Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex
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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (27 January 1773 – 21 April 1843), was the sixth son of King George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Queen Charlotte. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.
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[edit] Early life
His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus Frederick, KG, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow was born at Buckingham Palace. 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.
[edit] First Marriage
While travelling in Italy, he met Lady Augusta Murray (c. 1762-1830), the second daughter of 4th Earl of Dunmore. The couple married in Rome on 4 April 1793, and again at St. George's, Hanover Square, London on 5 December 1793, without the knowledge or the consent of the King. The later minister of Hanover affairs Ernst zu Münster was sent to Italy, to escort him back to London.
In August 1794, the Prerogative Court annulled the marriage on the grounds that it contravened the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 because it had not been approved by the King and Privy Council. Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000. The King created him Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the peerage of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter on 27 November 1801. Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year.
[edit] Second Marriage
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. 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.
[edit] Later life
King William IV appointed his younger brother Chief Ranger and Keeper of St. James 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 favorite 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 was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. The Duchess of Inverness continued to reside at Kensington Palace until her death in 1873. She was buried next to her second husband.
[edit] Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
[edit] Titles
- 1773-1801: His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus
- 1801-1843: His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex
[edit] Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By Lady Augusta Murray (married April 4, 1793; annulled) | |||
| Augustus Frederick d'Este | 1794 | 1848 | |
| Augusta Ema d'Este | 1801 | 1866 | married, Lord Truro |
| By Lady Cecilia Letitia Buggin (married May 2, 1831) | |||
| no issue | |||
| Honorary Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New Creation |
Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England 1813–1843 |
Succeeded by The Earl of Zetland |
| Preceded by Vacant |
Great Master of the Order of the Bath 1837–1843 |
Succeeded by HRH The Prince Consort |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by New Creation |
Duke of Sussex 1801–1843 |
Succeeded by Extinct |
Categories: Dukes of Sussex | English and British princes | House of Hanover | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath | Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order | Knights of the Garter | Knights of the Thistle | Presidents of the Royal Society | Royal Fellows of the Royal Society | People from London | 1773 births | 1843 deaths
