HO 45/18980
332956
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
23rd.March 1917.
My Dear Curzon,
The King desires me to ask you if you will be good enough to arrange
for an Order in Council to be issued with regard to the title of the
son of Prince Arthur of Connaught.
His Majesty's wish is that he should be styled "His Highness Prince
Alastair of Connaught". At present he really has no name as a Member of
the Royal Family, although he was born Earl of Macduff.
The King assumes that you will communicate with the Heralds' College on
the subject.
Yours very truly,
Stanfordham
The Rt.Honble Earl Curzon.
K.G. Lord President of the Council.
24 March 17
My dear Harris:
I enclose a letter that Lord Curzon has received from Lord
Stanfordham. I have written to Lord Stanfordham to thank him for
his letter: and I have pointed out that these things are done not by
Orders in Council but by Royal Warrant. Accordingly Lord Curzon
has caused this letter to be sent to the Home Secretary.
Yours etc
George Cunningham
27th March 1917
Sir,
His Majesty having signified His Pleasure that the son of Prince Arthur
of Connaught should be styled "His Highness Prince Alastair of
Connaught", I am directed by the Secretary of State to request that you
will be so good as to submit to this Department the draft of a Warrant
for carrying out His Majesty's Pleasure into effect.
I am, Sir,
Your obediant Servant,
<unsigned>
Sir Alfred Scott-Gattty, K.C.V.O.,
Garter King of Arms,
College of Arms,
Queen Victoria Street. E.C.4.
332596/2
26.4.17
Garter (College of Arms)
Honours
Son of Prince Arthur of Connaught to be styled "His Highness Prince
Alastair of Connaught"
Submits draft Warrant for carrying His Majesty's Pleasure into effect
and also a second draft Warrant which includes any further issue of
Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught.
Minutes
Here are two points which should perhaps
be submitted to His Majesty's
decision before the Warrant is made out.
1. Garter points out that it is usual in Warrants of this kind to
include any further issue of the marriage. It is suggested that
this should be done in the present case.
2. In Lord Stanfordham's letter in -/1, it is stated that the King's
will is
that the Prince should be styled "His Highness Prince Alastair of
Connaught". And Garter in the draft within proposes to insert a
provision that "the designation of the said Prince Alastair shall be
"of
Connaught". A provision of this kind has not been inserted in any
previous Warrants. The practice of adding such a phrase to the
style of a prince or princess is of quite recent growth.
Richmond says it was first adopted in Queen Victoria's reign,
apparently as a convenient way of distinguishing the different members
of the Royal House, when their number had become considerable.
The practice has made its way into formal documents such as Royal
consents to marriages. But it is not consistently followed.
It has never been definitely authorized by a Royal Warrant. and I
understand that the late King would not have the words "of Fife"
inserted in the warrant conferring the title of Highness on the
daughters of the Duke of Fife. See copy of the warrant in the
case of the daughter of the Duke of Fife within; also copy of the
letters patent of 1864 defining the style of children of sons of the
Sovereign.
If the precedents are to be followed, therefore, nothing would be said
in the present warrant as to the use of the words "of Connaught" but in
practice the Prince would be so called, and he would in convenience
also no doubt be so styled in official documents (just as his father is
styled "of Connaught" in the Royal consent to his marriage and other
official documents).
If however the addition of the words "of Connaught" after the Christian
names (it cannot of course be used with any title of honour he may
subsequently bear) is to be formally authorized, I think the warrant
had better run "He shall at all times hold and enjoy the style and
attribute of Highness with the tituler dignity of Prince prefixed to,
and the words "of Connaught" following, his Christian names", or
something similar. The words "of Connaught" would be part of his
"style" and not a separate "designation". (In the recent Brunswick
warrant, the "designation" was distinguished from the "style" - see
250449
herewith).
?Submit these two points for his Majesty's decision."
MD18.5.17
AJ 18/5
SoS GC 19.5.17
See Lord Stanfordham's note attached.
Lay by.
AJE
24.5.17
College of Arms, E.C.
26 April 1917
Sir,
In compliance with the request of the Secretary of State signified in
your letter of the 27th ultimo (number 332,956) informing me that His
Majesty The King has signified His Pleasure that the son of Prince
Arthur of Connaught shall be styled "His Highness Prince Alastair of
Connaught" I beg to submit a draft of Warrant for carrying His
Majesty's Pleasure into effect. In this draft the instructions of the
Secretary of State have been precisely followed. I find,
however, that in former Warrants of this kind any further issue has, as
far as I am aware, invariably been included and in case His Majesty
should now be pleased to follow these precedents I venture to enclose
for the consideration of the Secretary of State a second draft of a
Warrant which includes any further issue born of Their Royal Highnesses
Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
A.S. Scott-Gatty
Garter
The Under Secretary of State, Home Office,
Whitehall S.W.1.
pencilled insertions are marked in
italics, and deletions are stricken through.
