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{{Short description|British Army general and colonial administrator (1874–1957)}}
{{use dmy dates}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox Governor General
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
| honorific-prefix = ]<br><small><font color=#36454F>Major-General The Right Honourable</font><br>
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = The Earl of Athlone<br>
| honorific-prefix = ] ]
| honorific-suffix = <small><font color=#36454F>KG, PC, GCB, GMMG, GCVO, DSO, ADC(P), FRS</font>
| image = Earlofathlone.jpg | name = The Earl of Athlone
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|KG|GCB|GCMG|GCVO|DSO|KStJ|PC|ADC|FRS}}
| imagesize = 160px
| order1 = ]<br>16th | image = Earlofathlone.jpg
| office1 = Governor General of Canada | caption = Portrait, {{circa}} 1940
| office1 = 16th ]
| term_start1 = 21 June 1940
| term_end1 = 12 April 1946 | term_start1 = 21 June 1940
| monarch1 = ] | term_end1 = 12 April 1946
| primeminister1 = ] | monarch1 = ]
| primeminister1 = ]
| predecessor1 = ]
| successor1 = ] | predecessor1 = ]
| successor1 = ]
| order2 = ]<br>4th | office2 = 4th ]
| office2 = Governor-General of the Union of South Africa | term_start2 = 21 January 1924
| term_start2 = 21 January 1924 | term_end2 = 21 December 1930
| term_end2 = 21 December 1930 | monarch2 = ]
| monarch2 = ] | primeminister2 = ]<br />]
| primeminister2 = ]<br>] | predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = ]
| predecessor2 = ]
| birth_name = Prince Alexander of Teck
| successor2 = ]
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1874|4|14}} | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1874|4|14}}
| birth_place = ], ] | birth_place = ], ], ]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1957|01|16|1874|04|14}} | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1957|01|16|1874|04|14}}
| death_place = London, UK | death_place = Kensington Palace, London, England
| resting_place = Royal Vault, ]; later ], ]
| spouse = ]
| spouse = {{marriage|]|10 February 1904}}
| profession = ]
| children = ]<br />]<br />Prince Maurice of Teck
| religion = ]
| parents = ]<br />]
| Infobox Military Person
| allegiance = ] | profession = ]
| branch = ] | education = ];
]
| serviceyears = 1894{{ndash}} 1923
| rank = ] | allegiance = United Kingdom
| commands = | branch = ]
| unit = | serviceyears = 1894–1931
| rank = ]
| battles = ]<br>]<br>]
| battles = {{unbulleted list | ] | ] | ]}}
| awards = ]
| laterwork = | awards = ]
}}
| portrayedby =
'''Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone''' (Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George; born '''Prince Alexander of Teck'''; 14 April 1874 – 16 January 1957), was a member of the extended ], as a great-grandson of King ], a brother of ], uncle to the Kings ] and ], and the husband of ]. He was a ] commander, who served as ] and ].
|}}

{{Teck-Cambridge Family}}
Prince Alexander was born in ] to ] and ] and was educated at ] and the ]. In 1904, he married ] and rose in the military ranks through his service on the western front of the ], receiving numerous honours and decorations.
Major-General '''Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]}} (born Prince Alexander of Teck; 14 April 1874{{ndash}} 16 January 1957), was a member of the ], as well as a ] military commander and ] who, between 1924 and 1930, served as the ], and between 1940 and 1946, as the ]. Cambridge was born in ], to the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and was educated at ] before moving on to ] for training as an officer. He rose in rank through his service in African campaigns and the ], receiving numerous honours and decorations, including elevation to the ] as the Earl of Athlone, after he relinquished his German title of Prince of ] in the ]. Between his two viceregal tenures, Cambridge served as Chancellor of the ], and after his period as Governor General of Canada, he sat on the organising committee for the coronation of ]. He died at ] in 1957, and was interred in the ] at ].

A cousin and also brother-in-law of King ], Alexander relinquished his ] in 1917, including that of Prince of ] in the ], and was elevated to the ] as the ]. In 1923, the King appointed Lord Athlone as ], on the recommendation of British prime minister ], and he occupied the viceregal post until 1930. Athlone then served as Chancellor of the ] until, in 1940, his nephew ] appointed him as ],<ref>{{citation|last=Galbraith |first=William |title=Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1939 Royal Visit |journal=Canadian Parliamentary Review |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=7–9 |publisher=Commonwealth Parliamentary Association |location=Ottawa |year=1989 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Infoparl/12/3/12n3_89e.pdf |access-date=14 December 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314112621/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Infoparl/12/3/12n3_89e.pdf |archive-date=14 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZpTAAAAIBAJ&pg=1321,2215340&dq=george-vi+king-of-canada&hl=en| last=Wayling| first=Thomas| title=George VI Becomes King of Canada| date=22 May 1939| newspaper=The Leader-Post| access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=883&dat=19390512&id=muFOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1846,4234628| title=George IV, Dominion Will See First 'King of Canada'| date=12 May 1939| newspaper=The Canadian Jewish Chronicle| access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/2110530-this-jubilee-day-is-also-a-sad-anniversary/| last=Tidridge| first=Nathan| title=This Jubilee day is also a sad anniversary| date=5 February 2012| newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator| access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> on the recommendation of Canadian prime minister ]. He occupied the post until 1946. Athlone helped galvanise the ] and was a host to British and American statesmen during the ].

After returning to the United Kingdom, Athlone sat on the organising committee for the ], his great-niece. He died at ] in 1957 and was interred in the ].


==Early life, education, and military career== ==Early life, education, and military career==
] and her family c. 1880; Prince Alexander sits centre with his arm around the Duchess, ] (later Queen Mary) is seated at far right]]
].]]
{{Teck-Cambridge Family}}
Cambridge was born at ] on 14 April 1874,<ref name=Eilers>{{cite book| last=Eilers| first=Marlene A.| title=Queen Victoria's Descendants| publisher=Genealogical Publishing Co.| date=1987| location=Baltimore| page=215| isbn=978-0938311041}}</ref> the fourth child and third son of ], and ]. As the son of a prince of ], in ], Cambridge was styled from birth as ''His Serene Highness'' and held the title ''Prince Alexander of Teck'',<ref name=Eilers /><ref name=CPXIII258>{{cite book| last=Cokayne| first=G. E.| coauthors=et. all| title=The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant| publisher=Alan Sutton Publishing| date=2000| location=Gloucester| volume=XIII| page=258| isbn=978-0904387827| ref=CITEREF_Cokayne_2000}}</ref> though he was known to his family and friends as ''Alge''.<ref name=UW>{{cite web| url=http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/athlonelord.htm| title=Earl of Athlone (1874-1957)| publisher=University of Warwick| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref> He came to be known as a meticulous individual, with a quick, but short-lived, temper, and an ability to be cautious and tactful.<ref name=UW />
Prince Alexander of Teck was born at ] on 14 April 1874,<ref name=Eilers>{{cite book| last=Eilers| first=Marlene A.| title=Queen Victoria's Descendants| publisher=Genealogical Publishing Co.| year=1987| location=Baltimore| page=215| isbn=978-0-938311-04-1}}</ref> the fourth child and third son of ], and ]. Although his mother was a granddaughter of King ] and first cousin to ], Athlone, as the son of a prince of Teck in ], was styled from birth as ''His Serene Highness'' and held the title ''Prince Alexander of Teck''.<ref name=Eilers/><ref name=CPXIII258>{{cite book| last=Cokayne| first=G. E.|display-authors=etal | title=The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant| publisher=Alan Sutton Publishing| year=2000| location=Gloucester| volume=XIII| page=258| isbn=978-0-904387-82-7}}</ref> He was known, however, to his family and friends as ''Alge'', derived from the first two letters of ''Alexander'' and ''George'',<ref name=UW>{{cite web| url=http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/athlonelord.htm| title=Earl of Athlone (1874–1957)| publisher=University of Warwick| access-date=25 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416061942/http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~lysic/1920s/athlonelord.htm| archive-date= 16 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> and was characterised as a meticulous individual with a quick, but short-lived, temper and an ability to be cautious and tactful.<ref name=UW/>
], and the star and ] of the ]]]


