Naturalization. HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg
O 144/594/B16148
No B16,148
Date : 19 April 94
Mr H.P. Spottiswoode
References: see domestic papers 1818, nat. cert. 5961
Naturalization. HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg
Requests enquiry made as to whether certain documents signed by Prince Louis of Battenberg have been deposited at H.O. & if so whether they give him the rights of a British subject.
Also asks should these rights not attach under the circumstances, he may be informed whether H.O. is aware of any other means by which he has acquired the rights or whether it is necessary for him to obtain a certificate or an Act of Parliement.
Minutes
Mr Stapleton
There are no documents beyond the memorial of H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg. He was naturalized on the 20 September 1868 and he can obtain a copy of the enrolment at the Rcord Office.
20/4/94
It appears from the papers herewith, that Prince Louis of Battenberg was naturalized under the Act of 1844, but that the condition as to forfeiture of Nat.y in case of absence without license from the U.K. was omitted: so that notwithstanding absence from the U.K. he continues to hold the Nat.y conferred by that Act.
? Inform Mr Spottiswoode of the Act under which, and the date at which, the Prince was naturalized & that a copy of the enrolment of his certificate of Nat.y can be obtained at the Record Office.
20/4/94
20 April 94
wrote M Spottiswoode
20/4/94
32, Craven Street London W.C.
19th April 1894
Sir.
I am requested by H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg to ascertain whether certain documents which he signed and amongst them the Oath of Allegiance which appears to have been verified before a justice of the Peace or some other official have been lodged or registered at the Home Office.
The documents would have been signed in all probability either in September, October or November 1868 when HSH was contemplating entering into the Royal Navy.
I may state that the immediate object of the enquiry is to ascertain how far such documents if recorded would give him the rights of a British subject.
Assuming these rights do not attach under the circumstances would you be so good as to tell me for the information of HSH whether by any other means within the knowledge of the Home Office he has acquired these rights or whether it would be incumbent upon him to obtain the Certificate of the Home Office or an Act of Parliament.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your very Obedient Servant
Henry P. Spottiswoode
The Rt Hon. Herbert H. Asquith
The Home Office
Whitehall
B16,148/2
Date: 25 April 94
Mr H. P. Spottiswoode
Naturalization HSH Prince Louis Alexandre of Battenberg
Says he has obtained from the Record Office a copy of the Certificate granted on 30 Sept 1868, but points out that it does not confer the same privileges as the Act of 1870.
Enquires the mode of procedure in order to obtain the full advantages of that Act.
Minutes
? Send Instructions “B” (copy within)
? As to any modifications in favor of HSH
26.4.94
26 April 1894
I think considering the circumstances of this case all references may be dispensed with in this case
26 April 1894
Instruction B amended accordingly
Forward to Mr Spottiswoode
26.4.94
Wrote Mr Spottiswoode
26.4.94
See (./3) (in 1900)
32, Craven Street London W.C.
25th April 1894
Sir.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 20th inst. and thank you for the information therein contained.
In accordance with the suggestion in your letter I have obtained from the Record Office an office copy of the certificate of Naturalization granted to HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg on the
30th September 1868.
30th September 1868.
I observe that the certificate does not confer the same privileges as the Act of 1870 permits the Secretary of State to confer and I should be glad therefore if you would inform me what procedure would be necessary for HSH to adopt in order to get the full advantages of the 1870 Act.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your very Obedient Servant
Henry P. Spottiswoode
The Rt Hon Herbert H Asquith
The Home Office
Whitehall
Public Record Office Copy
(pursuant to Statute 1 & 2 Vict. c. 94)
Close Roll (Chancery)
1868 Part 119 m 36
Prince of Battenberg
a
Certif.e
Secretary of State’s Office
Whitehall
In pursuance of an Act passed in the Session of Parliament holden in the 7th and 8th years of Her Majesty Queen Victoria intituled “An Act to amend the Laws relating to Aliens”
I hereby certify that Louis Alexandre Prince of Battenberg an Alien now residing in in that part of Great Britain called England with intent to settle therein has presented to me The Right Honorable Gathorne Hardy one of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State a Memorial stating that he is a Subject of the Grand Duke of Hesse born at Gratz in Austria in the year 1854 unmarried and intends to continue to reside permanently within the United Kingdom and praying me as such Secretary of State to grant to him the Certificate therein mentioned
And whereas I have inquired into the circumstances of the case and have received such evidence as I have deemed necessary for proving the truth of the allegations contained in such Memorial
Now in pursuance of the power and authority given to me as Secretary of State by the said Act I hereby grant to the aforesaid Louis Alexandre Prince of Battenberg (upon his taking the Oath prescribed by the said Act) all the rights and capacities of a natural born British Subject except the capacity of being a Member of the Privy Council or a Member of either House of Parliament & except any rights or capacities of a natural born British Subject out of and beyond the Dominions of the British Crown and the limits thereof other than such as may be confferred upon him by the Grant of a Passport from the Secretary of State to enable him to travel in Foreign Parts
In Witness whereof I have hereto subscribed my name this 30th day of September 1868
Gathorne Hardy
I do hereby certify that on this fourteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight at Gosport in the County of Southampton I duly administered to Louis Alexandre Prince of Battenberg the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria prescribed by the Tenth Section of the Sixty Sixth Chapter of the Act passed in the Seventh and Eight years of the reign of Queen Victoria intituled “An Act to amend the Laws relating to Aliens” and that the said Oath was then and there duly taken and subscribed by the said Louis Alexander Prince of Battenberg
James Hoskins
A Commissioner to Administer Oaths in Chancery in England
By Fiat. And be it Remembered that by the Command of the Right Honorable John Baron Romilly Master of the Rolls in these words and figures 15th October 1868 the Master of the Rolls doth order that these Certificates be enrolled pursuant to the Statute 7th and 8th Vict. Cap. 66 A Cox Sec.y the Certificates aforesaid were enrolled word for word as above written.
