Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
Encyclopedia
The Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (27 January 1773 – 21 April 1843), was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom
and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.
. He was the ninth child and sixth son of George III
and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
.
He was christened in the Great Council Chamber at St. James's Palace
, on 25 February 1773, by Frederick Cornwallis
, The Archbishop of Canterbury
. His godparents were The Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (his paternal first cousin once-removed, for whom The Earl of Hertford
, Lord Chamberlain
, stood proxy), Duke George Augustus of Mecklenburg
(his maternal uncle, for whom The Earl of Bristol
, Groom of the Stole
, stood proxy) and Princess Charles of Hesse-Cassel (his first cousin once-removed, for whom The Viscountess Weymouth, Lady of the Bedchamber
to The Queen
, stood proxy).
He was tutored at home before being sent to the University of Göttingen in Germany
in summer 1786, along with his brothers Prince Ernest
and Prince Adolphus. Prince Augustus, who suffered from asthma
, did not join his brothers in receiving military training in Hanover
. He briefly considered becoming a cleric
in the Church of England
.
, he met Lady Augusta Murray
(1768–1830), the second daughter of 4th Earl of Dunmore
. The couple, secretly, married in Rome
on 4 April 1793. The King's minister of Hanover affairs Ernst zu Münster
was sent to Italy, to escort him back to London.
The couple married again without revealing their full identities at St. George's, Hanover Square, London
, on 5 December 1793. Both marriages took place without the knowledge or the consent of the King.
In August 1794, the Prerogative Court
annulled the marriage on the grounds that it contravened the Royal Marriages Act 1772
because it had not been approved by the King. Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000.
Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year. The two children were named Augustus Frederick D'Este
and Ellen Augusta Emma, Mademoiselle D'Este, both parents being descended from the royal House of Este. In 1806 their mother, Lady Augusta, was given royal licence to use the surname D'Ameland instead of Murray.
, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the peerage
of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter
on 27 November 1801. Since he died without legitimate issue, the title became extinct. In 1815 The Duke became a Patron of the Jew’s Hospital and Orphan Asylum, later to become the charity we know today as Norwood
. This Royal patronage continues to this day with Her Majesty The Queen Norwood’s current patron.
The Duke of Sussex married a second time on 2 May 1831 (again in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act) to Lady Cecilia Letitia Buggin
(1793–1873), the eldest daughter of Arthur Gore, 2nd Earl of Arran
and Elizabeth Underwood; and the widow of Sir George Buggin. Even allowing for the irregularity of these marriages, this second marriage would not have been bigamous since Lady Augusta D'Ameland (Lady Augusta Murray
) had died the year before. On the same day, Lady Cecilia assumed by Royal Licence the surname Underwood. She was never titled or recognized as the Duchess of Sussex. However, she was created Duchess of Inverness in her own right in 1840.
appointed his younger brother Chief Ranger and Keeper of St. James's
and Hyde Parks
on 29 January 1831. The Duke of Sussex was elected president of the Society of Arts
in 1816 and held that post for the rest of his life. He also held the honorary posts of Captain-General and Colonel of the Hon. Artillery Company from 1817 onward. He was president of the Royal Society
between 1830 and 1838.
The Duke of Sussex was the favourite uncle of Queen Victoria
. He gave her away at her wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The Duke of Sussex died at Kensington Palace
in 1843. In his will he specified that he was not to have a state funeral
and was accordingly buried at Kensal Green Cemetery
on 5 May 1843. The Duchess of Inverness continued to reside at Kensington Palace until her death in 1873. She was buried next to her second husband.
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.
Early life
His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus Frederick was born at Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. He was the ninth child and sixth son of George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
.
He was christened in the Great Council Chamber at St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
, on 25 February 1773, by Frederick Cornwallis
Frederick Cornwallis
Frederick Cornwallis was Archbishop of Canterbury, and the twin brother of Edward Cornwallis.Cornwallis was born in London, England, the seventh son of Charles Cornwallis, 4th Baron Cornwallis. He was educated at Eton College and graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge...
