Prince John of The United Kingdom - Death

Death

After his thirteenth birthday John's seizures grew in frequency and severity; nonetheless his sudden death was unexpected. In the early hours of 18 January 1919 (the Queen told her diary):

Lalla Bill telephoned from Wood Farm, Wolferton, that our poor darling Johnnie had died suddenly after one of his attacks. The news gave me a great shock, though for the little boy's restless soul, death came as a great release. I brought the news to George & we motored down to Wood Farm. Found poor Lalla very resigned but heartbroken. Little Johnnie looked very peaceful lying there… For him it is a great release as his malady was becoming worse as he grew older and he has thus been spared much suffering. I cannot say how grateful we feel to God for having taken him in such a peaceful way, he just slept quietly… no pain, no struggle, just peace for the poor little troubled spirit, which had been a great anxiety for us for many years ever since he was four.

After Prince John's burial on 21 January 1919 at Sandringham Church (the Church of St Mary Magdalene) the Queen wrote:

Tuesday, January 21st 1919. Canon Dalton & Dr Brownhill conducted the service, which was awfully sad and touching. Many of our own people and the villagers were present. We thanked all Johnnie's servants, who have been so good and faithful to him.' Some days later she added, 'Miss the dear child very much indeed.

The Queen gave Winifred a number of John's books, with the inscription, 'In memory of our dear little Prince.'

John's life (which may have reinforced the apparent avoidance of John as a given name among British royals—see John) was the subject of the two-part television drama The Lost Prince, as well as the Channel 4 documentary Prince John: The Windsors' Tragic Secret.