HRH Prince Arthur (later Duke of Connaught and Strathearn KG), 1868

Marble bust on a socle by HRH Princess Louise (later Marchioness of Lorne and Duchess of Argyll), (1848-1939), exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1868 No. 931.

The third son and seventh child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Prince Arthur (1850-1942) was named after his godfather, Field Marshal Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington, on whose 81st birthday he was born. From an early age the prince was interested in military matters and in 1866 he entered the Royal Military Academy Woolwich. He completed his studies in 1868, when, as an 18-year old gentleman cadet, he was sculpted in marble by his sister.

Prince Arthur received a commission in the Royal Engineers but soon transferred to the Royal Artillery and then to 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade stationed in Montreal, a posting which he very much enjoyed. In 1874 he was created Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and Earl of Sussex, and received a commission in the 7th Hussars.

During his military career, the Duke served in Gibraltar, Egypt and India, becoming Commander-in-Chief in Ireland for four years from 1900, then Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean from 1907 to 1909. He was Governor-General of Canada from 1911 to 1916.

Despite the privileges of his rank, the Duke had a reputation as a straightforward, hard-working soldier, known for his concern for the welfare of his men, with no time for pettiness or insincerity. In 1879 Prince Arthur married Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia. He was succeeded very briefly by his grandson, after which his titles became extinct.