Employment With The Kents
Through the connection of his wife's uncle, Conroy came to the attention of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son of King George III. Conroy was appointed as an equerry in 1817, shortly before the Duke's marriage to Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. An efficient organiser, Conroy's planning ensured the Duke and Duchess' speedy return back to England in time for the birth of their first child. The child was Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, later Queen Victoria.
While Kent had promised Conroy military advancement, he was still a captain by the time of the Duke's death in 1820. Conroy was however named an executor of the Duke's will, though he was unsuccessful in persuading the dying man to name him Victoria's guardian. Aware that he needed to find another source of revenue quickly, Conroy offered his services as comptroller to the now-widowed Duchess of Kent and her infant daughter. Conroy's native language was of particular value to the Duchess because she had not yet acquired fluency in English. Conroy retired from military service on half-pay in 1822.
Read more about this topic: John Conroy
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