# Maud of Wales

> British princess (1869-1938), Queen consort of Norway from 1905 to 1938

**Wikidata**: [Q154423](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q154423)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_of_Wales)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maud-of-wales

## Summary
Maud of Wales (1869-1938) was a British princess and Queen consort of Norway from 1905 until her death in 1938, serving as the wife of King Haakon VII and playing a significant role in Norwegian royal history.

## Biography
- Born: November 26, 1869
- Nationality: British (citizenship: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Norway)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Serving as Queen consort of Norway from 1905 to 1938
- Employer(s): Queen consort of Norway (1905-1938)
- Field(s): Royal consort

## Contributions
No specific contributions like publications, patents, or projects are mentioned in the source material.

## FAQs
### What was Maud of Wales's primary role?
She served as the Queen consort of Norway from 1905 until her death in 1938, as the wife of King Haakon VII.

### When did she become Queen consort?
Maud became Queen consort of Norway on October 26, 1905, following the dissolution of the union with Sweden.

### What was her relationship to the British royal family?
She was a member of the British royal family, specifically a princess of Wales, and was a descendant of Queen Victoria.

### What honors did she receive?
She received several decorations including the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross and the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII.

## Why They Matter
Maud of Wales played a crucial role in Norwegian history as the first queen consort of the modern Norwegian monarchy after the country regained independence from Sweden in 1905. Her position as royal consort helped establish the British-Norwegian royal connection and contributed to the development of Norway's constitutional monarchy. Without her, the early years of the modern Norwegian monarchy might have had different dynamics, particularly regarding the relationship between the British and Norwegian royal families.

## Notable For
- Received the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross for contributions to health services
- Was awarded the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII as a mark of personal esteem
- Served as the first queen consort of the modern Norwegian monarchy from 1905 to 1938
- Held the title of British princess and was a member of the British royal family
- Had the royal monogram and coat of arms specific to her position

## Body
### Early Life and Family
Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria was born on November 26, 1869, as a member of the British royal family. She was the daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. Through her lineage, she was a descendant of Queen Victoria and held the title of Princess of Wales.

### Marriage and Royal Role
Maud married Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on October 22, 1896. The couple had one child, Princess Ragnhild of Norway, who was born in 1904. When her husband ascended to the Norwegian throne as King Haakon VII on November 26, 1905, Maud became the Queen consort of Norway. She served in this position until her death on November 20, 1938.

### Royal Duties and Legacy
As queen consort, Maud played an important role in Norwegian royal life, participating in state ceremonies and representing the monarchy at various events. She was known for her involvement in charitable activities and her support for the Norwegian people during challenging times, including World War I and World War II. Her reign as queen consort spanned 33 years, making her one of the longest-serving consorts in Norwegian history.

### Decorations and Honors
Throughout her life, Maud received several honors and decorations. She was awarded the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross for her contributions to health services, and she received the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII as a mark of personal esteem from the British monarchy.

### Death and Burial
Maud died on November 20, 1938, at the age of 68. She was buried at the Royal Mausoleum in Akershus Fortress in Norway, alongside her husband King Haakon VII. Her death marked the end of an era in Norwegian royal history and was mourned by the Norwegian people.

### Cultural Impact
Maud's legacy extends beyond her royal duties. She became an important figure in Norwegian culture and history, symbolizing the connection between Norway and the British royal family. Her image appears in various forms, including photographs, official portraits, and commemorative items. The ship SS Dronning Maud, which was sunk during World War II, was named in her honor, reflecting her significance to Norwegian society.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.oxforddnb.com/templates/article.jsp?articleid=34943&back=&version=2004-09)
2. [Source](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3630918)
3. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3746596.stm)
4. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/opinion/04iht-olddec4.html)
5. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
6. Find a Grave
7. The Peerage
8. Genealogics
9. A historical dictionary of British women
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. IdRef
12. Sejm-Wielki.pl