When Cambridge was nine years old, his parents for two years fled the ] for ] to escape their high debts, but Cambridge remained at ], and, after graduation from there, moved on to the ].<ref name=CPXIII258 /> In 1894, having completed his officer's training, Cambridge was commissioned as a ] in the ],<ref name=CPXIII258 /><ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=26563| startpage=5929| date=23 October 1894| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> and shortly after served in the ]. Cambridge was ] during the conflict, and after its cessation was appointed on 8 December 1898 by ] to the ], with the rank of Knight Commander.<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=27032| startpage=8045| date=13 December 1898| accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref> Later, for his actions in the ], Cambridge was awarded in April 1901 from ] the ].<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=27306| startpage=2707| endpage=2710| date=19 April 1901| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> When Prince Alexander was nine years old, his parents fled the United Kingdom for ] to escape their high debts. They stayed there for two years. The Prince remained at ] before moving on to the ].<ref name=CPXIII258/> In October 1894, having completed his officer's training, Prince Alexander was commissioned as a ] in the ],<ref name=CPXIII258/><ref>{{London Gazette| issue=26563|page=5929| date=23 October 1894}}</ref> and shortly after served in the ]. He was ] during the conflict and, after its cessation, was appointed on 8 December 1898 by Queen Victoria as a Knight Commander of the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27032|page=8045| date=13 December 1898}}</ref> He received a promotion to ] in June 1899 and to ] the following April.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27106|page=4895|date=8 August 1899}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27180|page=2283|date=6 April 1900}}</ref> For his actions in the ], Alexander was, in April 1901, appointed by King ] as a Companion of the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27306|pages=2701| date=19 April 1901}}</ref>


The announcement came on 16 November 1903 that Cambridge had become ] to his second cousin once removed,<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=27616| startpage=7013| date=16 November 1903| supp=yes| accessdate=30 March 2008}}</ref> ], the daughter of ], and thus a granddaughter of ], and niece of the then soon to be Governor General of Canada, ]. The two were wed at ], in ], on 10 February 1904,<ref name=Eilers /><ref name=CPXIII258 /> and six days following, in celebration of the wedding, Cambridge was elevated to the grade of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=27647| startpage=1013| date=16 February 1904| accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref> The couple thereafter had three children: ], born 1906; ], born 1907; and Prince Maurice of Teck.<ref>{{Harvnb| Cokayne| 2000| p=259}}</ref> Maurice, however, lived only for less than six months, between 29 March and 14 September 1910, the same year Cambridge was selected as the chairman of ].<ref name=UW /> The announcement came on 16 November 1903 that Prince Alexander had become ] to his ],<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27616|page=7013| date=16 November 1903 |supp=y}}</ref> ], daughter of ], and thus a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and niece of the then soon-to-be ], ]. The two were wed at ], in ], on 10 February 1904 and,<ref name=Eilers/><ref name=CPXIII258/> six days later, in celebration of the wedding, the Prince was promoted to the grade of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27647|page=1013| date=16 February 1904}}</ref> The couple thereafter had three children: ], born 1906; ], born 1907; and Prince Maurice Francis George of Teck.<ref>{{Harvnb| Cokayne| 2000| p=259}}</ref> Maurice, however, lived only for less than six months, between 29 March and 14 September 1910.


In the same year, Prince Alexander was appointed Chairman of ].<ref name=UW/>
==World War I==
At the outbreak of ], Cambridge, who had been promoted to major and was commanding the ],<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=28466| startpage=1238| endpage=1238| date=17 February 1911| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> was nominated by ] ] to serve as the ]. However, Cambridge was called up for active service with his regiment,<ref name=ODNB>{{cite web| first=Bede| last=Clifford| title=Cambridge, Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George, earl of Athlone (1874–1957)| work=]| publisher=]| date=2004| url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/32255| accessdate=31 March 2008| doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/32255}}</ref> taking him to battle in ] and ]. By 1915, he was elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel, to brigadier in 1917, and to honorary major-general in the final year of the war,{{Fact|date=February 2008}} at the same time he was serving as the head of the British Mission to the ] Army.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} For his service on the battlefields, in June 1917 Cambridge was appointed by his brother in law, ], as a companion of the ].<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=30111| startpage=5458| endpage=5459| date=1 June 1917| supp=yes| accessdate=31 March 2008}}</ref>


==First World War==
During the war, anti-German sentiment throughout the ] led the King to change the name of the ] from the Germanic ] to the more English ], while simultaneously renouncing all Germanic titles for himself and all members of the Royal Family. Though only a member of the Royal Family by marriage, Cambridge, along with his brother, ], similarly relinquished through a royal warrant issued on 14 July 1917 all of his titles, styles, and German honours, choosing instead the name of ''Cambridge'', after his grandfather, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge.<ref name=LondonGazette30374>{{LondonGazette| issue=30374| startpage=11592| endpage=11594| date=9 November 1917| accessdate=15 November 2007}}</ref> Alexander was then known simply as Sir Alexander Cambridge (being entitled to the honorific ''sir'' due to his position as a knight commander of the ]), until, on 7 November 1917, the King created him as ] and Viscount Trematon.<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=30374| date=9 November 1917| startpage=11594| accessdate=23 March 2009}}</ref> Cambridge's wife retained her royal style and title, while their surviving children became The Lady May Cambridge and Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon. Rupert was to inherit the title of Earl of Athlone, but he died on 15 April 1928, ten days shy of his 21st birthday, meaning the third creation of the title became extinct with the death of Alexander Cambridge.
Prior to the outbreak of the ] in 1914, Prince Alexander, who had been promoted to major in January 1911 and was a brevet lieutenant-colonel commanding the ],<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28466|pages=1238–1238| date=17 February 1911}}</ref> was nominated by the ] ] to serve as Governor General of Canada. However, the Prince was called up for active service with his regiment.<ref name=ODNB>{{cite ODNB| first=Bede| last=Clifford| title=Cambridge, Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George, earl of Athlone (1874–1957)| year=2004| url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/32255| access-date=31 March 2008| doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/32255}}</ref> taking him to battle in ] and ]. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, with the temporary rank of brigadier-general, in December 1915.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29433 |supp=y|page=435|date=7 January 1916}}</ref> For his service on the battlefields, in June 1917 Prince Alexander was appointed by his brother in law, King ], as a Companion of the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30111|pages=5458–5459| date=1 June 1917 |supp=y}}</ref>


During the war, anti-German sentiment throughout the ] led the King to change the name of the royal house from the Germanic ] to the more English ], while simultaneously renouncing all Germanic titles for himself and all members of the Royal Family. Through a royal warrant issued on 14 July 1917, Alexander, along with his brother, ], similarly relinquished all of his German titles, styles, and honours, choosing instead the name of ''Cambridge'', after his grandfather, ].<ref name=LondonGazette30374>{{London Gazette| issue=30374|pages=11592–11594| date=9 November 1917}}</ref> Alexander was then known simply as Sir Alexander Cambridge (being entitled to the honorific ''Sir'' through his knighthoods in the ] and the ]), until, on 7 November 1917, the King created him ] and Viscount Trematon.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30374| date=9 November 1917|page=11594}}</ref> Athlone had declined a ]ate, as he thought the title did not sound British enough. Athlone's wife retained her royal style and title, while their surviving children became the Lady May Cambridge and Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon. Rupert was to inherit the title of Earl of Athlone, but he died on 15 April 1928 following a car crash, ten days shy of his twenty-first birthday, meaning the third creation of the title became extinct with the death of the first earl.
Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe in 1918, Cambridge retired from the army and took up posts in the civilian world, continuing at Middlesex Hospital, and because of his experience there, he was appointed in 1921 to chair an investigative committee on the needs of doctors. Known as the ''Athlone Committee'', its work resulted in the creation of post-graduate schools for medical education and research,<ref name=UW /> such as the ], at ], and the ].


