Pretty much everyone knows who Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, or even the Sussexes (Harry and Meghan) are. But there are also lesser-known Royals, like this young boy that was forgotten.
Discover our latest podcast
John suffers from epilepsy
We are talking about Prince John, whose full name is Prince John Charles Francis of Great Britain and Ireland—Queen Elizabeth II's uncle. In 1905, he was born to Prince George (who later became King George V) and his wife Mary. John is the youngest and has five older siblings, four boys and one girl. Among the boys are the later Kings Edward VIII and George VI.
Read more:
⋙ Prince George and Princess Charlotte go by these different names at school
⋙ Queen Elizabeth II's life was changed forever at this 'forgotten castle'
In the first years of his life, little John had a normal childhood - by Royal standards - but in 1909 the family receives news of his diagnosis: John suffered from epilepsy, and there are also said to have been signs of autism, according to Bunte.
He disappeared from the public eye
While he was still often seen in public and in family photos before his diagnosis, things looked very different afterwards. He was no longer shown in public or in portraits after 1913 and was also not present at his father's coronation.
Due to his illness, the child had difficulties with speech and learning, which was why he no longer went to class at the age of eleven. In 1917, his seizures became so severe that the family sent him away with his nanny to a remote house.
According to Bunte, the nanny Charlotte Bill wrote in a letter that the siblings were 'so upset' about the epileptic seizures, which is why John was then sent away.
Read more:
⋙ King Charles rumoured to be related to notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper
⋙ Queen Elizabeth II once hid in plain sight to party on the streets of London
This is what his brother thought of John at the time
Medical professionals said that Prince John wouldn't live long, which was sadly confirmed in 1919 when the prince died at a mere 13 years old. Before that, in his seclusion, he was said to have received repeated visits from his family, and other children were also said to have been invited to play with him. John's eldest brother, King Edward VIII, wrote to his mistress after John's death, according to the FAZ:
Of course, the death of my little brother hits me; don't think I'm cold-hearted, my sweet, but I've already told you all about this little brother, that he was an epileptic and could have died basically any day!!! He had been locked up for two years, no one but family got to see him - and only once or twice a year. His death is the greatest relief imaginable; silently we always prayed for it.
Nevertheless, the question arises whether the Royal Family tried to hide a sick child from the eyes of the public or whether they only wanted what was best for the sick John and therefore sealed him off from the outside world. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.
This article was translated from Ohmymag DE
Sources used:
Bunte: 'Prinz John (†13) – der vergessene Windsor'
FAZ von 2005: Der verlorene Prinz. Vor 100 Jahren wurde Königin Elisabeths Onkel John geboren – und schon bald darauf wieder vergessen
