Lady Augusta Murray

The Lady Augusta Murray (27 January 1768–5 March 1830) was the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, the 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 as the Duchess of Sussex.

Early life

Lady Augusta was born in London. Her father was John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore and her mother was Lady Charlotte Stewart daugther of the Alexander Stewart, 6th Earl of Galloway. She was styled Lady Augusta Murray at birth, the courtesy title of a daughter of an Earl.

Marriage

Lady Augusta married The Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of King George III on 4 April 1793 in Hotel Sarmiento, Rome, Italy. They were later remarried in a religious ceremony on 5 December 1793 in St. George's Church, Hanover Square, London. The marriage ceremonies were in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772. As such Lady Augusta could not take the style of Princess of Great Britain or Her Royal Highness.

Together the couple had two children:

• Augustus Frederick d'Este (1794-1848)
• Augusta Ema d'Este, later Lady Turo (1801-1866)

Despite the annulment, Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000. The King created Prince Augustus Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter on November 27, 1801.

Later life

After 1801, the couple went their separate ways. The Duke of Sussex later married Lady Cecilia Underwood, and lived at Kensington Palace. Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year.