==Governor-generalship of the Union of South Africa== ==Post-war career and Governor-General of the Union of South Africa==
Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe in 1918, Athlone was promoted to the brevet rank of ] in June 1919, and retired from the army that November, with the honorary rank of brigadier-general.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31395|page=7421|date=6 June 1919}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31630 |supp=y|page=13522|date=4 November 1919}}</ref> He took up posts in the civilian world, continuing at Middlesex Hospital. Because of his experience there, he was appointed in 1921 to chair an investigative committee on the needs of doctors. Known as the ''Athlone Committee'', its work resulted in the creation of post-graduate schools for medical education and research,<ref name=UW/> such as the ] at ] and the ]. In March 1922, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the ], retaining his honorary rank of brigadier-general,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=32626 |supp=y|page=1796|date=1 March 1922}}</ref> and, in 1937, was appointed chair of a committee of inquiry into the arrangements for "recruitment, training and registration and terms and conditions of service" for nurses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abel-Smith |first1=Brian |title=A History of the Nursing Profession |date=1975 |publisher=Heinemann |isbn=9780043532003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lm2vJQAACAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
In 1923, Cambridge was appointed by the King as both a major-general (despite his retirement from the army) and the ],<ref name=UW /> replacing Cambridge's cousin, ]. He arrived in ] in January 1924, and was immediately at work with his viceroyal duties, opening ], just weeks before his ], ], suddenly advised him to ] the legislature.<ref name=Time>{{cite journal| title=U.S.A. Crisis| journal=Time| volume=III| issue=16| publisher=Time Inc.| location=New York| date=21 April 1924| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,929273,00.html| issn=0040-781X| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref>


For their London residence, the Athlones used the ] apartments of Princess Alice's mother, the late ], in the Clock House at ] and, in 1923, they acquired a country residence, ], in ].<ref>{{cite book| last1=Aronson| first1=Theo| title=Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone| date=1981| publisher=Cassell| location=London| isbn=0304307572| page=123| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7mBnAAAAMAAJ&q=%22brantridge+park%22|access-date=2 June 2016}}</ref>
In the ]{{ndash}} the running of which forced Cambridge to cancel the planned tour of ]<ref name=Time />{{ndash}} the ] won a majority of seats in the ], meaning Cambridge appointed the party's leader, ], as his new prime minister. At the time, ] was increasing in the ], and Hertzog was a ] who promoted the secession of South Africa from the ]. As such, he proposed the country adopt its own flag over the ]. Cambridge, however, proved sympathetic and tactful, and resolved the issue by advancing a flag that was unique to South Africa, but which still contained the Union Flag within it, despite opposition from numerous ]s. He also gained popularity with South Africaners of all races through his frequent tours of the country,<ref name=UW /> performing a number of ceremonial duties, including opening ], in ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.jhbcityparks.com/find-a-park/wemmer-pan/pioneer-park.html| title=Wemmer Pan/Pioneer Park| publisher=Johannesburg City Parks| accessdate=19 September 2008}}</ref>


In December of the same year, Athlone was appointed by the King as both an honorary ] and as the ],<ref name=UW/> replacing his wife's cousin, ].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=32884|page=8329|date=30 November 1923}}</ref> He arrived in ] in January 1924 and was immediately at work with his viceregal duties, opening ], just weeks before his ], ], suddenly advised him to ] the legislature.<ref name=Time>{{cite magazine|title=U.S.A. Crisis |magazine=Time |volume=III |issue=16 |publisher=Time Inc. |location=New York |date=21 April 1924 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,929273,00.html |issn=0040-781X |access-date=25 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329081604/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C929273%2C00.html |archive-date=29 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
For his service to the Crown in South Africa, Cambridge was appointed by George V as a knight companion of the ], on 17 April 1928.<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=33376| date=17 April 1928| startpage=2737| accessdate=22 March 2009}}</ref> Cambridge was also, upon his return to the UK, appointed on 4 August 1931 as the ].<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=33741| startpage=5110| date=4 August 1931| accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref> The following year, he was also selected as the Chancellor of the ], which post he held until 1955.<ref name=GGCam />


In ]—the running of which forced Athlone to cancel the planned tour of ]<ref name=Time/>—the ] won a majority of seats in the ], meaning Athlone appointed the party's leader, ], as his new prime minister. At the time, ] was increasing in the ], and Hertzog was a ] who promoted the secession of South Africa from the ]. As such, he proposed the country adopt its own flag over the ]. Athlone, however, proved sympathetic and tactful, and resolved the issue by advancing a flag that was unique to South Africa, but which still contained the Union Flag within it, despite opposition from numerous ]s. He also gained popularity with South Africans of all races through his frequent tours of the country,<ref name=UW/> performing a number of ceremonial duties, including opening Pioneers' Park in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jhbcityparks.com/find-a-park/wemmer-pan/pioneer-park.html |title=Wemmer Pan/Pioneer Park |publisher=Johannesburg City Parks |access-date=19 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229134724/http://www.jhbcityparks.com/find-a-park/wemmer-pan/pioneer-park.html |archive-date=29 December 2008 }}</ref>
==Governor generalship of Canada==
] ], ] ], and ] ], at '']'', August 1943.]]
], followed by Mackenzie King at the opening of parliament, 6 September 1945.]]


For his service to the Crown in South Africa, Athlone was appointed by George V as a ], on 17 April 1928,<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33376| date=17 April 1928|page=2737}}</ref> and, upon his return to the UK, was made on 4 August 1931 the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33741|page=5110| date=4 August 1931}}</ref> The following year, he was also selected as the Chancellor of the ], which post he held until 1955.<ref name=GGCam>{{cite web|url=http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/athlone_e.asp |last=Office of the Governor General of Canada |title=Governor General > Former Governors General > Major General The Earl of Athlone |publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada |access-date=24 March 2009 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090211100844/http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/athlone_e.asp |archive-date=11 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In ], in the late 1930s, there had been calls from government circles and the media alike for the King to appoint a Canadian-born individual as the his governor general. However, with the rush to fill the post after the unexpected death of the incumbent viceroy, ], and the country embroiled in the ], ] ] advised ] that the time was not right for such a change in viceregal tradition. Instead, it was George's uncle, the Earl of Athlone, whose name Mackenzie King put forward, and, after the Earl accepted, it was announced from the ] on 2 June 1940 that the King had, by commission under the ] and ], approved the recommendation of his prime minister, Mackenzie King, to appoint Cambridge as his representative.<ref name=GGCam /> Cambridge{{ndash}} with a party that included his wife, Princess Alice, and his ], Canadian militiaman ]{{#tag:ref|The Duke of Connaught (originally Prince Alastair of Connaught) was the grandson of previous governor general of Canada, ], and died at ].|group=N|name=Capt}}<ref>{{cite book| last=Hubbard| first=R.H.| title=Rideau Hall| publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press| date=1977| location=Montreal and London| isbn=978-0773503106}}</ref>{{ndash}} thus voyaged to Canada to take up his position, sailing on the {{RMS|Queen Mary}} in a submarine evading zig-zag pattern across the ] to ], ]. After travelling on to ] by train, Cambridge was subsequently sworn-in during a ceremony in the ] on 21 June 1940.


In 1937 he led the Ministry of Health and Board of Education '''''Interim Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Nursing Services''''', also known as The Athlone Report. It looked at nursing recruitment, retention and skills and included Dame ]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=30 March 1962 |title=Inter-Departmental Committee on Nursing Services (Athlone) |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&retrievalId=1eae4b6a-b20e-43c3-95fe-f422534080df&hitCount=218&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CEDGFRZ217236952&docType=Essay&sort=Pub+Date+Reverse+Chron&contentSegment=ZWSW&prodId=WMNS&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CEDGFRZ217236952&searchId=R6&userGroupName=rcnur&inPS=true |journal=Nursing Times (London, England) |volume=58 |via=RCN Historical Nursing Journals Collection, Female Forerunners Worldwide, Cengage Gale}}</ref>
The Earl immediately made himself active in the support of the war effort, travelling across the country, and focusing much of his attention on the troops, either those training at military facilities or those injured and in hospital. Viewing his position as governor general as a link between Canadians and their monarch, Cambridge also communicated in speeches that the King stood with them in their fight against ] and the ].<ref name=GGCam /> The war was brought close to home for the Cambridges also because many of those belonging to displaced European royal families sought refuge in Canada, and resided at or near the royal and viceroyal residence, ]. Among the royal guests were ] and ] of ], ] and ] of ], ] of ], ] of ], Empress ] (]) and her daughters, as well as ] and her daughters, Princesses ], ], and ].<ref name=Hubbard>{{cite book| last=Hubbard| first=R.H.| title=Rideau Hall| publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press| date=1977| location=Montreal and London| page=201| isbn=978-0773503106| ref=CITEREF_Hubbard_1977}}</ref> Further, in December 1941, British Prime Minister ] arrived at the hall, where he presided over ] meetings via telephone from his bed.<ref>{{Harvnb| Hubbard| 1977| p=202}}</ref>