, The Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
. His godparents were The Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (his paternal first cousin once-removed, for whom The Earl of Hertford
Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford
Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford KG, PC, PC was a British courtier and politician.He was born in Chelsea, London the son of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Lord Conway and Charlotte Shorter and died in Surrey, England...
, Lord Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
, stood proxy), Duke George Augustus of Mecklenburg
Duke George Augustus of Mecklenburg
Duke George Augustus of Mecklenburg was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and a German sailor and soldier.-Early life:...
(his maternal uncle, for whom The Earl of Bristol
George Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol
George William Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol , the eldest son of John Hervey, 2nd Baron Hervey, by his marriage with Mary , daughter of Nicholas Lepell....
, Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole
Groom of the Stole in the British Royal Household is a position dating from the Stuart era but which evolved from the earlier Groom of the Stool, an office in existence until the accession of Elizabeth I. The original nomenclature derived from the chair used in the performance of the function...
, stood proxy) and Princess Charles of Hesse-Cassel (his first cousin once-removed, for whom The Viscountess Weymouth, Lady of the Bedchamber
Lady of the Bedchamber
This is an incomplete list of those who have served as Lady of the Bedchamber in the British Royal Household...
to The Queen
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
, stood proxy).
He was tutored at home before being sent to the University of Göttingen in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in summer 1786, along with his brothers Prince Ernest
Ernest Augustus I of Hanover
Ernest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
and Prince Adolphus. Prince Augustus, who suffered from asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, did not join his brothers in receiving military training in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. He briefly considered becoming a cleric
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
First marriage
While travelling in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, he met Lady Augusta Murray
Lady Augusta Murray
The Lady Augusta Murray was the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled as the Duchess of Sussex.-Early life:Lady...
(1768–1830), the second daughter of 4th Earl of Dunmore
Earl of Dunmore
Earl of Dunmore is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1686 for Lord Charles Murray, second son of John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl. He was made Lord Murray of Blair, Moulin and Tillimet and Viscount of Fincastle at the same time, also in the Peerage of Scotland. He was...
. The couple, secretly, married in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
on 4 April 1793. The King's minister of Hanover affairs Ernst zu Münster
Ernst zu Münster
Count Ernst Friedrich Herbert zu Münster was a German statesman, politician and minister in the service of the House of Hanover....
was sent to Italy, to escort him back to London.
The couple married again without revealing their full identities at St. George's, Hanover Square, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, on 5 December 1793. Both marriages took place without the knowledge or the consent of the King.
In August 1794, the Prerogative Court
Prerogative court
A prerogative court is a court through which the discretionary powers, privileges, and legal immunities reserved to the sovereign were exercised. In England in the 17th century a clash developed between these courts, representing the crown's authority, and common law courts. Prerogative courts...
annulled the marriage on the grounds that it contravened the Royal Marriages Act 1772
Royal Marriages Act 1772
The Royal Marriages Act 1772 is an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain which prescribes the conditions under which members of the British Royal Family may contract a valid marriage, in order to guard against marriages that could diminish the status of the Royal House...
because it had not been approved by the King. Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000.
Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year. The two children were named Augustus Frederick D'Este
Augustus d'Este
Sir Augustus Frederick d'Este KCB KCH was the son of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and Lady Augusta Murray and the grandson of George III...
and Ellen Augusta Emma, Mademoiselle D'Este, both parents being descended from the royal House of Este. In 1806 their mother, Lady Augusta, was given royal licence to use the surname D'Ameland instead of Murray.
Peerage
The King created him Duke of SussexDuke of Sussex
Duke of Sussex was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was conferred on 27 November 1801 upon The Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of George III, who was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow, all in the Peerage of the United Kingdom...
, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the peerage
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
on 27 November 1801. Since he died without legitimate issue, the title became extinct. In 1815 The Duke became a Patron of the Jew’s Hospital and Orphan Asylum, later to become the charity we know today as Norwood
Norwood (charity)
Norwood is a UK charity established in 1785 in the East End of London.In 1996, it merged with Ravenswood, a Berkshire-based charity for people with learning disabilities, to create one of the largest welfare organisations within the Jewish community....
