Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld

[Prince Leopold]

| ~ • ~ | Character Basics | ~ • ~ |

.:Name:. Prince Leopold Georg Christian Frederick of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld

.:Nick Name:. Leo

.:Rank:. Royalty

.:Age:. Twenty-Three Years Old in 1813

| ~ • ~ | Appearance | ~ • ~ |

.:Physical Appearance:.

.:Height:. 6’4”

.:Portrayed by:. Thomas Doherty

| ~ • ~ | Personality | ~ • ~ |

.:Personality:. Having seen the horrors of war from the front lines, one might expect Leopold to wear the tragedy as a second skin, visage haunted and figure bearing the weight of all those lost on the battlefield. Certainly, he holds that darkness with him, but one would be hard-pressed to find him expressing it within the public eye. Leopold may be a prince, but he is a prince that is a fourth son. Early on, Leopold developed a quick wit and leaned heavily on his natural charm. At first glance, he is a man who takes little seriously, but even only a moment’s attention will reveal a man who cares deeply — for his family, for his friends, for knowledge, for his military command, for his title — but chooses to face the world with the smile of a rakehell and the humor of one, too. He is an advocate for the people — often supporting more liberal policies and politics — and supports pragmatic non-violence.

.:Skills:. People are more willing to follow a person they like and respect, are they not? Leopold certainly believes so, and judging by his quick rise through the military ranks and his successes against Napoleon, his theory on leadership is a solid one. Leopold is a charming, compelling man, but as much as a skill as that is on its own, he also has a distinct ability to be stern and decisive without sowing resent and discontent among his audience, whether that be the ton, his soldiers, or the Prince Regent himself.



Trained from an early age for military service, Leopold is an expert marksman and swordsman. Somewhere along the way, Leo discovered his affinity for machinery, having a keen interest in taking things apart and discovering how they work and finding equal joy in successfully putting them back together. From a wagon wheel to the latest model rifle, he will often have something or other torn apart in his residence, oft in various stages of the rebuilding process.



Plus, he’s damned handsome. Ladies love a war hero who fills out a pair of knee breeches.

.:Weaknesses:. Leopold’s main weakness comes in the form of intensity. For all that he appears to exist with a perpetual lackadaisical affect and a languid ease, Leo will not relent when it comes to something he believes is the right course of action, whether it is in reality or not (i.e., marrying Princess Charlotte despite her heart being set on another prince). While this has undoubtedly resulted in a number of positive outcomes, those outcomes are made less satisfying when his relationships are affected. While this personality trait may have served him well on the battlefield, there is potential for it to be his downfall off it.



Also, again… He’s a FOURTH SON. Royal or not, boy is broke.



…Catholic.

| ~ • ~ | History | ~ • ~ |

.:Birthplace:. Ehrenburg Palace in the duchy of Coburg, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld in the Holy Roman Empire



.:Family:.

PARENTS

François, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — deceased at 56 years-old in 1806

Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf — alive at 56 years-old in 1813



SIBLINGS

Princess Sophie Fredericka Caroline Luise of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — sister, alive at 35 years-old in 1813

Princess Antoinette Ernestine Amalie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — sister, alive at 34 years-old in 1813

HIH Grand Duchess Anna Feodorovna of Russia, born Princess Juliane Henriette Ulrike — sister, alive at 32 years-old in 1813

Unnamed Stillborn Boy — deceased in 1782

Ernest I Anton Karl Ludwig, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — brother, alive at 29 years-old in 1813

Prince Ferdinand Georg August of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — brother, alive at 28 years-old in 1813

Princess Marie Luise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld — sister, alive at 27 years-old in 1813

Marianne Charlotte — deceased at 6 years-old in 1794

Franz Maximilian Ludwig — deceased at 22 days-old in 1793





.:Occupation:. Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Lieutenant General of the Imperial Guard in the Imperial Russian Army, cuirassier division

.:History:. Born as the eighth child of ten (and the fourth son), there was a strange duality in young Leopold’s life. He was not born a prince; he didn’t actually gain that title until his eldest brother made some crafty land trades once he took on the ducal role.



A fourth son of a duke holds power in society, to be sure, and there were of course luxuries that came along with being a duke’s son. Leo had a world-class education and was trained from an early age in all the manly pursuits worthy of the Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld house. He wanted for nothing, even love. His siblings, especially his sisters, are his world, and there is nothing he would not do to see them safe and happy. While his father was a stoic figure, there was at least enough affection in the household to result in ten children as fruit of his parents’ marriage. He was doted on by his older sisters, often playing the part of their living doll to tote around and dress up, to pour tea for and crown with flower braids. He was the mischievous cherub who was too cute and too smart for his own good, getting out of trouble with the flash of a dimple.



Being the youngest of the living siblings and the youngest son meant that he had little in the way of real responsibility. Ernest was the one who had a mantle to take up, not him. Leopold realized early on that his personality and gifts would lead only to vice and blackguard behavior if those attributes were not channeled to a purpose. At the age of six, Leo was given the honorary rank of colonel in the Imperial Guard of the Imperial Russian Army. At the age of twelve, he was promoted to major general. He did nothing to earn these titles, given to him as one might give a child a doll to play with, but as he grew older, he saw an opportunity. He saw his purpose and his chance to be a part of something bigger than himself. He also saw his reality: known as a duke’s son but in possession of little wealth or land of his own.



When his home duchy was invaded by Napoleon’s forces, Leopold went to Napoleon’s Court in Paris. There, Napoleon offered him the position of being his confidential assistant, an aide de camp. Napoleon received a swift refusal, and Leo left Paris for the Russian calvary. He threw himself into his military career, earning his reputation and rank as he fought in the raging war against Napoleon; Leopold did not want to be given anything. When he achieved the rank of lieutenant general, he would know that it was due only to himself.



Now, Leopold has a new battle in his sights, one potentially more unrelenting than Napoleon himself: Princess Charlotte. No fear, the hardest fought battles reap the sweetest spoils. He will marry her; it is a truth he has known since he first laid eyes on her. He’s convinced the Prince Regent, now he merely needs to convince her.

| ~ • ~ | Member Info | ~ • ~ |

.:Name or Online Alias:. Ash

.:Your Pronouns:. She/Her

.:Are you 18+:. Yes

.:How Did You Find Us:. Lovely Tina

[The Writer]