Charles Edward

Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Leopold Charles Edward George Albert, German: Leopold Carl Eduard Georg Albert; 19 July 1884 – 6 March 1954) was the last sovereign duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, from 30 July 1900 until 1918. A male-line grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he was also until 1919 a Prince of the United Kingdom and from birth held the British titles of Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence and Baron Arklow. Charles Edward spent his childhood years in the United Kingdom but was sent to Germany in his mid-teens, and received the final years of his education there, due to the need for an heir to the Duchy Of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in the German Empire. He became Duke in 1900 and took full responsibility for the role in 1905. His style of governance was considered to be loyal to the emperor and somewhat autocratic. He also supported art, science and local industry. During World War I, Charles Edward's support for his adoptive country led to him being viewed with increased hostility in the UK and ultimately losing his British titles, while in Germany, the end of monarchy led to the loss of his constitutional position. After this, he drifted towards far-right politics, and later became involved in the Nazi regime. Fined by a Denazification court and losing land in what would become East Germany after World War II, Charles Edward died in poverty in 1954.