In January 1939, Athlone was appointed president of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Earl of Athlone President of F.A.| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=24 January 1939| page=19| url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19390124-1.2.125| via=National Library Board Singapore}}</ref> The move represented the first time the FA had appointed someone that was not a football administrator to the position.<ref>{{cite news| title=Uncle of the King as president of F.A.| newspaper=Morning Tribune| date=11 February 1939| page=4| url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/morningtribune19390211-1.2.99.13| via=National Library Board Singapore}}</ref>
It was Cambridge's duty to play host at ] to his prime minister, still Mackenzie King, as well as Churchill and ] ], who all gathered to take part in what would become known as the Quebec Conferences, with ] taking place between 17 and 24 August 1943 at the viceregal residence in '']'', and ] occurring from 12 to 16 September 1944 at the ]. It was at these meetings that the four men discussed the Allied strategies that would eventually lead to victory over Nazi Germany and ]. When Germany fell on 8 May 1945 and Japan on 15 August of the same year, Cambridge led the national celebrations held on ] and elsewhere. He thereafter spoke in speeches about Canada's future being marked not by war but by a strong role in reconstruction and reconciliation.<ref name=GGCam />


==Governor General of Canada==
During his time as the Canadian viceroy, Cambridge also lent his status to various charitable and other social events, and mounted a number of activities of his own, such as tobogganing parties and skating lessons on the grounds of Rideau Hall, as well as skiing in ]. When he departed Canada at the end of his time as the King's representative, Cambridge left as a legacy the Athlone-Vanier Engineering Fellowship, awarded by the ].<ref name=GGCam />
], US President ], and UK Prime Minister ], at ], August 1943]]
], followed by Prime Minister Mackenzie King at the State Opening of Parliament, 6 September 1945]]


In ] in the late 1930s, there had been calls from government circles and the media alike for the King to appoint a Canadian-born individual as governor general. However, with the rush to fill the post after the unexpected death (on February 11, 1940) of the incumbent viceroy, ], and with the country embroiled in the ], ] ] advised King ] that the time was not right for such a change in viceregal tradition.
==Post-viceregal life==
After Cambridge's replacement as governor general was appointed on 21 March 1946, the Earl returned to the United Kingdom to retirement, taking up residence at ], and resigning as colonel of the 7th Queen's Own Hussars on 1 September of that year.<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=37706| date=27 August 1946| startpage=4347| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref> He did not completely remove himself from public activity, however, and was, along with his Canadian viceregal successor, ], appointed to the committee charged with organising the ] in 1953 of Alexander's great-niece, ],<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=39578| date=20 June 1952| startpage=3395| accessdate=23 March 2009}}</ref> and continued to sit as Chancellor of the University of London until 1955.<ref name=GGCam />


Instead, it was George's uncle, the Earl of Athlone, whose name Mackenzie King put forward and the Earl accepted.{{#tag:ref|His appointment was formally made on 2 June 1940 by commission under the king's ] and ].<ref name=GGCam/><ref></ref>}} Subsequently, Athlone, along with his wife and his ], ],{{#tag:ref|Lord Macduff (originally Prince Alastair of Connaught), who would succeed to the title of ] in 1942, was the grandson of the previous Governor General of Canada, ], and the son of former South African governor general ]. He died at ] in 1943.|group=n|name=Capt}}<ref>{{cite book| last=Hubbard| first=R.H.| title=Rideau Hall| publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press| year=1977| location=Montreal and London| isbn=978-0-7735-0310-6| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/rideauhallillust00hubb}}</ref> voyaged to Canada to take up his position, their liner using a submarine-evading zig-zag pattern across the ] to ], ].<ref>{{harvnb| Hubbard| 1977| p=196}}</ref> After travelling on to ] by train, Athlone was sworn in during a ceremony in the ] on 21 June 1940. The Athlones' three grandchildren, Anne, ], and Elizabeth (children of their daughter ]), lived with them in Canada for the duration of the war.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Life Calls on the Earl of Athlone |magazine=Life |date=7 August 1944 |volume=17 |issue=6 |pages=94–97 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-04EAAAAMBAJ&q=earl+of+athlone&pg=PA94 |access-date=24 August 2018}}</ref>
The Earl of Athlone died at Kensington on 16 January 1957, and he was interred in the ] at ].


Athlone immediately made himself active in the support of the war effort, travelling across the country and focusing much of his attention on the troops, either those training at military facilities or those injured and in hospital. Viewing his position as governor general as a link between Canadians and their monarch, Athlone also communicated in speeches that the King stood with them in their fight against ] and the ].<ref name=GGCam/>
==Titles, styles, honours, and arms==
===Titles===
{{Infobox viceroy styles
| image = ]&nbsp;&nbsp;]
| name = The Earl of Athlone
| dipstyle = His Excellency The Right Honourable<br>(in Canada, also) ''Son Excellence le très honorable''
| offstyle = Your Excellency<br>(in Canada, also) ''Votre Excellence''
| altstyle = Sir<br>(in Canada, also) ''Monsieur''
}}
;{{flagicon|Württemberg}} ]
* '''14 April 1874{{ndash}} 14 July 1917''': ''His Serene Highness'' Prince Alexander of Teck


The war was brought close to home for the Athlones also because many of those belonging to displaced European royal families sought refuge in Canada and resided at or near the royal and viceroyal residence, ]. Among the royal guests were ] and ] of ]; ] and ] of ]; King ]; King ]; Empress ] (]) and her daughters; as well as Queen ] and her daughter, ].<ref name=Hubbard>{{harvnb| Hubbard| 1977| p=201}}</ref> Further, in December 1941, British prime minister ] arrived at the residence, where he presided over ] meetings via telephone from his bed.<ref>{{Harvnb| Hubbard| 1977| p=202}}</ref>
;{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} ]
* '''14 July 1917{{ndash}} 17 July 1917''': Brigadier ''Sir'' Alexander Cambridge
* '''17 July 1917{{ndash}} 1918''': Brigadier ''The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Athlone
* '''1918{{ndash}} 21 January 1924''': Major-General ''The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Athlone
* '''21 January 1924{{ndash}} 21 December 1930''': Major-General ''His Excellency'' ''The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Athlone, Governor-General of the Union of South Africa
* '''21 December 1930{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': Major-General ''The Right Honourable'' Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone


It was Athlone's duty to play host at ] to his prime minister, still Mackenzie King, as well as Churchill and ] ], who all gathered to take part in what would become known as the Quebec Conferences, with ] taking place between 17 and 24 August 1943 at the viceregal residence in ], and ] occurring from 12 to 16 September 1944 at the ]. It was at these meetings that the four men discussed the Allied strategies that would eventually lead to victory over Nazi Germany and ]. When Germany fell on 8 May 1945 and Japan on 15 August of the same year, Athlone led the national celebrations held on ] and elsewhere. He thereafter spoke in speeches about Canada's future being marked not by war but by a strong role in reconstruction and reconciliation.<ref name=GGCam/>
;{{flagicon|Canada|1921}} ]
* '''21 June 1940{{ndash}} 12 April 1946''': Major-General ''His Excellency The Right Honourable'' The Earl of Athlone, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces of Canada


During his time as the Canadian viceroy, Athlone also lent his status to various charitable and other social events, and mounted a number of activities of his own, such as tobogganing parties and skating lessons on the grounds of Rideau Hall, as well as skiing in ]. When he departed Canada at the end of his time as the King's representative, Athlone left as a legacy the ], awarded by the ].<ref name=GGCam/>
Cambridge's style and title prior to the renunciation of his Germanic titles in 1917 was: ''His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George of Teck, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Grand Cross of the Order of the Rautenkrone, Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, Member First Class with Swords of the Order of St. Anna''. Upon his elevation to the ], he was styled and titled as: ''The Right Honourable Sir Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, Earl of Athlone, Viscount Trematon, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, Member First Class with Swords of the Order of St. Anna, Major-General of the Militia of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''.


==Post-viceregal life==
As Governor General of South Africa, Cambridge was formally addressed as: ''His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, Earl of Athlone, Viscount Trematon, Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, Member First Class with Swords of the Order of St. Anna, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Union of South Africa, Major-General of the Militia of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''.
]
After Lord Athlone's replacement as governor general was appointed on 21 March 1946, he returned to the United Kingdom to retirement, taking up residence again in a ] apartment at ] and, on 1 September of that year, resigning as colonel of the ].<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=37706| date=27 August 1946|page=4347}}</ref> He did not completely remove himself from public activity, however, and was, along with his Canadian viceregal successor, ], appointed to the committee charged with organising ] in 1953 of Athlone's great-niece, Queen ],<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=39578| date=20 June 1952|page=3395}}</ref> and continued to sit as Chancellor of the University of London until 1955.<ref name=GGCam/>

The Earl of Athlone died at Kensington on 16 January 1957 at the age of 82, and was interred in the Royal Vault at ], on 19 January before being transferred to the ] at ] on 15 May 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stgeorges-windsor.org/about-st-georges/royal-connection/royal-burials/royal-burials-chapel-since-1805/|title=Royal Burials in the Chapel since 1805|work=College of St George – Windsor Castle|accessdate=5 March 2023}}</ref> He was the last surviving great-grandchild of ].

