By William “Skip” Deegans
The Greenbrier has the unique history of having hosted two young and single British princes who, at least in the eyes of many American women, were eligible bachelors.
The first visit was in 1860 when 19-year-old Albert Edward VII Prince of Wales came to the Old White. A great ball was given in his honor, and it was reported, “…he met some of the South’s most charming daughters and danced with them.” During his tour of the United States he was guarded by the United States Calvary. While he was in Richmond, the Calvary had to surround his hotel. One of his guards said, “Though the southern girls were supposed to be more restrained than the northern girls of that time, it was the belles the south that made the strongest play for Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.” The prince returned to England and married the Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863. Upon the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, Albert became King of England. His reign was short as he died in 1910.
In 1919, Albert Edward VIII visited Canada and the United States when he was 25. 
Exhausted from many official receptions and entertainment, he retreated to The Greenbrier which was 59 years after his grandfather’s visit. The West Virginia News reported that the prince, “ …spent the first of his three days of rest here by walking ten miles, spending an hour in the swimming pool, golfing for three hours and dancing for three more.” Among the many debutantes who flocked to White Sulphur Springs was Millicent Rogers, heir to the Standard Oil fortune. A jazz band was brought to the hotel from New York, and Ms. Rogers was reported to have taught the prince how dance the “jazz.” The prince danced right up until the time his train departed.
Albert Edward VIII became King of England in 1936. His reign was even shorter than his grandfather as he abdicated that same year in order to marry the twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson. He was given the title of Duke of Windsor, and would later return to The Greenbrier with his bride, The Duchess of Windsor.
Photos courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery (London) and Wikimedia.
Sources: The West Virginia News, The Wheeling Intelligencer, Charleston Daily Mail, St. Louis Globe-Democrat.