Sarah Louisa Fairbrother
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarah Louisa Fairbrother (1816 - January 12, 1890) was the wife of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, a male line grandson of King George III. As the couple married in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the marriage was legally void.
[edit] Early life
Sarah Louisa Fairbrother was born in 1816 in Bow Street, London. Her parents were John Robert Fairbrother and Roberta Freeman.
Her father was a partner in a family printing firm in Bow Street. Sarah became an actress in 1830, performing at Drury Lane, the Lyceum, and Covent Garden Theatre.{{fact]]
[edit] Marriage
On January 8, 1847, she married Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, the son of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel. Under the Royal Marriages Act 1772, Prince George was required to seek the permission of the British monarch (at that time his cousin, Queen Victoria) to marry, else the marriage would be legally void and any descendants would be illegitimate. However the Prince failed to seek the necessary permission, mainly because he was against the arranged marriages that his royal relatives engaged in, and the fact that he already had two illegitimate children by Sarah.
Their wedding ceremony took place in private at St. John's Church, Clerkenwell, London.
[edit] Mrs FitzGeorge
As the marriage was not legal, Sarah could not take on the title of Duchess of Cambridge or the style Her Royal Highness. Instead she was known as Mrs FitzGeorge.
Together the couple had three children:
- Colonel George FitzGeorge (24 August 1843-2 September 1907); married Rosa Baring (9 March 1854-10 March 1927), daughter of William Baring of Norman Court, Hants., by Elizabeth Hammersley.
- Rear Admiral Sir Adolphus FitzGeorge, KCVO (30 January 1846-17 December 1922); married (1) Sofia Holden (1857-3 February 1920), daughter of Thomas Holden of Winestead Hall, Hull; and had issue; (2) Margaret Watson (1863-26 February 1834), daughter of John Watson; no issue.
- Colonel Sir Augustus FitzGeorge, KCVO, CB (12 June 1847-30 October 1933).
Mrs FitzGeorge died on 12 January 1890. She is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
