Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom
The Princess Sophia (Sophia Matilda) (3 November 1777 - 27 May 1848) was a member of the British Royal Family, the twelfth child and fifth daughter of King George III.
Birth
The Princess Sophia was born at Buckingham Palace, London. Her father was the reigning British monarch, King George III, the eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Her mother was Queen Charlotte (née Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz).
Life
Like most of her other sisters, Princess Sophia was forced to live her life as a companion of her mother, Queen Charlotte. The Princesses were not allowed to mix with anyone outside the Royal Court.
Later life
After having been blind for over ten years, Princess Sophia died on May 27, 1848 at Vicarage Place, Kensington in London. She was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in London rather than at Windsor Castle, as she wished to be near her brother, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex.
Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
Titles
- 1777-1848: Her Royal Highness The Princess Sophia
Issue
Princess Sophia is believed to have given to birth to an illegitimate son, Thomas Garth, probably fathered by General Thomas Garth, one of the King's Equerries. General Garth's niece, Frances, was a former royal governess. It is believed that the Princess was deeply in love with the general, despite the fact he was both disfigured and significantly older than she. At the time, it was thought by some that the baby's father was actually Sophia's brother, the Duke of Cumberland, later Ernest Augustus I of Hanover.
The Princess is believed to have given birth to Thomas Garth in Weymouth on 5 August 1800. The birth was covered up by the Royal Court, and Thomas Garth was raised by his father and had no contact with Sophia. The birth was also kept secret from King George III.
For more information
- Fraser, Flora. Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III. 2004. London: John Murray, 2005. ISBN 0719561094
