Alexei Nikolaevich, tsesarevich (heir apparent) to Russia, suffered from hemophilia, a medical condition where blood does not clot properly leading to an inability to stop bleeding when injured. Like Prince Dolor, Alexei was the sole heir to the Russia, although Alexei was not removed from the royal succession line due to his disability nor was he isolated from the public eye, but was instead sheltered from anything that could lead to him being hurt. His parents kept him under extremely careful watch to keep him from being injured, but the prince was apparently quite unhappy with his...
This painting is a satirical depiction of King George IV, ruler of the United Kingdom from 1820 until his death in 1830. In his life, he developed a condition called Dropsy, or Edema, causing him to suffer from swelling in his legs and abdomen due to fluid retention. He also was severely obese which contributed to his gout, an inflamatory condition affecting his joints, leaving him frequently unable to walk. This is shown on his left foot in this image as his foot is wrapped to keep the foot warm, as cold weather could worsen the gout symptoms. King George IV is represneted in this gallery...
At the end of the story, the Prince, now King Dolor, hands his Kingdom off to the Prince Regent.
"'Yes, I must go. It is time for me to go. Remember me sometimes, my people, for I have loved you well. And I am going a long way, and I do not think I shall come back any more." He drew a little bundle out of his breast pocket—a bundle that nobody had ever seen before" (Mulock).
King Dolor takes out his travelling cloak after many years and again floats in the air, just as he did many years ago.
This picture captures Prince Leopold (later Duke of Albany) at the age of 10.
Starting with Queen Victoria, the British royal bloodline was inflicted with hereditary hemophilia. Prince Leopold was the only son of Queen Victoria to inherit hemophilia; he died at just 30 years of age, during a vacation to Cannes which was done for his joint issues that were themselves borne from his condition. In all the pictures of Prince Leopold, it is apparent that Leopold was very dependent on mobility aids. When standing, Leopold is always holding either his cane or nearby furniture; otherwise,...
