Albert took part in the Second Schleswig War of 1864 as a spectator at the German headquarters, and the following year, he was appointed Inspector of the Third Army Division. He was allowed to participate with his own command in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he suffered from an illness that cost him the sight in one eye.1
In 1865, Albert’s second daughter, Alexandrina, married Duke William of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a younger son of Paul Frederick, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg and Alexandrine’s aunt and namesake, Princess Alexandrine of Prussia. Alexandrine cried through the ceremony, and Victoria, Princess Royal later wrote to her mother, Queen Victoria, “It was celebrated with the greatest pomp but had something of the solemnity of a funeral about it – nothing gay, festive or bridal. Perhaps my own sadness made it appear even gloomier to me than it did to others. The only thing that made a pleasing impression on me was dear Addy herself, who, although she cried the whole time, had such a dignified and touching appearance that I never saw her look so well. She went through it all (and a very trying ceremony of 4 hours it was) with the most perfect tenue, though I never saw her smile once. She did not look a bit like a bride, but I must say very elegant and distinguished. She had a very heavy, silver gown and train without any trimming – only embroidered – and all the crown jewels.” 2
He suffered a stroke on 16 June 1871. He remained quite ill, and Queen Victoria enquired after him in September 1872, writing, “Poor old Prince Albert, could you enquire after him in my name and express my sympathy to his children?” 3 A second stroke struck him on 14 October 1872, and this one cost him his life.4
Shortly after his death, Victoria, Princess Royal wrote, “As you have heard from Fritz by telegram, poor Uncle Albrecht [Albert] is no more. As soon as we heard the news – we hurried to Berlin to see his children whom we found greatly distressed. Countess Hohenau, his poor widow, I did not see – only the eldest of her sons [Albert had two sons by his second wife] – a charming, handsome, intelligent young man of eighteen, who was dreadfully cut up. The Countess showed Fritz his uncle’s will and the letter in which he takes leave of his family – which is very touching; after thanking the Countess for all the happiness she had given him, he asks her to choose his last resting-place, begging her to arrange so that she can once [one day] be buried by his side. Prince Albrecht thanks his two eldest children for their kindness to his second wife and her sons. She has always behaved as well as possible.” 5
Albert’s coffin was placed in the mausoleum at Charlottenburg on 19 October. Victoria, Princess Royal wrote, “I could not finish my letter yesterday, Fritz and the nearest relatives (not the Emperor) took the coffin to Charlottenburg where it is temporarily placed in the mausoleum in an empty vault behind the one where the sarcophagi of Frederick William III and Queen Louise are placed. The Emperor was very much affected, and when the guns fired, he sobbed so much that I gave him my arm to lean upon. He very kindly embraced poor Countess Hohenau, who, with her two boys, was opposite the coffin. I shook hands with them – but could not see her face as she was completely hidden in her crepe veil. I am afraid the Empress will dislike our having taken any notice of her, but it was impossible to do otherwise; it would have been very unfeeling and unkind; the poor thing is in the deepest grief, and the boys will only now begin to feel how uncomfortable their position is. They are exceedingly good-looking. (I believe the Countess is very ugly.)6
Although Victoria mentioned that the interment at Charlottenburg was supposed to be temporary, he remains buried there.
Princess Marianne wrote to their son, “Since 1842, for thirty years, I had to submit and share my love for you with your father; neither of us could dispose of you. The king’s power had annulled our rights, and your educators were accountable to him. You were granted to me only periodically and with restraint. When he resided in Berlin, your father had you nearby, which was an advantage over me after all. Now all that is over. I no longer have to take him into account, but he can do nothing for you either. In a sense, you have taken his place. You are Prince Albert and I your mother, and with that, all is said.” 7
- Preussen Zeitungs Archiv – 3 October 2009
- Your Dear Letter edited by Roger Fulford p.46
- Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.61
- Preussen Zeitungs Archiv – 3 October 2009
- Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.63
- Darling Child edited by Roger Fulford p.64
- Prinses Marianne by Arnout van Cruyningen p.156-157
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