He was idolised by Priscilla Scott-Ellis who was not deterred by his mother who hinted that he was not interested. He would later reveal his homosexuality.[3]
When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Prince Ataúlfo volunteered in the Condor Legion, the German volunteer unit that was sent by Hitler to repel Communism in Spain.[4] Only he and two of his cousins, Luis Alfonso and José Eugenio of Bavaria (Prince Fernando of Bavaria's sons) represented the Spanish royal family in Francoist official acts, due to the pro-democratic views held by most of the royal family. He was followed to Spain by Priscilla Scott-Ellis who volunteered as a nurse mainly to be near him. In time she married another Spanish aristocrat.[3]
^[3] Real decreto concediendo la Gran Cruz de la Real y Distinguida Orden de Carlos III al Serenísimo Señor Príncipe Don Ataulfo de Orleans y Sajonia-Coburgo-Gotha