I certify that the foregoing is a true and authentic copy
R. Douglas Trimmer
Assistant Keeper of the Public Records
7 April 1899
B 16,148/3
Date: 28th March 1900
Mr H. P. Spottiswoode
Naturalisation. HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg
Asks if above has now by lapse of time and services rendered become entitled to be a member of either of the Houses of Parliament or of the Privy Council, or whether naturalization would have an enabling effect.
Minutes
Ackd A.30.3.1900
The rights and privileges to wh the Prince is entitled as a British subject are of the most limited character. See copy of his certificate in ./2. Such rights and privilaged wd be enlarged if he were to obtain a certificate under the Act of 1870, but whether the wd even then include eligibility for membership of the Privy Council or either House of Parlt is a moot point.
? Say that in his opinion the Cert. of Nat. granted to HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg under rthe Nat. Act of 1844 does not enable him to be a member of the Privy Council or of either House of Parlt, but that the whole law relating to Nat is now under the consideration of the Govt and that it is anticipated that one effect of the legislation in contemplation may be to give the Prince the full status of a British subject.
2.4.
Ap 3. 00
wrote M Spottiswoode
12/4
Donington House
Norfolk Street
London, W.C.
28th March 1900
Sir
In April 1894 you addressed some communications to me on the subject of a proposed application by HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg, whom I have the honour ro represent, for a certificate of naturalization.
He now wishes to know whether lapse of time since his original certificate was granted in October 1868, his services in the Royal Navy and other appointments held by him have in any way affected his status under his certificate, in particular whether he has now become entitled to be a member of either of the Houses of Parliament or of the Privy Council, privileges which I believe I was right in saying did not of necessity follow from naturalization under the Acts prior to the Act of 1870.
May I ask further, whether in the event of his applying for, and obtaining, a certificate under the Act of 1870, he would by virtue thereof be eligible to obtain such privileges as those which refer viz of becoming a member of either of the Houses of Parliament or of the Privy Council without obtaining other qualification?
I have the honour
to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
Henry P Spottiswoode
B16,148/4
Date: 25th April 1900
Mr H P Spottiswoode
Naturalization HRH [sic] Prince Louis of Battenberg
States that HO letter of 12th inst does not touch question raised in his letter of 28th ult, as to privileges accruing by virtue of a certificate under Act of 1870.
Asks if there is any bill before Parliament dealing with the subject.
Minutes
Ackd A
26.4.00
? Say that the provisions of 12 & 13 Will III c. 2 imposing disabilities on naturalized persons are still on the statute book. In the footnote to that Act in the Revised Edition of the Statutes it is stated that those provisions are “virtually repealed” by s. 7 of the Nat Act 1870, and in practice it has been taken that they are so, but the point has never been raised before a Court of Law. Add that no bill on the subject is before Parlt.
WH 27.4
CD 28/4
HC Ap 30/00
wrote Spottiswoode May 2
A clerk for Barnes & Bernard, 11 Finsbury Circus, called today & was told the date of Act under wh Prince Louis was naturalized.
6.10.2
Donington House
Norfolk Street
London, W.C.
25th April 1900
Sir,
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th inst.
This does not however touch upon the question I asked in my letter of the 28th ult. viz. as to the privileges accruing by virtue of a certificate under the Act of 1870.
