No wonder Alberta is a forward-looking, progressive province. It was named after a woman who had those qualities in spades. Born in 1848, she rejected many of the common conventions of her time and her social class. She was an early feminist, defying status quo thinking which denied women the right to vote. She so vociferously defended her positions that she was regarded by many as prickly and difficult. What better woman to lend her name to the “energy province” of Canada? What better spirit to inspire Alberta’s inhabitants in their own quests for fulfillment?

Alberta lived a difficult life, punctuated by episodes of extreme belligerence and deep sorrow. She never knuckled under, however, and held firmly to her own opinions throughout her long life. She was a sixth child. Three more siblings arrived after her birth, and perhaps as a middle child she learned early in life that she had to speak up to ensure that she got her needs met. She was Princess Louise Caroline Alberta of Britain. Her mother was the formidable Victoria. That can’t have been easy!

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Duchess of Argyll After Whom the Province of Alberta is Named, Image in Public Domain

Princess Louise’s early life was protected and regimented in what was probably fairly stifling to the person of creativity that she undoubtedly was. And when her father, Albert, died in 1861, Louise was further restricted as her mother entered a prolonged state of mourning, shutting down court activities and social appointments for almost ten years. Louise chafed openly at the new, then ongoing restrictions. She earned much disapproval and enmity from her family by openly demanding an end to the enforced mourning at that time. She simply refused to conform.

This became a pattern for her life. She questioned every aspect of the social system which kept women of her era obedient, fruitful and quiet. When Princess Louise Caroline Alberta reached marriageable age, predictably, sparks flew. Rumours started to circulate in London about her suspected romantic dalliances. She declared that she would never consent to marry a Royal Prince. She intended to make her own love match. Her siblings weighed in with their suggestions as to her choice of a mate. Surprisingly, when Princess Louise Caroline Alberta did choose a husband, Queen Victoria accepted her choice more willingly than her siblings did, especially her brother, the Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria wanted to see some fresh blood in the royal line, and Louise married the commoner of her choice in 1871. Her husband was John, Marquess of Lorne and later Duke of Argyll. Unfortunately, both Victoria and Louise were to be disappointed in this marriage.

After a brief period of happiness, it was clear that the marriage was in trouble. Louise and John lived separately much of the time, amid rumours that he was either gay or bisexual. Louise had no children, and whether that was intentional or not, it was undoubtedly a troubled area in their marriage. There was lots of gossip about Louise’s suspected affairs too. In the few years before John’s death they became close once more, leaving Louise sorrowful after his death. All in all they both suffered by their contemporaries’ barely masked disapproval of their marital conduct. It is a tribute to their personal strength that they salvaged anything from their troubled union. That took persistence. Their reconciliation was only possible because both partners were capable of taking action on their true feelings, regardless of the opinions of others.

Louise Caroline Alberta’s connection with Canada started long before 1905 when Canada’s newest territory – the province of Alberta – was named after her. Louise’s husband was appointed Governor General of Canada in 1878 and Louise accompanied him to the Dominion at that time. Their arrival was plagued by resentment of the intrusion of the monarchy into this young country. Many hardworking settlers had left Britain to escape that country’s rigid class system. They were committed to democracy and angrily voiced their disgruntlement at the arrival of royal visitors.

There was a public relations nightmare on the train that was carrying the couple to their new quarters. One of the Princess’ aides threw some reporters off the train when they became unruly. Although Louise was unaware of the incident until later, many Canadians thought that she had ordered the removal of the men. They saw this as a haughty action, something that would pass without comment in England, but not here!

Louise’s adjustment to life in Ottawa was a difficult one. Not only was the weather so extreme compared with that in London, but the Governor General’s living quarters were rough compared with the palaces that Louise had been used to. She also felt strong pangs of homesickness. But she set her mind on making efforts to adjust. A keen proponent of physical fitness, Louise took up skating. She enjoyed sleigh-riding until she had a bad accident in February of 1880. She was knocked unconscious, and suffered a serious concussion. She tried to downplay the seriousness of her condition, giving rise to rumours that she was not hurt at all. When she minimized her injuries then cancelled social appointments, Canadians thought she was faking. Nothing came easily to Louise.

Quite possibly the only thing that kept Princess Louise Caroline Alberta sane throughout life was her ability to get lost in her creative activities. A painter, a sculptress and an actress, she was recognized for her creative gifts. But even in this area there were criticisms and rumours about her abilities. Some whispered that her final sculpture, completed in London after her husband’s death, was actually the work of her sculpture teacher.

She left many artworks in England and some in Canada’s Rideau Hall which are recognised today as being creations of great beauty and power.

Yes, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta was a suitably powerful and contraversial figure to lend her name to Canada’s dynamo Province. She battled on, in the difficult role that she inherited at birth. And Albertans can think of her when they need determination to withstand Alberta’s challenges.

Go Alberta!