Life
He spent four years at Christ Church, Oxford University where he acquired an honorary doctorate in civil law. While studying in Oxford, Leopold was friendly with the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, Alice Liddle. She was the inspiration for Lewis Carrell while writing “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. Rumours of their romance were also heard. People believe that Leopold named his first daughter, Alice after her.
Working as Queen’s private secretary
Being Queen’s private secretary made Prince Leopold meet ministers and he started to love it. The only thing he hated about the job was that he had to be at the Queen’s disposal every time she needed him. He wanted to be independent and get married.
Marriage
Finding a mate for Prince Leopold was difficult because he was suffering from mild epilepsy, a neurological disorder. At that time people knew less about haemophilia and its effects. However, on April 27, 1882, Leopold was married to Princes Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont. At the time of marriage, Leopold and Helena barely knew each other, but soon they became devoted to each other. They had two children – Alice and Charles Edward.
Tragically, their marriage did not last long and the Prince did not get a chance to spend a lot of time with his beloved family. In 1884, Leopold went to Cannes, France to spend the winter as recommended by his doctor. Helena was expecting her second child at that time. Prince Leopold slipped and fell in the private home where he was living in Cannes on March 27, 1884. He died the following morning due to cerebral haemorrhage with injuries on his knee and head. He was 31 years old.
Helena gave birth to Leopold’s son after four months and he
Prince Leopold’s daughter Alice, married Queen Mary’s brother Alexander Cambridge, the first Earl of Athlon. She died in 1981.