Prince Christian Of Schleswig-Holstein

Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (full name: Frederick Christian Charles Augustus) was born on 22 January 1831 at Augustenburg Palace. He was the second son of Christian August II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, and Countess Louise Sophie of Danneskiold-Samsøe.

In his early years, Christian was involved in the political conflicts surrounding the Schleswig and Holstein duchies. In 1848, his father led a movement resistant to Danish claims over these territories. The First War of Schleswig occurred in 1852, during which Christian briefly served with the Schleswig-Holstein army before his family was forced to flee Danish forces. After this conflict, he attended the University of Bonn. During his time there, he formed a friendship with Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia.

Christian became a member of the British royal family through his marriage to Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, the fifth child and third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. They met in September 1865 while visiting Coburg, and became engaged in December of that year. Queen Victoria authorized their marriage in 1866 on the condition that the couple reside in Great Britain. The marriage took place at Windsor Castle's private chapel on 5 July 1866. Prior to their wedding, he was granted the style of Royal Highness by Royal Warrant on 29 June 1866.

In 1891, Christian was accidentally shot in the face by his brother-in-law, the Duke of Connaught, during a shooting party at Sandringham, resulting in the loss of one eye. The couple resided at Frogmore House within the grounds of Windsor Castle and later at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park. They had six children:

- Prince Christian Victor (14 April 1867 – 29 October 1900); died young during military service in South Africa; unmarried.

- Prince Albert (28 February 1869 – 27 April 1931); in 1921, became the titular Duke of Schleswig-Holstein and head of the House of Oldenburg; childless but had an illegitimate daughter, Valerie Marie zu Schleswig-Holstein (1900–1953) by Ernst Johann Wagner and later married Engelbert-Charles, 16th Duke of Aarschot and 10th Duke of Arenberg.

- Princess Helena Victoria (3 May 1870 – 13 March 1948); unmarried.

- Princess Marie Louise (12 August 1872 – 8 December 1956); married Prince Aribert of Anhalt; marriage was annulled in 1900; no children.

- Prince Harald (12 May 1876 – 20 May 1876); died in infancy.

- A stillborn son on 7 May 1877.

Christian held military ranks in the British Army, attaining the rank of full general by 1877. He was honorary colonel of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment from 1869 until his death, but he did not command in active military roles. His civil appointments included High Steward of Windsor and Ranger of Windsor Great Park. He received a Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of Oxford and was granted the freedom of the city of Carlisle in 1902.

The marriage of Christian and Helena marked a notable union but was subject to public opinion. Reports from contemporary sources indicate that he experienced unpopularity among some segments of the British public, due in part to perceptions of his appearance, background, and the circumstances of his marriage.

In July 1916, Christian and Helena celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, with messages of congratulations from numerous royal individuals, including Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. During World War I, anti-German sentiment resulted in the renaming of the British royal house to Windsor in 1917, and members of German-origin royal families, including Christian, adopted more British identities or titles were discontinued.

Prince Christian died on 28 October 1917 at Schomberg House in London, aged 86. His final words, reportedly to King George V, referenced the Battle of Caporetto. He was initially interred in the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and later buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore, in Windsor Great Park.