A
GEORGE THE FIFTH by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King,
Defender of the Faith, To Our Trusty and Well
beloved Edmund Bernard Talbot Esquire
(commonly called Lord Edmund Bernard Talbot) Member of the Royal
Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Deputy
to Our Right Trusty and Entirely
beloved Cousin the
Most Noble Bernard
Marmaduke, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of
England, Greeting.
Whereas on the Fifteenth day of October One thousand nine hundred and
thirteen Our dear Cousin His Royal Highness Prince Arthur Frederick
Patrick Albert of Connaught intermarried with Our dear Niece Her
Highness Princess Alexandra Victoria Alberta Edwina Louise, Duchess of
Fife:
And whereas a son was born of the said marriage on the ninth day of
August One thousand nine hundred and fourteen who was baptized by the
names of Alastair Arthur.
And whereas We are desirous of defining and fixing the style and designation which
the said Arthur son of Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess of
Connaught shall enjoy within Our Dominions:
Now Know Ye that We do hereby declare and ordain that he shall at all
times hold and enjoy the style and attribute of "Highness" with the
titular dignity of Prince prefixed to his Christian names or with any
titles of honour which may belong to him:
And We do hereby further
declare and ordain that the designation of the said Prince
Alastair shall be "of Connaught".
Our Will and Pleasure further is that you the said Edmund Bernard Talbot Our
said Deputy Earl
Marshal to whom the cognizance of matters of this nature doth properly
belong do see this Our Order kept and that the same be duly registered
in Our College of Arms to the end that Our Officers of Arms and all
others upon occasion may take full notice and have knowledge
thereof.
In witness whereof We have caused Our Great Seal to be affixed to these
Presents,
Given at Our Court at Saint James's the
day
of
in
the
year of Our Reign.
B
GEORGE THE FIFTH by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King,
Defender of the Faith, To Our Trusty and Well beloved Edmund
Bernard Talbot Esquire (commonly
called lord Edmund Bernard Talbot) Member of the Royal Victorian Order,
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Deputy to the Most Noble
Bernard Marmaduke, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal
of England Greeting.
Whereas on the Fifteenth day of October One thousand nine hundred and
thirteen Our dear Cousin Hid Royal Highness Prince Arthur
Frederick Patrick Albert of Connaught intermarried with Our dear Niece
Her Highness Princess Alexandra Victoria Alberta Edwina Louise, Duchess
of Fife:
And whereas a son was born of the said marriage on the ninth day of
August One thousand nine hundred and fourteen who was baptized by the
names of Alastair Arthur: And whereas We are desirous of defining
and fixing the style and designation which the issue of the said
marriage shall enjoy within Our Dominions:
Now Know Ye that We do hereby declare and ordain that the children born
to Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught shall
at all times hold and enjoy the style and attribute of "Highness" with
the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective
Christian name or names, or with any title of honour which may belong
to them. And We do hereby further declare and ordain that the
designation of the said children shall be of Connaught".
Our Will and Pleasure further is that you Our said Deputy Earl Marshal
to when the cognizance of natters of this nature doth properly belong
do see this Our Order kept and that the same be duly registered in the
College of Arms to the end that Our Officers of Arms and all others
upon occasion may take full notice and have knowledge
thereof.
In witness whereof We have caused Our Great Seal to be affixed to these
Presents.
Given at Our Court at Saint James's
the day of
in the year of Our Reign.
Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King,
Defender of the Faith : To Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved
Cousin and councillor Henry, Duke of Norfolk, Knight of Our Most Noble
Order of the Garter, Knight Grand cross of Our loyal Victorian Order,
Earl Marshal and Our Hereditary Marshal of
England,
Greeting!
Whereas We are desirous of defining and fixing the style by which Our
dear Daughter The Princess Louise [Duchess of Fife ] shall be
designated, We are pleased to declare that She shall henceforth be
styled Her Royal Highness The Princess
Royal:
And Whereas by Letters patent under the Great Seal of the said United
Kingdom bearing date the thirtieth day of January One thousand eight
hundred and sixty four Our beloved Mother Her late Majesty Queen
Victoria was pleased to declare Her Royal Will and Pleasure touching
the style and title of Royal Highness and of defining and limiting the
same to be used and enjoyed by the children of the sons of any
Sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland.
