Photograph of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex.
Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex

Overview

Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (27 January 177321 April 1843), was the sixth son of George III and his consort, Queen Charlotte. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.

Early life

His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus Frederick 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 and Prince Adolphus. Prince Augustus, who suffered from asthma, did not join his brothers in receiving military training in Hanover. He briefly considered becoming a cleric in the Church of England.

First Marriage

While travelling in Italy, he met Lady Augusta Murray (c. 1762-1830), the second daughter of 4th Earl of Dunmore. The couple married in Rome on 4 April 1793, and again at St. George's, Hanover Square, London on 5 December 1793, without the knowledge or the consent of the King. The later minister of Hanover affairs Ernst zu Münster was sent to Italy, to escort him back to London.

In August 1794, the Prerogative Court annulled the marriage on the grounds that it contravened the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 because it had not been approved by the King and Privy Council. Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000. Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year.

Peerage

The King created him Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the peerage of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter on 27 November 1801. Since he died without legitimate issue, the title became extinct.

Second Marriage

The Duke of Sussex married a second time on 2 May 1831 (again in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act) to Lady Cecilia Letitia Buggin (1793-1873), the eldest daughter of Arthur Gore, 2nd Earl of Arran and Elizabeth Underwood; and the widow of Sir George Buggin. It should be noted that even allowing for the irregularity of these marriages, this second marriage would not have been bigamous since Lady Augusta Murray had died by then. On the same day, Lady Cecilia assumed by Royal Licence the surname Underwood. She was never titled or recognized as the Duchess of Sussex. However, she was created Duchess of Inverness in her own right in 1840.

Later life

William IV appointed his younger brother Chief Ranger and Keeper of St. James and Hyde Parks on 29 January 1831. The Duke of Sussex was elected president of the Society of Arts in 1816 and held that post for the rest of his life. He also held the honorary posts of Captain-General and Colonel of the Hon. Artillery Company from 1817 onward. He was president of the Royal Society between 1830 and 1838.

The Duke of Sussex was the favourite uncle of Queen Victoria. He gave her away at her wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The Duke of Sussex died at Kensington Palace was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. The Duchess of Inverness continued to reside at Kensington Palace until her death in 1873. She was buried next to her second husband.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles
*27 January 1773–27 November 1801: His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus Frederick *27 November 1801–21 April 1843: His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex

Issue

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How is Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex connected to Victoria of the United Kingdom? Tell the world.

This biography says:

Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (27 January 1773 – 21 April 1843), was the sixth son of George III and his consort, Queen Charlotte. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.
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That biography says:

...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.
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That biography says:

...From 1846 to 1847, he was Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Lord John Russell. Keppel was Equerry to Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. He was made a Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS) and of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA)...

That biography says:

Cecilia Underwood, Duchess of Inverness (née Lady Cecilia Letitia Gore; c. 1785 - 1 August 1873) was the second wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, sixth son of 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 either as the Duchess of Sussex or a Princess...

That biography says:

...They had four sons and three daughters. His eldest daughter from his first marriage, Lady Cecilia, was the second wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, and was created Duchess of Inverness in 1840. Lord Arran died in October 1809, aged 75, and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son Arthur...

This biography says:

While travelling in Italy, he met Lady Augusta Murray (c. 1762-1830), the second daughter of 4th Earl of Dunmore. The couple married in Rome on 4 April 1793, and again at St...

That biography says:

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 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.
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