Transition: From George II, Over Prince Frederick, to George III

Abandonment Issues: Years 1705 - 1727

This post is about the transition from George II to his grandson, George III.  It is necessary to understand this transition, in order to understand how the third holder of the title Princess Royal, Charlotte, daughter of George III, came to be.

In 1705, prior to his father's succession and while still living in Hanover, George Augustus (later George II) married Caroline of Ansbach.  They remained devoted to each other throughout their lives.  In 1707, Caroline delivered a healthy son, Frederick, whose family nickname was "Griff".  His birth was followed by that of Anne, Princess Royal (see previous post).  Caroline went on to have several other children, as well.

In 1714, when Frederick was seven years old, his grandfather, George I, already ruler of Hanover, succeeded to the throne of Britain. Frederick's father left with George I for England.  Later that same year, Caroline and her daughters sailed to England. Frederick was left behind in Hanover.  Why did the family leave the son behind?  (For that matter, why did they nickname him "Griff"?)  The reason was political.  Hanover recognized Salic law, which stated only males could inherit territory and crowns.  As their first-born and, at the time, only son, it was important for the family to leave a representative, the second-in-line to the crown of Hanover, where kings reigned absolute.  Frederick was a sort of collateral, a reassurance to the people of Hanover, as well as neighboring countries, that the family continued to rule, even while also accepting the crown of a second, far-away country.

It is unclear whether the decision to leave Frederick behind was made by George Augustus or George I (although George I certainly had a penchant for separating children from their parents).  It is also unclear why it was considered a higher priority for Frederick to be left in Hanover, rather than taken to England to be groomed to eventually succeed to the throne of Britain.  Nevertheless, Frederick was raised by his great-uncle, Ernest (George I's trusted youngest brother), and private tutors.  He would not see his family again for 14 years, a separation that would have negative repercussions for the entire family for years to come.

Family tree of George I (Ancestry.com):

Frederick's father, George Augustus had a conflicted relationship with his own father, George I.  Once in England, George Augustus was associated with opposition politics until at least 1720.  He was popular with the British public, having made an effort to anglicize: learning the language, customs, and politics of Britain.  George I felt threatened by his son's greater popularity.  The relationship between father and son never healed, only becoming more discordant after George I separated George Augustus and his wife from their children following a father-son quarrel.

Engraving of Young Frederick by 
Georg Wilhelm Lafontaine

Meanwhile, back in Hanover, Frederick continued to be reared by Great-Uncle Ernest, who there was considered head of the royal family and regent in all but name.  In 1718, when Frederick was 11 years old, both he and Ernest were created Knights of the Order of the Garter.  In 1722, Frederick was inoculated against smallpox, according to his distant mother's wish.  George I created him Duke of Edinburgh from afar.

In 1727, when Frederick was 20 years old, his grandfather, George I, died, and his father, George Augustus, succeeded to the throne of England (and Hanover) as George II.  For the next 10 years, Queen Caroline, who was coronated, wielded unprecedented political influence, consistently making wise decisions, promoting unity between her husband and Parliament, and showing mercy to the most unfortunate of her subjects, including those in the penal system.

Trust Issues (1728 - 1729)

Even after his succession, George II did not at first have Frederick brought from Hanover.  Then, in 1728, when Frederick was 21, Ernest died, without issue and without ever having been married. Rather than Frederick being allowed to move up and taking a more direct role as regent of Hanover at this point, Frederick was summoned to England for the first time. Perhaps it was so his parents could keep an eye on him.  Perhaps it was to better control his marriage negotiations.  Perhaps it was so Frederick could be actively prevented from becoming regent of Hanover, a role in which his father clearly did not wish him to be.  J. C. Long states Frederick came to England at his own insistence upon coming of age.[1]  Regardless, not having Great-Uncle Ernest or Frederick in Hanover to represent the monarchy, George II began to make yearly visits to his birth-country, much as his father had done.

Long writes, "On arrival Frederick was received by his parents with pool politeness."1  After having lived apart from his parents and siblings for 14 years, it is not surprising that Frederick had a distant relationship with them.  He had never before met his youngest siblings, including his new rival, Prince William, his parents' favorite.  At one point, George II considered splitting his domains in such a way that Frederick would succeed to the throne of Britain, while William would succeed to the throne of Hanover.  Ultimately, however, the two brothers never had to swap home countries.

