The British landmarks in Mysore bear the names of top ranking British officers who were credited with administrative ability. The grateful rulers created new landmarks in their honour and in the process made Mysore a beautiful and well-planned royal city.
However, a leading road is named after a 19th century British prince whose name is shadowed by gossips and scandals that led to fictional portrayals as well. A ‘ladies’ man’, he was even alleged to be one of the most famous suspects in ‘Jack the Ripper’ murder case. However, these rumors regarding his lifestyle, intelligence, and physical health were not proven.
Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clearance and Avondale and Earl of Athlone, known to his friends as ‘Eddie’, was born in 1864 to Prince Albert Edward, who was then known as the Prince of Wales and who later became King Edward VII, and Princess Alexandra. Albert Edward was the son of Queen Victoria.
Premature birth probably resulted in learning difficulties and the grandson of Queen Victoria never excelled intellectually. Mild form of mental epilepsy in his childhood added to his poor progress. After training in the Royal Navy, he was sent on a three-year cruise round the world as a naval cadet, along with his brother. After visiting a number of countries, they returned to England, by when Albert was 18.
Albert joined Trinity College, Cambridge, and there were unconfirmed rumours about his sexual behaviour, while he showed little interest in studies. He left Cambridge in 1885. However, he passed his examinations in 1887 and became a captain.
In 1889, the Royal Prince was spoken of having been involved in a male brothel affair, which came to be popularly known as ‘Cleveland Street Scandal’. This was, however, described as ‘fabricated.’. Despite these rumours, Albert was still popular as kind and considerate.
After failed attempts, Albert was set to marry Princess Mary in February 1892. But the young life was cut off in its early prime. The successor to the throne became a victim of the 1889-92 Great Influenza and met a premature death at the age of 28 on January 14, 1892.
“We only announced this betrothal on December 7, and now, in less than six weeks, we have to announce its rupture by the cruel hand of death. The wedding feast gives way to the funeral bakemeats; the wedding chimes to the solemn tolling of the minute bell,” it was bemoaned.
Prior to his death, the lamented Prince undertook in October 1889 a seven-month tour of India as his father, the Prince of Wales, had done in 1875. Albert arrived in Bombay on November 9.
After visiting Hyderabad, where the Nizam entertained him, he left Madras on November 22 for Mysore. On 23rd, the royal train passed Bangalore on its way to Mysore and halted at Srirangapatnam for a while.
Here, he visited the corner where the breach was made in the fort walls and through which the British troops entered into Srirangapatna. Then he visited Tippu’s Summer Palace, Daria Doulat and Mausoleum. After luncheon, the royal party boarded the special train at Paschimavahini.
At the Mysore Railway Station, “The Prince was met by the Maharaja attended by the Dewan and other officers as well as the notable men of the place, besides a complimentary escort consisting of the Mysore Lancers, gaily caparisoned elephants, the Mysore Infantry clad in scarlet, carriages drawn by teams of white horses wearing pink aigrettes and other paraphernalia of magnificence.”
“The next day was spent in exchange of visits between the Prince and the Maharaja and in visit to the Maharani’s Girls’ School. From there, he paid a visit to the Palace. At night there was a banquet in honour of the distinguished visitor. After the banquet was over, he was driven round the city to witness the illuminations.”
“The large Doddakere tank to the east of the Fort was lighten up by thousands of wicks burning in earthen saucers containing oil. Eight circular basket boats floated over a surface of small rippling waves, their gunwales being picked out with lamps, the reflections of which shimmered down the slowly moving surface of the water. In the centre of the lake was a glittering white house built of pith and talc, all one blaze of light.”
Later in the same night there was an entertainment in the Rangacharlu Memorial Hall.
On November 25 morning, the Maharaja drove Prince Albert to Khedda camp in Chamarajanagar taluk The Prince had to go on horse back under hot sun the last five miles to the camp where elaborate arrangements had been made.
The next day, November 26, he witnessed roping of the captured elephants. After bison shooting, the party returned to Mysore on November 28 and the Prince laid foundation stone for the Maharaja’s College building in the Gordon Park on November 29.
The royal party left for Bangalore the next day. Before they proceeded to Travancore, the Prince laid foundation-stone of a permanent building for horticultural shows in Lal Bagh gardens on November 30. The Glass House at the Lal Bagh was built to commemorate Prince Albert's visit to Bangalore. He was given a reception in the garden by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar.
In his honour, the road from the present K R Circle up to the Hardinge Circle was named as ‘Albert Victor Road’. In Bangalore too, a road in Chamarajapet was christiened in his name. ‘