T. R. H. Prince Henry of Battenberg and Princess Beatrice

Decorative colour illustration to celebrate the marriage of Princess Beatrice (1857-1944), Queen Victoria's youngest daughter to Prince Henry of Battenberg (1858-1896) in July 1885. Queen Victoria intended to keep Beatrice as her (unmarried) companion and personal secretary but Beatrice, at the comparatively old age of 28, met and fell in love with Henry ('Liko') at the wedding of her niece, Princess Victoria of Hesse, to Prince Louis of Battenberg. Queen Victoria agreed to marriage on condition that the couple remain at home with her. The couple married at Whippingham Church near Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Liko was a lively and popular son-in-law, but as a career soldier, he eventually requested to join the Ashanti campaign in Western Africa. He contracted malaria and died on board the HMS Blonde on 20 January 1896. The couple had four children, including the future Queen Ena of Spain

Agreed Ashanti Battenberg Beatrice Companion Comparatively Contracted Eventually Feel Hesse Intended Join Lively Malaria Niece Osborne Remain Requested Unmarried Whippingham Wight Youngest

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