Prince John with mother and four brothers.
John was kept from attending his father's coronation in 1911 due to the effects of his first epileptic seizure a the age of four. As his health continued to deteriorate, John was moved to the countryside and, at the age of twelve, given his own household, Wood Farm at Sandringham Estate. Though he was largely kept from the public eye, John was visited often by family and enjoyed a relatively idyllic childhood. His activities included reading, horseback riding, gardening, playing with companion Winifred Thomas, and riding around in a pedal car and toy train.
Prince John at Wood Farm.
Sadly, in 1919, John died after becoming unconscious due to a violent seizure. An entry in Queen Mary's diary reads:
"Lalla Bill [the nanny] 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."
Prince John with Queen Mary.
Much of John's life and character remains a mystery, but it is safe to say that he was a kind, gentle, and sweet-hearted little prince loved by all who came into contact with him. Though his life was short, his memory survives, as illustrated by the 2003 film The Lost Prince and the documentary Prince John: The Windsors' Tragic Secret.
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