==Honours==
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin:auto; margin:1em 1em 1em 0; background:white; border:1px #0047ab solid; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- style="background:white;"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|<span style="color:black;">Ribbon bars of the Earl of Athlone</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Order of the Bath UK ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=UK Order St-Michael St-George ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=UK Royal Victorian Order ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Dso-ribbon.svg}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Order of St John (UK) ribbon -vector.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Ribbon bar of the British South Africa Company Medal.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Ribbon bar of the Queen's South Africa Medal.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Ribbon_-_1914_Star.png|width=106}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=British_War_Medal_BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Ribbon_-_Victory_Medal.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=1939-45_Star.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=War Medal 1939–1945 (UK) ribbon.png|width=106}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Canadian Volunteer Service Medal BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal (military) ribbon.PNG|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King Edward VII Coronation Medal (Military) ribbon.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King George V Coronation Medal ribbon.svg}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=King George V Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=BEL - Order of Leopold - Grand Cordon bar.svg}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=BEL Militair Kruis 2klasse BAR.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Legion_Honneur_GO_ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Order of Saint Anna ribbon bar.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Croix de Guerre.png}}
|
|}


;Orders
Cambridge's style and title as Governor General of Canada was, in full, and in ]: ''His Excellency The Right Honourable Sir Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, Earl of Athlone, Viscount Trematon, Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Grand Master of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold, Member First Class with Swords of the Order of St. Anna, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Militia and Naval and Air Forces of Canada, Major-General of the Militia of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'', and in ]: ''Son Excellence le très honorable Sir Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, comte d'Athlone, viscompte Trematon, chevalier du nobilissime ordre de la Jarretière, chevalier grand-croix du très honorable ordre du Bain, grand-maître du très distingué ordre de Saint-Michel et Saint-George, chevalier grand-croix de l'ordre royal de Victoria, compagnon de l'ordre du service distingué, grand cordon de l'ordre de Léopold, membre première classe avec épées de l'ordre de Sainte-Anne, gouverneur général et commandant en chef de la milice et des forces navales et aérienne du Canada, major-général de la milice du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande du Nord''. It should be noted that, for Cambridge, ''Commander-in-Chief'' was strictly a title, and not a position that he held; the actual commander-in-chief (who can also be, and is, called such) is perpetually the monarch of Canada.<ref>{{Citation| last=Victoria| author-link=Victoria of the United Kingdom| publication-date=29 March 1867| title=Constitution Act, 1867| series=III.15| publication-place=Westminster| publisher=Queen's Printer| url=http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html| accessdate=15 January 2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag Koenigreich Wuerttemberg 1918.svg}} 1888 – 14 July 1917: Grand Cross of the ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 8 December 1898 – 16 February 1901: Knight Commander of the ] (KCVO)
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 16 February 1901 – 16 January 1957: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 19 April 1901: Companion of the ] (DSO)
*{{flagicon|Kingdom of Saxony}} 1904 – 14 July 1917: Knight of the ]
*{{Flagicon image|Flagge Großherzogtümer Mecklenburg.svg}} 22 July 1904 – 14 July 1917: Grand Cross with Crown in Ore of the ]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/grossherzoglich-mecklenburg-strelitzscher-staatskalender-fur-1907/mode/2up |title=Hof- und Staatshandbuch des Großherzogtums Mecklenburg-Strelitz: 1907 |chapter=Großherzogliche Orden und Ehrenzeichen |location=Neustrelitz |publisher=Druck und Debit der Buchdruckerei von G. F. Spalding und Sohn |date=1907 |page=|language=German }}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 5 August 1904 – 16 January 1957: Knight of Justice of the Venerable ] (KStJ)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=27702|page=5047| date=5 August 1904}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 19 June 1911 – 16 January 1957: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable ] (civil division) (GCB)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28505| date=16 June 1911|page=4592 |supp=y}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 4 June 1917 – 6 November 1923: Companion of the Most Distinguished ] (CMG)
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 6 November 1923 – 24 June 1936: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=32877| date=6 November 1923|page=7547}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 24 June 1936 – 16 January 1957: Grand Master of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34300|page=4155| date=30 June 1936}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|England}} 17 April 1928 – 16 January 1957: Knight Companion of the Most Noble ] (KG)


===Honours===
;Appointments ;Appointments
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 29 June 1931 – 16 January 1957: ] (PC)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=33731|page=4241| date=30 June 1931}}</ref>
* ] '''Unknown{{ndash}} 14 July 1917''': Grand Cross of the Order of the Rautenkrone
*{{Flagicon|England}} 1936 – 1957: ]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''8 December 1898{{ndash}} 16 October 1910''': ] (KCVO)
*{{Flagicon|England}} 4 August 1931 – 16 January 1957: ]
** '''16 October 1910{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
*{{flagicon|UK}} 1937 – 16 January 1957: ]<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Dodds | first1 = E. C. | author-link1 = Charles Dodds| doi = 10.1098/rsbm.1957.0001 | title = Alexander, Earl of Athlone 1874-1957 | journal = ] | volume = 3 | pages = 1–21 | jstor = 769348| year = 1957 | s2cid = 73148018 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''5 August 1904{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ] (KStJ)<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=27702| startpage=5047| date=5 August 1904| accessdate=31 March 2008}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Canada|1921}} 21 June 1940 – 12 April 1946: ]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''22 July 1913{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ] (GCB)<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=28749| date=22 August 1913| startpage=6075| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Canada|1921}} 1940 – 16 January 1957: ]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''1 June 1917{{ndash}} 6 November 1923''': ] (CMG)
** '''6 November 1923{{ndash}} 24 June 1936''': Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG)<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=32877| date=6 November 1923| startpage=7547| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref>
** '''24 June 1936{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': Grand Master of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GMMG)<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=34300| startpage=4155| date=30 June 1936| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''29 June 1931{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ] (PC)<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=33731| startpage=4241| date=30 June 1931| accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|England}} '''17 April 1928{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ] (KG)
* {{flagicon|England}} '''4 August 1931{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1921}} '''21 June 1940{{ndash}} 12 April 1946''': ]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1921}} '''1940{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ]


;Medals
;Decorations
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''19 April 1901''': ] (DSO) *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1897: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1897: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1901: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1902: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1911: ]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1919: ]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1919: ]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1919: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1935: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1937: ]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1945: ]
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1945: ]
*{{flagicon|Canada|1921}} 1947: ]
*{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1953: ]


;Awards ;Awards
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''1896''': ] *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1896: ]
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''1915''': Mentioned in Despatches *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1915: Mentioned in Despatches
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} '''1915''': Mentioned in Despatches *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1915: Mentioned in Despatches
* {{Royal Standard-UK}} '''1 January 1935''': ]<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=34119| startpage=7| date=28 December 1934| supp=y| accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref> *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1 January 1935: ]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=34119|page=7| date=28 December 1934| supp=y}}</ref>


;Foreign honours and decorations ;Foreign honours and decorations
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} '''24 October 1915{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ]<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=29312| startpage=9642| date=1 October 1915| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Sweden}} 1909 – 16 January 1957: Commander Grand Cross of the Royal ]<ref>{{citation|title=Sveriges statskalender|year=1912|url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/2077/62803/1/gupea_2077_62803_1.pdf|accessdate=27 March 2021|page=571|language=sv|via=gupea.ub.gu.se}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} '''24 February 1916''': ]<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=29486| startpage=2075| date=22 February 1916| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref> *{{Flagicon|Belgium}} 24 October 1915 – 16 January 1957: ]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29312|page=9642| date=1 October 1915}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Russian SFSR|1918}} '''14 January 1918{{ndash}} Unknown''': ]<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=30476| startpage=827| date=14 January 1918| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> *{{Flagicon|Belgium}} 24 February 1916: ]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29486|page=2075| date=22 February 1916|supp=y}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|France}} '''16 April 1918''': '']''<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=30638| startpage=4716| date=16 April 1918| accessdate=19 February 2008}}</ref> *{{Flagicon|France}} 9 December 1916: Grand Officer of the National Order of the ]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=29854|page=12039| date=8 December 1916 |supp=y}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Russian Empire|1918}} 14 January 1918 – 16 January 1957: Knight 1st Class with Swords of the Imperial ]<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30476|page=827| date=14 January 1918|supp=y}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|France}} 16 April 1918: '']''<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=30638|page=4716| date=16 April 1918|supp=y}}</ref>


