Prince Adolphus, Duke Of Cambridge

Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, born Adolphus Frederick on 24 February 1774, was a member of the British royal family and a son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He was the tenth child and the seventh son of his parents and held the title of Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. He died on 8 July 1850.

Early Life:

Adolphus was born in Buckingham House, located in Westminster, London. His baptism took place on 24 March 1774 at St James's Palace, with his godparents including Prince John Adolphus of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Landgrave Charles of Hesse-Kassel, and Princess Wilhelmina of Orange. He was educated at home until summer 1786, after which he attended the University of Göttingen in Germany alongside his brothers Prince Ernest and Prince Augustus.

Military Career:

Adolphus began his military training in 1791 under the supervision of Field Marshal Wilhelm von Freytag in Hanover and served on his staff during the Flanders Campaign of 1793. His early combat experience included participation at Famars on 23 May and being wounded and captured at the Battle of Hondschoote on 6 September 1793. He commanded a Hessian brigade in 1794 and led Hanoverian troops during the retreat through Holland. Promoted to lieutenant general in 1798, he was appointed honorary Colonel-in-Chief of the Hanoverian Guard Foot Regiment (1789–1803). During the War of the Second Coalition (1799–1802), he traveled to Berlin in 1801 to prevent Prussian occupation of Hanover, but efforts were unsuccessful.

In 1803, as senior army commander, he supervised Hanoverian defenses but withdrew to England following the French advances. He was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the King's German Legion in 1803 and was promoted to field marshal in 1813. During his military service, he held several colonelcies, including of the Coldstream Guards, and served as Military Governor and later Governor General of Hanover from 1813 to 1837. He was elevated to the rank of field marshal on 26 November 1813.

Personal Life and Marriage:

Adolphus married Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel on 1 June 1818 at Buckingham Palace, after initially wedding in Kassel, Hesse. The couple had three children: Prince George, Duke of Cambridge; Princess Augusta of Cambridge; and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge. His familial connections include being the maternal grandfather of Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, consort of King George V.

Viceroy of Hanover:

From 1816 until 1837, Adolphus served as the viceroy of the Kingdom of Hanover, representing his elder brothers King George IV and King William IV. His tenure ended following Queen Victoria's accession, when Hanover, adhering to Salic Law, separated from the British crown, passing the throne to Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Subsequently, Adolphus returned to Britain.

Residences:

During the 1820s, Adolphus resided at Cambridge House in Mayfair, London. When serving as Viceroy, he maintained a residence at 94 Piccadilly, which he leased in 1829–1830, renaming it Cambridge House.

Death:

Prince Adolphus died at Cambridge House, Piccadilly, London, on 8 July 1850, aged 76. He was initially buried in a dedicated extension at St Anne's Church in Kew, with subsequent remains transferred to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in 1930. His only son, Prince George, succeeded his peerages.

Honours:

Adolphus received numerous honours, including the Order of the Garter (KG), the Order of the Bath (GCB), the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), and various foreign orders. He was also a Privy Counsellor and a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order.

Arms:

His heraldic arms featured the Royal Arms of Hanover, with a three-point label of difference, including two hearts and a red cross in the center point. These arms were adopted by his daughter Princess Mary Adelaide and her descendants.

Family:

Adolphus and Augusta produced three children:

- Prince George, Duke of Cambridge

- Princess Augusta of Cambridge

- Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge.