Prince Alexander of Teck was born at Kensington Palace on 14 April 1874, the fourth child and third son of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, and Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. Although his mother was a granddaughter of King George III and first cousin to Queen Victoria, Athlone, as the son of a prince of Teck in Württemberg, was styled from birth as "His Serene Highness" and held the title "Prince Alexander of Teck". He was known, however, to his family and friends as "Alge", derived from the first two letters of "Alexander" and "George", and was characterised as a meticulous individual with a quick, but short-lived, temper and an ability to be cautious and tactful.