Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge
Prince Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge (24 February 1774 – 8 July 1850), was the tenth-born child and seventh son of King George III of the United Kingdom and Queen Charlotte.
Early life
Prince Adolphus 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 (created Duke of Cumberland in 1799) and Prince Augustus (created Duke of Sussex in 1801).
Military career
In 1791, he and Prince Ernest went to Hanover to receive military training under the supervision of the Hannoverian commander Field Marshal von Freytag. He rose to the ranks of colonel in 1794, to lieutenant general in 1798, and field marshal in 1813. George III appointed Prince Adolphus a Knight of the Garter on 6 June 1786 and created him Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Tipperary, and Baron Culloden on 17 November 1801.
The Duke served as colonel-in-chief of the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards (Coldstream Guards after 1855) from September 1805 and as colonel-in-chief of the 60th (The Duke of York's Own Rifle Corps) Regiment of Foot from January 1824.
Marriage
After the death of Princess Charlotte in 1817, the Duke was set the task of finding a bride for his eldest unmarried brother, the Duke of Clarence (later William IV) in the hope of securing heirs to the throne--Charlotte had been the only legitimate grandchild of King George III, despite the fact that the King had twelve surviving children. After several false starts, the Duke of Cambridge settled on Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. The Duke of Clarence agreed with alacrity, and the way was cleared for the Duke of Cambridge to find a bride for himself.
The Duke of Cambridge was married first at Cassel, Hesse on 7 May and then at Buckingham Palace on 1 June 1818 to his second cousin Augusta (25 July 1797-6 April 1889), the third daughter of Friedrich III, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel.
Viceroy
From 1816 to 1837, the Duke of Cambridge served as viceroy of Hanover on behalf of his elder brothers, George IV and later William IV. When his niece, Queen Victoria succeeded to the British throne on 20 June 1837, the 123-year union of the crowns of Great Britain (the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1801) and Hanover ended. The Duke of Cumberland became King Ernest I of Hanover and the Duke of Cambridge returned to Britain.
Later life
The Duke of Cambridge died on 8 July 1850 at Cambridge House, Piccadilly, London, and was buried at Kew. His remains were later removed to St. George's Chapel, Windsor. His only son, Prince George, succeeded to his peerages.
Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
Titles
- 1774-1801: His Royal Highness The Prince Adolphus Frederick
- 1801-1850: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge
Styles
His Royal Highness Field Marshal The Prince Adolphus Frederick, KG, PC, GCB, GCMG, GCH, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Tipperary, and Baron Culloden
Honours
The King appointed the Duke to the Privy Council and conferred upon him the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB), the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order (GCH).
Issue
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had three children:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince George, Duke of Cambridge | 26 March 1819 | 17 March 1904 | married 1847, Sarah Louisa Fairbrother; had issue |
| Princess Augusta of Cambridge | 19 July 1822 | 4 December 1916 | married 1843, Friedrich Wilhelm, Grand Duke of Mecklenberg-Strelitz; had issue |
| Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge | 27 November 1833 | 27 October 1897 | married 1866, Francis, Duke of Teck; had issue |
| Preceded by: The Duke of York and Albany |
Colonel of the Coldstream Guards 1805–1850 |
Succeeded by: The Earl of Strafford |
| Preceded by: Sir Thomas Maitland |
Grand Master of the Order of St Michael and St George 1825–1850 |
Succeeded by: The Duke of Cambridge |
| Preceded by: New Creation |
Duke of Cambridge | Succeeded by: HRH Prince George |