I am prompted to repeat the question as your letter does not inform me when the legislation in contemplation is likely to be carried into effect.
May I ask if there is any Bill before Parliament dealing with the subject?
I have the honour to be,
Sir
Your obedient servant
Henry P Spottiswoode
The Under Secretary of State
Home Office
B16,148/5
Date: 11th Jany 1909
Louis Alexander Prince of Battenberg
Memorial for Certificate of Naturalization
Agent. Mr Henry P Spottiswoode, Donington House, Norfolk Street, W.C.
Minutes
This arises out of 154961/5: and the object is to remove the anomaly involved in two of Prince Louis’ children (Princess Louise, Prince George) being aliens by reason of birth abroad. His naturalisation under the Act of 1844 does not extend to these children. Naturalisation under the Act of 1870 will do so if they reside thereafter with him in U.K. during minority. This new naturalisation is little mor than a formality. Ordinary requirements of referees and enquiries may be waived.
? Grant cert. and in due course inform F.O. as on 159961/7
J.P.
13/1/09
HC Jan 15, 09
asked for fee 15.1.09
fee received 18.1.09
Certificate B321 made out 18.1.09
Do. sent for oath 19.1.09
Do. received for registration 20.1.09
Do. registered and returned 20.1.09
The out registrar wish to know how to proceed as regards publication in the monthly and annual returns. [there is no precedent. this class of case being extinct since before the system of publication was settled.]
Easley
The Returns are R. Showing the names of all Aliens to whom Certs. have been granted. Prince Louis is not an alien but a B.S. naturaized.
? Omit from the returns
22.1.IX
J.P.
23/1/09
Noted 25.1.09
Donington House
Norfolk Street
London, W.C.
Telephone No 12993 Central (Post Office)
11st January 1909
Sir
Enclosed I beg to hand to you the memorial of His Serene Highness Prince Louis of Battenberg applying for a certificate of narturalization under the Act of 1870. Together with a declaration in support.
May I ask the favor of an early consideration of the subject?
I have etc.
Henry P Spottiswoode
To The Right Honourable
His Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Home Department
To The Right Honourable
His Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Home Department
The Humble Memorial of
Louis Alexander Prince of Battenberg
a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy and Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet
Sheweth:
- That your memorialist was originally a subject of the Grand Duke of Hesse and was born at Gratz in Austria
- That your Memorialist is of the age of 54 years and upwards having been born on the 24th day of May 1854 and is a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy
- That on the 30th day of September 1868 The Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Home Department issued a Certificate of Naturalization in favour of your Memorialist under the provisions of the Act 7 and 8 Victoria Chapter 66.
- That your Memorialist is married and has the following children:
- Her Royal Highness Victoria Alice Elisabeth Julie Marie Therese Princess Andrew of Greece Born the 25th day of February 1885
- Luise Alexandra Marie Irene The Princess Louisa of Battenberg Born the 13th day of July 1889
- Ludwig Victor Georg Heinrich Sergius Prince George of Battenberg Born the 6th day of November 1892
- Albert Victor Ludwig Prince Louis of Battenberg Born the 25th day of June 1900
- That your Memorialist intends to reside permanently within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
- That your Memorialist wishes to be naturalised under the Naturalisation Act 1870 for the sake of his children who are under age.
Your Memorialist therefore humbly prays that a Certificate of Naturalization may be granted to him in pursuance of the Statute 33 Victoria Chapter 14 intituled “An Act to amend the Laws relating to the legal condition of Aliens and British Subjects”.
Louis Battenberg
9 January 1909
Naturalisation
3. Declaration verifying Memorial
I, Prince Louis of Battenberg
an Alien, do solemnly and sincerely declare:-
That the Statements made by me and contained in the Memorial now produced and shown to me, marked “A”, are respectively true in substance and in fact.
And I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of the Declarations Act, 1835.
Declared at 30 Norfolk Street Strand in the County of London
the 9th day of January 1909
Before me, Gerard Paxon, commissioner for oaths
Donington House
Norfolk Street
London, W.C.
Telephone No 12993 Central (Post Office)
21st January 1909
Sir
I beg to acknowledge the of your letter of yesterday’s date enclosing the certificate of naturalization in favor of HSH Prince Louis of Battenberg and note that the certificate together with the Oath of Allegiance have been duly registered at the Home Office.
I am, Sir,
etc.
Henry P Spottiswoode
The Under Secretary of State
Home Office S.W.1
Mr Moylan
The last “B” certificate was issued in 1892. The name was not included in the monthly list in the Gazette, but it appeared in the Annual Return, and the “country” was given as “Italy”.
AW
25/1/09
shown to Mr. Pedder who says decision may stand
Lay by
25.1.09
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