battenberg took place this afternoon in Graz, Austria, reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.  The weather was "clear, and the streets were lined with mourners, as the Prince was "always a favorite."

The funeral cortege left from the family villa to the Protestant cemetery.  A military procession led the funeral procession with companies of Austrian infantry, and the Third Army corps, which Prince Alexander "held his command. 

The funeral service at the villa lasted for one hour.  Dr. Liedenfrost, a Lutheran pastor, "preached a long eulogistic  sermon."  The coffin was covered with wreaths and carried by soldiers to the cemetery.   Troops lined the road and presented arms.  The entire procession took about thirty minutes from the villa to the crypt.

The chief mourner was the late Prince's brother, Prince Henry of Battenberg, married to Queen Victoria's youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice.  He was accompanied by the Duke of Württemberg.  Sir Edmond Monson represented Queen Victoria, and W.A.C. Barrington, Secretary of the British Embassy, represented the Prince of Wales.   They were followed by other royal representatives and "Bulgarian officers and students who closed the line."

Queen Victoria and Empress Friedrich sent a wreath of violets.  Prince Alexander's widow placed on his coffin "a wreath of camellias and hyacinths bearing the inscription - "We shall soon meet again.'"

Queen Victoria and other members of her family attended a memorial service in memory of Prince Alexander earlier today in the private chapel at Windsor Castle.

The former Prince of Bulgaria died at Graz on October 23.