H. R. H. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, brass memorial plaque

A shaped rectangular brass memorial plaque with curved canted corners, 98 x 48 mm [approximately 4 x 2 ins] engraved In memoriam H. R. H. Leopold Duke of Albany of solid construction, approx 2mm thick. The plaque has been polished but the engraving remains clear. We do not know to what this was originally affixed but the style is contemporary with the Prince’s death in 1853.

H. R. H. Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert, Duke of Albany [1853-1884 was the youngest son of Queen Victoria from whom he unfortunately inherited haemophilia, which greatly limited his life. although unable to pursue the usual military career he had strong honorary connections withe the 72nd Duke of Albany’s Own Highlanders and when the regiment became the Seaforth Highlanders in 1881 he served as its first Colonel in Chief. In 1882 he married Princess Helen Frederika of Waldeck-Pyrmont, daughter of the reigning prince and they had two children, Princess Alice who married Prince Alexander of Teck, and Prince Charles Edward who became reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and married Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein.    sep28/3