List of Heirs To Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - Heirs To Alfred, 1893-1900

Heirs To Alfred, 1893-1900

The heir-apparent at Duke Alfred's accession was his only son

• the Hereditary Prince Alfred Alexander Wilhelm Ernst Albert, who had been born in 1874.

Hereditary Prince Alfred died on 6 February 1899 three days after attempting suicide with a revolver. The heir-presumptive was now his uncle

• Arthur William Patrick Albert, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.

The Duke of Connaught was a career officer in the British Army and did not wish to go and rule a German duchy. His only son Prince Arthur was also reluctant to succeed, which left the young Duke of Albany (only son of Prince Albert's youngest son Leopold who had died in 1884) as next in line. Prince Arthur was a year ahead of the Duke of Albany at Eton and reportedly threatened to beat his cousin if he did not accept the duchy. These changes were effected by a law of 15 July 1899, which made

• Leopold Charles Edward George Albert, Duke of Albany, the heir-presumptive.

On the death of Duke Alfred the next year on 30 July 1900, he was duly succeeded by his nephew, who became Duke Carl Eduard.