. This Royal patronage continues to this day with Her Majesty The Queen Norwood’s current patron.
Second marriage
Cecilia Underwood, Duchess of Inverness
Cecilia Underwood, 1st Duchess of Inverness was the second wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, sixth son of King George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled either as the Duchess of...
(1793–1873), the eldest daughter of Arthur Gore, 2nd Earl of Arran
Earl of Arran
Earl of Arran is a title in both the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland. The two titles refer to different places, the Isle of Arran in Scotland, and the Aran Islands in Ireland...
and Elizabeth Underwood; and the widow of Sir George Buggin. Even allowing for the irregularity of these marriages, this second marriage would not have been bigamous since Lady Augusta D'Ameland (Lady Augusta Murray
Lady Augusta Murray
The Lady Augusta Murray was the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled as the Duchess of Sussex.-Early life:Lady...
) had died the year before. On the same day, Lady Cecilia assumed by Royal Licence the surname Underwood. She was never titled or recognized as the Duchess of Sussex. However, she was created Duchess of Inverness in her own right in 1840.
Later life
William IVWilliam IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
appointed his younger brother Chief Ranger and Keeper of St. James's
St. James's Park
St. James's Park is a 23 hectare park in the City of Westminster, central London - the oldest of the Royal Parks of London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St. James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St. James the Less.- Geographical location :St. James's...
and Hyde Parks
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
on 29 January 1831. The Duke of Sussex was elected president of the Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
in 1816 and held that post for the rest of his life. He also held the honorary posts of Captain-General and Colonel of the Hon. Artillery Company from 1817 onward. He was president of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
between 1830 and 1838.
The Duke of Sussex was the favourite uncle of Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
. He gave her away at her wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The Duke of Sussex died at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
in 1843. In his will he specified that he was not to have a state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
and was accordingly buried at Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, in the west of London, England. It was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem The Rolling English Road from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of...
on 5 May 1843. The Duchess of Inverness continued to reside at Kensington Palace until her death in 1873. She was buried next to her second husband.
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
- 27 January 1773–27 November 1801: His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus Frederick
- 27 November 1801–21 April 1843: His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex
Honours
- Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of EnglandPremier Grand Lodge of EnglandThe Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded on 24 June 1717 as the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster and it existed until 1813 when it united with the Ancient Grand Lodge of England to create the United Grand Lodge of England. It was the first Masonic Grand Lodge to be created...
, 1813 - Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of EnglandUnited Grand Lodge of EnglandThe United Grand Lodge of England is the main governing body of freemasonry within England and Wales and in other, predominantly ex-British Empire and Commonwealth countries outside the United Kingdom. It is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world, deriving its origin from 1717...
, 1813-1843 - Knight of the Order of the ThistleOrder of the ThistleThe Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry associated with Scotland. The current version of the Order was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland who asserted that he was reviving an earlier Order...
- Knight of the Order of the GarterOrder of the GarterThe Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
, 1786
Arms
As a son of the sovereign, the Duke of Sussex had use of the arms of the kingdom, differenced by a label argent of three points, the centre point bearing a two hearts gules, the outer points each bearing a cross gules.Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Lady Augusta Murray Lady Augusta Murray The Lady Augusta Murray was the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled as the Duchess of Sussex.-Early life:Lady... (married 4 April 1793; annulled) |
|||
| Augustus Frederick d'Este Augustus d'Este Sir Augustus Frederick d'Este KCB KCH was the son of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and Lady Augusta Murray and the grandson of George III... |
1794 | 1848 | |
| Augusta Emma d'Este | 1801 | 1866 | married Thomas Wilde, 1st Baron Truro; no issue. |
| By Lady Cecilia Letitia Buggin Cecilia Underwood, Duchess of Inverness Cecilia Underwood, 1st Duchess of Inverness was the second wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, sixth son of King George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled either as the Duchess of... (married 2 May 1831) |
|||
| no issue | |||