====Honorary military appointments==== ===Honorary military appointments===
* {{Royal Standard-UK}} '''3 June 1910{{ndash}} 16 January 1957''': ] (AdC(P))<ref>{{LondonGazette| issue=28380| startpage=3859| date=31 May 1910| |supp=y| accessdate=25 March 2009}}</ref> *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 3 June 1910 – 16 January 1957: ] to the King (ADC)<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=28380|page=3859| date=31 May 1910| supp=y}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Canada|1957}} '''21 June 1940{{ndash}} 12 April 1946''': Colonel of the Regiment of ] *{{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1936 – 1957: Colonel of the ]
* {{flagicon|Canada|1957}} '''21 June 1940{{ndash}} 12 April 1946''': Colonel of the Regiment of the ] *{{Flagicon|South Africa|1928}} 1930 – 16 January 1957: Colonel-in-Chief of the ]
*{{Flagicon|Canada|1957}} 21 June 1940 – 12 April 1946: Colonel of ]<ref name=Colonel>{{cite web| url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/about-org-structure/governor-general.page| author=Government of Canada| title=Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada| date=22 April 2013| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Canada|1957}} '''21 June 1940{{ndash}} 12 April 1946''': Colonel of the Regiment of ]
*{{Flagicon|Canada|1957}} 21 June 1940 – 12 April 1946: Colonel of the ]<ref name=Colonel/>
*{{Flagicon|Canada|1957}} 21 June 1940 – 12 April 1946: Colonel of the ]<ref name=Colonel/>

===Honorific eponyms===
;Awards
*{{Flag|South Africa}}: Athlone Institute Bursary Project Fund, ]<ref name=AIBPF>{{cite web| url=http://athlonebursaries.yolasite.com/who-we-are.php/| title=Who We Are| publisher=Athlone Institute Bursary Project Fund| access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>


====Honorific eponyms====
;Geographic locations ;Geographic locations
* {{flagicon|Alberta}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|Alberta}}: ], ]
* {{flagicon|Newfoundland and Labrador}} ]: ] *{{Flag|Newfoundland and Labrador}}: ]
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|South Africa}}: ], ]


;Buildings ;Buildings
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|South Africa}}: ], ]
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|South Africa}}: ], ]


;Schools ;Schools
* {{flagicon|Alberta}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|Alberta}}: ], ]
* {{flagicon|Manitoba}} ]: ], ] *{{Flag|Manitoba}}: ], ]
* {{flagicon|South Africa}} ]: Athlone House, ], ] *{{Flag|South Africa}}: Athlone House, ], ]
*{{Flag|South Africa}}: ], ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athloneboys.co.za/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113071107/http://www.athloneboys.co.za/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2010 |title=Athlone Boys School |publisher=Athlone Boys School |access-date=2 October 2014 }}</ref>
*{{Flag|South Africa}}: ], ]<ref name=AIBPF/>


===Arms=== ==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide {{Infobox COA wide
|image = Earl_of_Athlone_Arms.svg |image = File:Coat of arms of the 1st Earl of Athlone.svg
|bannerimage = |bannerimage =
|badgeimage = |badgeimage =
|notes =
|notes = Quarters two and three are derived from the ].
|adopted = |adopted =
|crest = A Dog's Head and Neck lozengy bendy sinister Sable and Or, langued Gules, a Crescent Argent, for difference. Coronet of an earl.
|crest =
|torse = |torse =
|helm = |helm =
|escutcheon = Quarterly, 1 and 4 the arms of ], being the arms of King ] and Hanover with the addition of a label of three points argent, charged on the centre point with a cross gules and on each outer point with two hearts also gules; 2 and 3 the arms of ]; overall a crescent sable for difference. |escutcheon = Quarterly: 1st & 4th grand-quarters, The Royal Arms as borne by a son King George III, differenced by a Label of three-points Argent, the centre point charged with a Cross Gules, and each of the other points with two Hearts in pale Gules; 2nd & 3rd grand-quarters, Or, three Stags' Attires fesswise in pale, the points of each Attire to the sinister Sable, impaling Or three Lions passant in pale Sable, langued Gules, the dexter forepaws Gules; over all an Inescutcheon lozengy bendy sinister Sable and Or ''(Teck)''; Over all at the fess point a Crescent Sable for difference.
|supporters = Dexter: a Lion Sable, the dexter forepaw Gules, differenced on the shoulder by a Crescent Argent.<br />Sinister: a Stag Proper, differenced on the shoulder by a Crescent Argent.
|supporters =
|compartment = |compartment =
|motto = |motto = '''FEARLESS AND FAITHFUL'''
|orders = |orders = ] ''(appointed 17 April 1928)''
|other_elements = |other_elements =
|banner = |banner =
|badge = |badge =
|symbolism = The second and third quarterings represent his descent from the ]
|symbolism =
|previous_versions = |previous_versions =
}} }}


==Ancestry== ==Ancestry==
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|3= 3. ] |3= 3. ]
|4= 4. ] |4= 4. ]
|5= 5. ] |5= 5. ]
|6= 6. ] |6= 6. ]
|7= 7. ] |7= 7. ]
|8= 8. ] |8= 8. ]
|9= 9. ] |9= 9. ]
|10= 10. Count László Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde |10= 10. Count László Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde
|11= 11. Baroness Ágnes Inczédy von Nagy-Várad |11= 11. Baroness Ágnes Inczédy von Nagy-Várad
|12= 12. ] |12= 12. ]
|13= 13. ] |13= 13. ]
|14= 14. ] |14= 14. ]
|15= 15. Princess Caroline Polyxene of Nassau-Usingen |15= 15. ]
}}
|16= 16. ]
|17= 17. ]
|18= 18. ]
|19= 19. ]
|20= 20. Count Mihály Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde
|21= 21. Baroness Terézia Bánffy von Losoncz
|22= 22. Baron Gergely Inczédy von Nagy-Várad
|23= 23. Baroness Karoline Barcsay von Nagy-Barcsa
|24= 24. ]
|25= 25. ]
|26= 26. ]
|27= 27. ]
|28= 28. ]
|29= 29. ]
|30= 30. Charles William, Prince of Nassau-Usingen
|31= 31. Countess Caroline of Leiningen-Dagsburg
}}</center>
{{ahnentafel bottom}}


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
{{portalpar|World War I}}
{{Portal|Biography|United Kingdom}}
{{portalpar|World War II}}
* ]
* ]
* ]


==Notes== ==Notes==
{{reflist|group="N"}} {{Reflist|group="n"}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commonscat|Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone}} {{Commons category|Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone}}
*{{LOCFC|athlone/}}
*
*
*
*. ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''
* Tributes to the Earl of Athlone by members of the House of Lords, 22 January 1957, as reported in '']''
* {{NPG name}}
* {{PM20|FID=pe/000730}}


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{{s-ttl|title = ] | {{s-ttl|title=]|years=1940–1946}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}{{S-aca}}
years = 1932 – 1955}}
{{s-aft|after = ]}} {{S-bef|before = ]}}
{{S-ttl|title = ] |
{{s-hon}}
years = 1932–1955}}
{{s-bef|before = ]<br><small>later became<br>King Edward VIII</small>}}
{{S-aft|after = ]}}
{{s-ttl|title = ] |
{{S-hon}}
years = 24 June 1936{{ndash}} 16 January 1957}}
{{s-aft|after = ]}} {{S-bef|before = ]}}
{{S-ttl|title = ] |
{{s-reg|uk}}
years = 24 June 1936&nbsp;– 16 January 1957}}
{{s-new|creation}}
{{s-ttl|title = ]|creation=3rd creation | {{S-aft|after = ]}}
{{S-bef|before = ]}}
years = 17 July 1917{{ndash}} 16 January 1957}}
{{S-ttl|title = ] |
{{s-non|reason = Extinct}}
years = 1931–1957}}
{{end}}
{{S-vac|next = ]}}
{{S-break}}
{{s-end}}


{{South Africa GG}} {{South Africa GG}}
{{Governors General of Canada}}
{{CanGG}}
{{Grand Masters of the Order of St Michael and St George}}
{{The Football Association}}


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{{Lifetime|1874|1957|Athlone, Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Athlone, Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl Of}}
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Latest revision as of 06:54, 14 January 2025

British Army general and colonial administrator (1874–1957)

