Card of the Day: H.R.H. Princess Arthur of Connaught

Yesterday, we had a glimpse of Prince Arthur of Connaught who had been depicted on one of the Godfrey and Phillips Cigarette Cards which were produced for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in 1935.

Today, we’re treated with his wife, The Princess Arthur of Connaught. Not only was she his wife, she was his cousin, but that wasn’t unusual for the Royal Family. She was born Princess Alexandra—the daughter of the Duke of Fife and Princess Louise of Wales (the daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra). So, let’s examine this: The princess’ grandfather was Edward VII and her great-grandmother was Queen Victoria. She would go on to marry the son of Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught—Queen Victoria’s grandson. So, Queen Victoria’s great-granddaughter married Queen Victoria’s grandson.

Now, here’s what I always think of when I think of Princess Alexandra (which isn’t often). I recall reading the journals of Queen Mary wherein, in 1911, she expressed her shock upon learning that the Duke of Fife and his family had been shipwrecked off the coast of Morocco. Queen Mary explained that Alexandra—always strong and plucky—survived the shipwreck quite well, but her father fell ill. Upon the death of her father, Princess Alexandra became the Duchess of Fife.

As Duchess of Fife, after her marriage in 1913, she was created the Princess Arthur of Connaught. The princess is best remembered for her selfless war work—serving as a nurse during the First World War at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. After the War, she lent her services to the hospitals of the Union of South Africa.