Mary of Teck

Princess Mary of Teck, (Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes) ( 26 May, 1867 – 24 March, 1953 ) later Queen of the United Kingdom was the Queen consort of George V of the United Kingdom. Queen Mary was also the Empress of India and Queen of Ireland. Prior to her accession, she was also Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of York. In her own right she held the title of a Princess of Teck in the Kingdom of Württemberg with the style Her Serene Highness. Prior to her marriage she would therefore have been referred to as Her Serene Highness Princess Mary of Teck. To her family, she was known as May.

Early life

Princess Victoria Mary of Teck was born on May 26, 1867, at Kensington Palace, London. Her father was Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, the son of Duke Alexander of Württemberg by his morganatic wife, Countess Claudine Rhédey de Kis-Rhéde (created Countess von Hohenstein in the Empire of Austria). Through the House of Württemberg, Mary was distantly descended from the Habsburgs, the once powerful ruling family of Austria.(Cite Almanach de Gotha). Her mother was Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, the third child and the younger daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge.

Related Topics:
May 26 - 1867 - Kensington Palace - London - Prince Francis, Duke of Teck - Duke Alexander of Württemberg - Morganatic - Austria - Habsburgs - Almanach de Gotha - Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge - Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

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Although her mother was a grandchild of King George III of the United Kingdom, Princess May was only a minor member of the British Royal Family. Her father, the Duke of Teck, was the product of morganatic marriage, had no inheritance or wealth, and carried the lower royal style of Serene Highness. The Duchess of Teck was however granted a Parliamentary Annuity of £4000 plus £4000 from her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge. Despite this, the family was deep in debt and had to flee abroad to avoid their creditors in 1883. The Tecks travelled throughout Europe, visiting their various relatives and staying in Florence, Italy, for a time. There Princess May enjoyed visiting the art galleries, churches and museums.

Related Topics:
King - George III of the United Kingdom - British Royal Family - Morganatic marriage - Parliament - Annuity - £ - Creditor - 1883 - Florence - Italy - Art galleries - Church - Museum

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In 1885, the Tecks returned to London and were given use of White Lodge in Richmond Park as a residence. Princess May was close to her mother and acted as an unofficial secretary, helping to organise parties and social events. May was also close to her aunt, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (née Princess Augusta of Cambridge). May wrote to her aunt every week without fail. During World War I, the Swiss Embassy helped pass letters from Mary to her aunt, who lived in Germany.

Related Topics:
1885 - London - White Lodge - Richmond Park - Princess Augusta of Cambridge - World War I - Germany

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