And Whereas We are also desirous of defining and fixing the style and
title by which the children of Our said dear Daughter shall be
designated
Now We are hereby pleased to declare that the Lady Alexandra Victoria
Alberta Edwina Louise Duff and the lady Maud Alexandra Victoria
Georgina Bertha Duff, daughters of Our said dear Daughter Her Royal
Highness The Princess Royal shall at all times hold and enjoy the
style, title and attribute of Highness prefixed to such respective
styles or titles of Honour as may belong to them, and further to
declare that Our said dear Granddaughters shall bear the style of
Princess prefixed to their respective christian names, and shall take,
hold and enjoy during the term of their natural lives in all Assemblies
or Meetings whatsoever the precedence and Rank following , that is to
say immediately after all Members of Our Royal Family enjoying the
style of Royal Highness:
Our Will and Pleasure further is that you Our said Earl Marshal to whom
the cognizance of matters of this nature doth properly belong do see
this Our Order kept, and that the same be duly registered in Our
College of Arms, to the end that Our Officers of Arms and all others
upon occasion may take full notice and have knowledge thereof:
In Witness whereof We have caused the Great Seal to be affixed to these
Presents.
Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace the Ninth day of November 1905
in the Fifth year of Our Reign.
By the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of
the British Dominions beyond the Seas, signed with His own hand.
Buckingham Palace.
23d. May 1917
Dear
Harris,
The King wishes the question of the designation of Prince Arthur of
Connaught's Son to stand over for the present, I therefore return the
papers.
Yours very truly,
Stanfordham
S.W. Harris Esq: C.B.
Home Office.
Buckingham Palace
July 3, 1917
Dear Harris
owing oo the changes which the King is making in names and titles of
the Royal Family this warrant will not be required. The actual
title and sstyling of the son of Prince Arthur of Connaught will be
shortly settled by His Majesty.
Yours very truly,
Stanfordham
332,956/3
COLLEGE OF
ARMS,
QUEEN VICTORIA STREET,
LONDON. E.C.4.
3rd February, 1942.
Dear Dadd,
Among Garter's papers I found, the other day, a letter from your office
to Sir Alfred Scott-Gatty, Garter, dated 27th March 1917, numbered
332,956, informing him that the King had granted the styles and titles
of "His Highness" and "Prince" to the infant son of Prince Arthur of
Connaught and requesting Garter to prepare a Warrant carrying this out.
A draft of this Warrant was sent by Garter on 26th April 1917. No such
warrant is recorded in the College and I am convinced that it was never
issued, for on 30th November of the same year the King issued a Warrant
abolishing the title of Highness (with an exception in favour of those
holding it at the date of the Warrant - who were, 1 have always
thought, the two princesses, Helena Victoria and Marie Louise) and 1
have never at any time heard of Prince Arthur's son (who has now
succeeded to the Dukedom of Connaught) being described as H.H. or
Prince.
If I am right, there may have been some other letters which passed
between your Office and Garter at the time which, by some accident, got
omitted from the bound volume of Garter papers.
Would it be possible for you to consult the file in the matter and let
me have copies of any such letters ?
I shall have to consider the status of the present Duke, and this nay
be an important item in the situation.
Yours sincerely,
Gerald W. Wollaston
Garter
F.J.Dadd
Home Office.
CORNWALL HOUSE, STAFFORD STREET,
S.E.1.
16th February, 1942.
Dear Sir Gerald Wollaston,
I am sorry not to have been in a position to reply earlier to your
letter of the 3rd February about the grant of the styles and titles of
"His Highness" and "Prince" to the son of Prince Arthur of
Connaught. Search has been made in our records, which had
been evacuated. Following our letter of the 27th March, 1917, to
Sir Alfred Scott Gatty, Garter, I find on our files the following
documents, copies of which I enclose:
- A letter from Garter dated 26th April, 1917.
- Two Draft Warrants marked "A" and "B".
- A copy of Letters Patent of 1864.
- A copy of a Warrant of November, 1905.
The papers show that Lord Stamfordham, the King' s Private Secretary,
told the Private Secretary to Lord Cave, then Home Secretary, that
"owing to changes which the King is making in the names and titles of
the Royal Family this Warrant will not be required. The
actual title and styling of the son of Prince Arthur of Connaught will
shortly be settled by His Majesty."
So far as this Department is concerned it seems that no further action
was taken in the matter, and there is no trace in our 1917 Royal
Warrants book of the issue of a Warrant for the purpose.
Yours sincerely,
(SNG) F. J. DADD
Sir Gerald Wollaston,
K.C.B., K.C.V.O.,
Garter King of Arms.