H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught [1883-1938] in uniform of the 7th Queen’s Hussars, signed 1908

A three quarter length portrait of HRH Prince Arthur of Connaught and Strathearn, mounted on thick, gilt edged photographer’s card, of the large royal portrait size [7.5 x 12ins], the bottom of the card [presumably with the photographer’s credit] has been trimmed off so that the portrait [itself unaffected] would fir in a picture frame. The portrait shows the prince in dashing pose and is signed top left ‘Arthur’ and dated 1908 top right. He wears the dress uniform of the 7th Queen’s Own Hussars in which he served, hand on sword hilt, sporting sash and star of the Order of the Garter and the Star of the Royal Victorian Order. The Prince was born at Windsor in 1883, his father being Prince Arthur, 3rd son of Queen Victoria. Arthur was also a personal ADC to the King, was one of the four Counsellors of State during the King’s absence in India 1911-12 and he was also a captain in the 3rd Prussian (Zeiten) Hussars. The date of the photograph suggests it was taken shortly after he received the Order of Garter [this honour is not shown in the 1907 Army List]. Prince Arthur joined the Hussars in 1901 seeing active service with them in South Africa.. In 190 he transferred to the Royal Scots Greys. After the First World War, when he was an ADC to Haig, he retired as a lieutenant colonel and ion 1920 became Governor General of the Union of South Africa. There is some damage to the photograph’s surface, mainly not affecting the figure, and a small crack across the top right corner.