Key Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edward Schencker Scheener |
| Birth | November 24, 1789, Geneva, Switzerland |
| Parents | Prince Edward, Duke of Kent; Anne Moré |
| Career | Clerk, British Foreign Office (1809–1826) |
| Marriage | Harriet Boyn (m. 1826; d. 1852) |
| Children | None |
| Death | 1853, Geneva, Switzerland |
Early Life
The royal parentage of Edward Schencker Scheener was concealed at birth. The illegitimate son of Prince Edward and Anne Gabrielle Alexandrine Moré, he was raised in Geneva as Thimothée Schencker. He was raised in Switzerland with the promise of fatherly assistance.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Thimothée Schencker |
| Raised By | Thimothée Schencker (guardian) |
| Education | Private tutors in Geneva |
| Royal Connection | Son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent |
Career
Scheener joined the British Foreign Office at 20 under his father’s influence. He handled diplomatic letters and administrative tasks as a clerk. Retirement with a pension provided his financial independence after 17 years of employment.
| Position | Clerk, Foreign Office |
|---|---|
| Appointment Year | 1809 |
| Retirement Year | 1826 |
| Pension | Awarded upon retirement |
| Responsibilities | Diplomatic correspondence, records |
Personal Life
Soon after retiring from public office, Scheener married Harriet Boyn in 1826. Without children, the couple lived in exile from England. The return to Geneva after Queen Victoria’s accession shows their preference for prudence over grandeur.
| Spouse | Harriet Boyn |
|---|---|
| Marriage Year | 1826 |
| Spouse’s Birth | 1781 |
| Spouse’s Death | 1852 |
| Children | None |
Connection to Queen Victoria
Scheener avoided court life despite being Queen Victoria’s half-brother. His Geneva residency and illegitimacy prevented recorded interactions. After 1837, he returns to accept his family’s rise without changing his low-profile existence.
| Half-Sibling | Queen Victoria |
|---|---|
| Relation | Half brother |
| Queen’s Reign | 1837–1901 |
| Recorded Meetings | None |
| Impact on Status | No formal recognition at court |
Legacy
Scheener illuminated 19th-century royal illegitimacy through his life. He shows how non-dynastic offspring were provided and anonymous. He is mostly remembered in genealogical registers, demonstrating his scientific interest.
| Historical Role | Illegitimate royal offspring |
|---|---|
| Main Interest | Genealogical and historical research |
| Public Recognition | Minimal |
| Archival Records | Civil service rolls, church registers |
FAQ
Who was Edward Schencker Scheener?
He was Prince Edward, Duke of Kent’s illegitimate son and a British Foreign Office clerk.
Why was he raised in Geneva?
Geneva provided privacy and high-quality education without British court oversight.
Did he have any children?
He and Harriet Boyn had no children.
What position did he hold in England?
He retired as a Foreign Office clerk in 1826 after working there since 1809.
Do Scheener descendants survive?
His line ended because he had no children.
