Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (November 14, 1743 - August 25, 1805) was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of King George II.
Early life
Prince William Henry was born at Leicester House, London. His father was The Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King George II and Caroline of Ansbach. His mother was The Princess of Wales (nèe Augusta of Saxe-Gotha). He was christened at Leicester House on 25 November 1743. His godparents were William IV, Prince of Orange, The Duke of Cumberland, and Princess Amelia Sophia of Great Britain. As a grandchild of the sovereign, he was styled His Royal Highness Prince William Henry of Wales at birth. He was fourth in the line of succession at birth.
Prince William Henry later joined the Army. His father died in 1751, leaving the Prince's elder brother, Prince George the heir apparent to the throne. He succeeded as King George III on October 25, 1760. His brother created him Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh and Earl of Connaught in 1764.
Marriage
The Duke was most known for his secret marriage 1766 to Maria Walpole, the Dowager Countess of Waldegrave, an illegitimate granddaughter of Sir Robert Walpole. This marriage and that of his brother prompted the passing of the Royal Marriages Act.
Later life
The Duke was appointed (in an honorary fashion) to colonel of the 13th Regiment of Foot, 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, and 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, and he became a field marshal on October 12, 1793. He died at Gloucester House in London.
Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
Titles
- 1743-1764: His Royal Highness Prince William Henry of Wales
- 1764-1805: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Issue
Gloucester had three children by his wife - a daughter, Caroline (1774-1775), died in infancy - the other two survived infancy:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Sophia of Gloucester | 29 May 1773 | 29 November 1844 | |
| Prince William Frederick of Gloucester | 15 January 1776 | 30 November 1834 | married 1816, his first cousin The Princess Mary; no issue |
Illegitimate Issue
The Duke also had an illegitimate daughter by his mistress Lady Almeria Carpenter, a daughter of the Earl of Tyrconnell.
- Louisa Maria La Coast (6 January 1782 Esher, Surrey - 10 February 1835), who married 1802 Hon Godfrey Bosvile Macdonald, later Sir Godfrey Bosvile Macdonald, 11th Bt (Baronetage of Nova Scotia) and 3rd Baron Macdonald of Sleat (Peerage of Ireland), and 18th Chief of Clan Macdonald, and by whom she had three children born before their marriage (legitimized by Scottish law, but not by Irish law) and ten children born after their marriage. (A previous marriage in Scotland was considered of doubtful validity). These children and their posterity are the only descendants of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.
| Preceded by: New Creation |
Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh 1764–1805 |
Succeeded by: HRH Prince William Frederick |