Major-General The Right HonourableThe Earl of AthloneKG GCB GCMG GCVO DSO KStJ PC ADC FRS
Portrait, c. 1940
16th Governor General of Canada
In office
21 June 1940 – 12 April 1946
MonarchGeorge VI
Prime MinisterWilliam Lyon Mackenzie King
Preceded byThe Lord Tweedsmuir
Succeeded byThe Viscount Alexander of Tunis
4th Governor-General of South Africa
In office
21 January 1924 – 21 December 1930
MonarchGeorge V
Prime MinisterJan Smuts
J. B. M. Hertzog
Preceded byPrince Arthur of Connaught
Succeeded byThe Earl of Clarendon
Personal details
BornPrince Alexander of Teck
(1874-04-14)14 April 1874
Kensington Palace, London, England
Died16 January 1957(1957-01-16) (aged 82)
Kensington Palace, London, England
Resting placeRoyal Vault, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle; later Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore
Spouse Princess Alice of Albany ​ ​(m. 1904)​
ChildrenLady May Abel Smith
Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon
Prince Maurice of Teck
Parent(s)Francis, Duke of Teck
Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge
EducationEton College; Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
ProfessionArmy officer
AwardsSee below...
Military service
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Branch/serviceBritish Army
Years of service1894–1931
RankMajor-General
Battles/wars

Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George; born Prince Alexander of Teck; 14 April 1874 – 16 January 1957), was a member of the extended British royal family, as a great-grandson of King George III, a brother of Queen Mary, uncle to the Kings Edward VIII and George VI, and the husband of Princess Alice of Albany. He was a British Army commander, who served as Governor-General of the Union of South Africa and Governor General of Canada.

Prince Alexander was born in London to Francis, Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge and was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. In 1904, he married Princess Alice of Albany and rose in the military ranks through his service on the western front of the First World War, receiving numerous honours and decorations.

A cousin and also brother-in-law of King George V, Alexander relinquished his German titles in 1917, including that of Prince of Teck in the Kingdom of Württemberg, and was elevated to the peerage as the Earl of Athlone. In 1923, the King appointed Lord Athlone as Governor-General of South Africa, on the recommendation of British prime minister Stanley Baldwin, and he occupied the viceregal post until 1930. Athlone then served as Chancellor of the University of London until, in 1940, his nephew George VI appointed him as Governor General of Canada, on the recommendation of Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. He occupied the post until 1946. Athlone helped galvanise the Canadian war effort and was a host to British and American statesmen during the Second World War.

After returning to the United Kingdom, Athlone sat on the organising committee for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, his great-niece. He died at Kensington Palace in 1957 and was interred in the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore.

Early life, education, and military career

The Duchess of Teck and her family c. 1880; Prince Alexander sits centre with his arm around the Duchess, Princess Mary (later Queen Mary) is seated at far right
Teck-Cambridge Family
Francis, Duke of Teck
Children
Mary, Queen of the United Kingdom
Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge
Prince Francis of Teck
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Adolphus Cambridge,
 1st Marquess of Cambridge
Children
George Cambridge, 2nd Marquess of Cambridge
Mary Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort
Lady Helena Gibbs
Lord Frederick Cambridge
Grandchildren
Lady Mary Whitley
Alexander Cambridge,
 1st Earl of Athlone
Children
Lady May Abel Smith
Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon
Prince Maurice of Teck

Prince Alexander of Teck was born at Kensington Palace on 14 April 1874, the fourth child and third son of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, and Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. Although his mother was a granddaughter of King George III and first cousin to Queen Victoria, Athlone, as the son of a prince of Teck in Württemberg, was styled from birth as His Serene Highness and held the title Prince Alexander of Teck. He was known, however, to his family and friends as Alge, derived from the first two letters of Alexander and George, and was characterised as a meticulous individual with a quick, but short-lived, temper and an ability to be cautious and tactful.

Prince Alexander of Teck, 28 June 1910, wearing the insignia of the Royal Victorian Order, and the star and sash of the Order of the Rautenkrone

When Prince Alexander was nine years old, his parents fled the United Kingdom for continental Europe to escape their high debts. They stayed there for two years. The Prince remained at Eton College before moving on to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. In October 1894, having completed his officer's training, Prince Alexander was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars, and shortly after served in the Second Matabele War. He was mentioned in despatches during the conflict and, after its cessation, was appointed on 8 December 1898 by Queen Victoria as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. He received a promotion to lieutenant in June 1899 and to captain the following April. For his actions in the Second Boer War, Alexander was, in April 1901, appointed by King Edward VII as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

The announcement came on 16 November 1903 that Prince Alexander had become engaged to his second cousin once removed, Princess Alice of Albany, daughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and thus a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and niece of the then soon-to-be Governor General of Canada, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. The two were wed at St. George's Chapel, in Windsor Castle, on 10 February 1904 and, six days later, in celebration of the wedding, the Prince was promoted to the grade of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. The couple thereafter had three children: Princess May of Teck, born 1906; Prince Rupert of Teck, born 1907; and Prince Maurice Francis George of Teck. Maurice, however, lived only for less than six months, between 29 March and 14 September 1910.

In the same year, Prince Alexander was appointed Chairman of Middlesex Hospital.

First World War

Prior to the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Prince Alexander, who had been promoted to major in January 1911 and was a brevet lieutenant-colonel commanding the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards, was nominated by the British Prime Minister H. H. Asquith to serve as Governor General of Canada. However, the Prince was called up for active service with his regiment. taking him to battle in France and Flanders. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, with the temporary rank of brigadier-general, in December 1915. For his service on the battlefields, in June 1917 Prince Alexander was appointed by his brother in law, King George V, as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

During the war, anti-German sentiment throughout the British Empire led the King to change the name of the royal house from the Germanic House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the more English House of Windsor, while simultaneously renouncing all Germanic titles for himself and all members of the Royal Family. Through a royal warrant issued on 14 July 1917, Alexander, along with his brother, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Teck, similarly relinquished all of his German titles, styles, and honours, choosing instead the name of Cambridge, after his grandfather, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. Alexander was then known simply as Sir Alexander Cambridge (being entitled to the honorific Sir through his knighthoods in the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the Bath), until, on 7 November 1917, the King created him Earl of Athlone and Viscount Trematon. Athlone had declined a marquessate, as he thought the title did not sound British enough. Athlone's wife retained her royal style and title, while their surviving children became the Lady May Cambridge and Rupert Cambridge, Viscount Trematon. Rupert was to inherit the title of Earl of Athlone, but he died on 15 April 1928 following a car crash, ten days shy of his twenty-first birthday, meaning the third creation of the title became extinct with the death of the first earl.

Post-war career and Governor-General of the Union of South Africa

Following the cessation of hostilities in Europe in 1918, Athlone was promoted to the brevet rank of colonel in June 1919, and retired from the army that November, with the honorary rank of brigadier-general. He took up posts in the civilian world, continuing at Middlesex Hospital. Because of his experience there, he was appointed in 1921 to chair an investigative committee on the needs of doctors. Known as the Athlone Committee, its work resulted in the creation of post-graduate schools for medical education and research, such as the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. In March 1922, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the Regular Army Reserves, retaining his honorary rank of brigadier-general, and, in 1937, was appointed chair of a committee of inquiry into the arrangements for "recruitment, training and registration and terms and conditions of service" for nurses.

For their London residence, the Athlones used the grace and favour apartments of Princess Alice's mother, the late Duchess of Albany, in the Clock House at Kensington Palace and, in 1923, they acquired a country residence, Brantridge Park, in West Sussex.

In December of the same year, Athlone was appointed by the King as both an honorary major-general and as the Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, replacing his wife's cousin, Prince Arthur of Connaught. He arrived in Pretoria in January 1924 and was immediately at work with his viceregal duties, opening the newly finished parliament building, just weeks before his South African prime minister, Jan Smuts, suddenly advised him to prorogue the legislature.

In the ensuing election—the running of which forced Athlone to cancel the planned tour of Prince Edward, Prince of Wales—the National Party won a majority of seats in the House of Assembly, meaning Athlone appointed the party's leader, James Barry Munnik Hertzog, as his new prime minister. At the time, Afrikaner nationalism was increasing in the dominion, and Hertzog was a republican who promoted the secession of South Africa from the British Empire. As such, he proposed the country adopt its own flag over the Union Flag. Athlone, however, proved sympathetic and tactful, and resolved the issue by advancing a flag that was unique to South Africa, but which still contained the Union Flag within it, despite opposition from numerous Afrikaners. He also gained popularity with South Africans of all races through his frequent tours of the country, performing a number of ceremonial duties, including opening Pioneers' Park in Johannesburg.

For his service to the Crown in South Africa, Athlone was appointed by George V as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, on 17 April 1928, and, upon his return to the UK, was made on 4 August 1931 the Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle. The following year, he was also selected as the Chancellor of the University of London, which post he held until 1955.

In 1937 he led the Ministry of Health and Board of Education Interim Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Nursing Services, also known as The Athlone Report. It looked at nursing recruitment, retention and skills and included Dame Ellen Musson

In January 1939, Athlone was appointed president of The Football Association. The move represented the first time the FA had appointed someone that was not a football administrator to the position.

Governor General of Canada

The Earl of Athlone (seated right) with (left to right) Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, US President Roosevelt, and UK Prime Minister Churchill, at La Citadelle, August 1943
The Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, followed by Prime Minister Mackenzie King at the State Opening of Parliament, 6 September 1945

In Canada in the late 1930s, there had been calls from government circles and the media alike for the King to appoint a Canadian-born individual as governor general. However, with the rush to fill the post after the unexpected death (on February 11, 1940) of the incumbent viceroy, Lord Tweedsmuir, and with the country embroiled in the Second World War, Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King advised King George VI that the time was not right for such a change in viceregal tradition.

Instead, it was George's uncle, the Earl of Athlone, whose name Mackenzie King put forward and the Earl accepted. Subsequently, Athlone, along with his wife and his aide-de-camp, Alastair Windsor, Earl of Macduff, voyaged to Canada to take up his position, their liner using a submarine-evading zig-zag pattern across the Atlantic Ocean to Halifax, Nova Scotia. After travelling on to Ottawa by train, Athlone was sworn in during a ceremony in the Senate chamber on 21 June 1940. The Athlones' three grandchildren, Anne, Richard, and Elizabeth (children of their daughter May), lived with them in Canada for the duration of the war.

Athlone immediately made himself active in the support of the war effort, travelling across the country and focusing much of his attention on the troops, either those training at military facilities or those injured and in hospital. Viewing his position as governor general as a link between Canadians and their monarch, Athlone also communicated in speeches that the King stood with them in their fight against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.

The war was brought close to home for the Athlones also because many of those belonging to displaced European royal families sought refuge in Canada and resided at or near the royal and viceroyal residence, Rideau Hall. Among the royal guests were Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Märtha of Norway; Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Luxembourg; King Peter II of Yugoslavia; King George II of Greece; Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma (Austria-Hungary) and her daughters; as well as Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and her daughter, Princess Juliana. Further, in December 1941, British prime minister Winston Churchill arrived at the residence, where he presided over British Cabinet meetings via telephone from his bed.

It was Athlone's duty to play host at Quebec City to his prime minister, still Mackenzie King, as well as Churchill and President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt, who all gathered to take part in what would become known as the Quebec Conferences, with the first taking place between 17 and 24 August 1943 at the viceregal residence in La Citadelle, and the second occurring from 12 to 16 September 1944 at the Château Frontenac. It was at these meetings that the four men discussed the Allied strategies that would eventually lead to victory over Nazi Germany and Japan. When Germany fell on 8 May 1945 and Japan on 15 August of the same year, Athlone led the national celebrations held on Parliament Hill and elsewhere. He thereafter spoke in speeches about Canada's future being marked not by war but by a strong role in reconstruction and reconciliation.

During his time as the Canadian viceroy, Athlone also lent his status to various charitable and other social events, and mounted a number of activities of his own, such as tobogganing parties and skating lessons on the grounds of Rideau Hall, as well as skiing in Gatineau Park. When he departed Canada at the end of his time as the King's representative, Athlone left as a legacy the Athlone Fellowship, awarded by the Engineering Institute of Canada.

Post-viceregal life

Bust of the Earl of Athlone, Senate House, University of London.

After Lord Athlone's replacement as governor general was appointed on 21 March 1946, he returned to the United Kingdom to retirement, taking up residence again in a grace and favour apartment at Kensington Palace and, on 1 September of that year, resigning as colonel of the 7th Queen's Own Hussars. He did not completely remove himself from public activity, however, and was, along with his Canadian viceregal successor, Lord Alexander of Tunis, appointed to the committee charged with organising the coronation in 1953 of Athlone's great-niece, Queen Elizabeth II, and continued to sit as Chancellor of the University of London until 1955.

The Earl of Athlone died at Kensington on 16 January 1957 at the age of 82, and was interred in the Royal Vault at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 19 January before being transferred to the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore on 15 May 1957. He was the last surviving great-grandchild of George III.

Honours

Ribbon bars of the Earl of Athlone
Orders
  • 1888 – 14 July 1917: Grand Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown
  • United Kingdom 8 December 1898 – 16 February 1901: Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
  • United Kingdom 16 February 1901 – 16 January 1957: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
  • United Kingdom 19 April 1901: Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
  • Kingdom of Saxony 1904 – 14 July 1917: Knight of the Order of the Rue Crown
  • 22 July 1904 – 14 July 1917: Grand Cross with Crown in Ore of the House Order of the Wendish Crown
  • United Kingdom 5 August 1904 – 16 January 1957: Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St John (KStJ)
  • United Kingdom 19 June 1911 – 16 January 1957: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (civil division) (GCB)
  • United Kingdom 4 June 1917 – 6 November 1923: Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
  • United Kingdom 6 November 1923 – 24 June 1936: Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
  • United Kingdom 24 June 1936 – 16 January 1957: Grand Master of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
  • England 17 April 1928 – 16 January 1957: Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG)
Appointments
Medals
Awards
Foreign honours and decorations

Honorary military appointments

Honorific eponyms

Awards
Geographic locations
Buildings
Schools

Arms

Coat of arms of Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Crest
A Dog's Head and Neck lozengy bendy sinister Sable and Or, langued Gules, a Crescent Argent, for difference. Coronet of an earl.
Escutcheon
Quarterly: 1st & 4th grand-quarters, The Royal Arms as borne by a son King George III, differenced by a Label of three-points Argent, the centre point charged with a Cross Gules, and each of the other points with two Hearts in pale Gules; 2nd & 3rd grand-quarters, Or, three Stags' Attires fesswise in pale, the points of each Attire to the sinister Sable, impaling Or three Lions passant in pale Sable, langued Gules, the dexter forepaws Gules; over all an Inescutcheon lozengy bendy sinister Sable and Or (Teck); Over all at the fess point a Crescent Sable for difference.
Supporters
Dexter: a Lion Sable, the dexter forepaw Gules, differenced on the shoulder by a Crescent Argent.
Sinister: a Stag Proper, differenced on the shoulder by a Crescent Argent.
Motto
FEARLESS AND FAITHFUL
Orders
Order of the Garter (appointed 17 April 1928)
Symbolism
The second and third quarterings represent his descent from the Dukes of Württemberg

Ancestry

Ancestors of Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
8. Duke Louis of Württemberg
4. Duke Alexander of Württemberg
9. Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg
2. Francis, Duke of Teck
10. Count László Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde
5. Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde
11. Baroness Ágnes Inczédy von Nagy-Várad
1. Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
12. George III of the United Kingdom
6. Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge
13. Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
3. Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge
14. Prince Frederick of Hesse-Kassel
7. Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel
15. Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen

See also

Notes

  1. Lord Macduff (originally Prince Alastair of Connaught), who would succeed to the title of Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1942, was the grandson of the previous Governor General of Canada, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, and the son of former South African governor general Prince Arthur of Connaught. He died at Rideau Hall in 1943.

References

  1. Galbraith, William (1989), "Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1939 Royal Visit" (PDF), Canadian Parliamentary Review, 12 (3), Ottawa: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: 7–9, archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2011, retrieved 14 December 2009
  2. Wayling, Thomas (22 May 1939). "George VI Becomes King of Canada". The Leader-Post. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  3. "George IV, Dominion Will See First 'King of Canada'". The Canadian Jewish Chronicle. 12 May 1939. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  4. Tidridge, Nathan (5 February 2012). "This Jubilee day is also a sad anniversary". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  5. ^ Eilers, Marlene A. (1987). Queen Victoria's Descendants. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-938311-04-1.
  6. ^ Cokayne, G. E.; et al. (2000). The Complete Peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom, Extant, Extinct or Dormant. Vol. XIII. Gloucester: Alan Sutton Publishing. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-904387-82-7.
  7. ^ "Earl of Athlone (1874–1957)". University of Warwick. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  8. "No. 26563". The London Gazette. 23 October 1894. p. 5929.
  9. "No. 27032". The London Gazette. 13 December 1898. p. 8045.
  10. "No. 27106". The London Gazette. 8 August 1899. p. 4895.
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