Since childhood, Frederick had been used to presiding over official occasions in Hanover.  Although created Prince of Wales in 1729, he continually chafed under the restraints of his new British role, which really came with no power, whatsoever.  George II did not even allow Frederick to chair the regency council during his visits to Hanover, choosing Queen Caroline to do so, instead.  Really, given the way in which his parents consistently shied away from bestowing responsibility upon him, one almost has to wonder whether Prince Frederick was an alcoholic.  However, Long states Frederick was a teetotaler.  Long takes issue with many negative contemporary representations of Frederick, stating most were written by two of his known enemies.  He writes, "Frederick was beloved by all classes of society except the Court, by most of the nobility, by the merchants of London, by the masses and by his son.  Frederick was a wit, a musician of note and a man who had an awareness of the need for social reform."[1]  Long's description of Frederick, however, does not sufficiently explain why drama seemed to follow him everywhere he went.

Prince Frederick, The Weakest Link?: Years 1730 - 1736

Prince Frederick was "high-spirited" (another word for profligate).  He was well-known to enjoy spending, gambling, and women.  Following in George II's footsteps, his son, Prince Frederick, supported the parliamentary opposition.  He even supported a rival opera, competing (unsuccessfully) with Handel's royally-sponsored opera.  He closely befriended the court gossip, Lord Hervey, who said Prince Frederick made it a point to oppose his royal parents in everything.  Lord Hervey also recalled that, upon seeing Frederick, Queen Caroline once exclaimed, "Look, there he goes—that wretch!—that villain!—I wish the ground would open this moment and sink the monster to the lowest hole in hell!" ... or something to that effect.  George II was quoted as saying, "My dear first-born is the greatest ass, the greatest liar, the greatest canaille and the greatest beast in the whole world and I heartily wish he was out of it."[1]

Prince Frederick and Lord Hervey shared everything, from the spectacular failure of a theatrical comedy they co-wrote (... the audience was literally refunded their money ...), to a favorite mistress, Anne Vane.  A son born to Anne in 1732, FitzFrederick Vane, could have been the child of either Prince Frederick or Lord Hervey (or of the 1st Earl of Harrington, for that matter).  After a falling out, Lord Hervey wrote of Prince Frederick that he was "false ... never having the least hesitation in telling any lie that served his present purpose".  Perhaps these were the words of a biased enemy.

Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his sisters, Anne, 
Caroline and Amelia by Philip Mercier

Frederick did have his positive (or at least innocuous) points.  He loved music and played the viola and cello.  He supported the composer, Thomas Arne, who likewise supported the Prince politically.  Arne composed Rule Britannia as part of a masque, in which the Prince's self-aggrandizing tendencies reached a pinnacle. (Frederick was known for wishing to build up Britain's sea power.  The masque compared Frederick with Alfred the Great and his victories over the Vikings.)  Frederick was interested in painting and patronized numerous artists.  He also enjoyed practical jokes (possibly at the expense of others) and was a promoter of the game of cricket, which was growing in popularity at the time.

Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Princess 
of Wales by Charles Philips

Heavily in debt, Prince Frederick wanted to marry the wealthy Lady Diana Spencer, who would have brought to the marriage an immense dowry of £100,000.  However, the proposed marriage was vetoed by George II and, more importantly, Robert Walpole, de facto Prime Minister and the most powerful man in England at the time.  Lady Diana went on to marry and enrich the Duke of Bedford.  In 1736, the 29-year-old Prince Frederick married the 17-year-old Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, who was selected for him by George II.  Augusta, possibly conveniently, spoke virtually no English.  By the time of his marriage, Frederick had already had two children by one mistress and one by another.

Carrying On the Proud Tradition of Filial Hostility: Years 1736 - 1737

George II's English subjects were not in favor of the King's visits to Hanover.  Perhaps they wanted him all to themselves.  Perhaps it reminded them of James II's "abdication" to the shores of France. Regardless, George II's popularity decreased when he visited Hanover in May of 1736.  A mischevious notice was pinned to the gate of St. James's Palace, stating: "Lost or strayed out of this house, a man who has left a wife and six children on the parish".

Perhaps hearing of the unrest, George II decided to return to England, even under threat of inclement weather.  His ship was caught in a storm, and rumors that he had drowned were bruited about London.  To the Queen's chagrin, Prince Frederick took this opportunity to passive-aggressively express his filial hostility by hosting a grand dinner while the tempest raged.

Finally, eight months after his original departure, George II returned to England in January of 1737. He immediately developed piles and a fever and had to be on bed rest.  Prince Frederick told everyone George II was dying, an action the late Henry VIII had made treasonous.  Poor George II had to leave his bed to attend a social event to disprove the rumor.

Frederick, Prince of Wales by Jacopo Amigoni

After George II refused to grant Prince Frederick the financial allowance to which he felt entitled (That feeling seemed to increased in proportion to his growing debts.), Prince Frederick continued to embarrass his parents by publicly opposing George II's political aims, such as the Gin Act of 1736.  Daring to apply to Parliament for the financial allowance denied him by the King, Prince Frederick finally received a modest raise, which failed to satisfy him.  He remained in constant debt for the duration of his life.

Perhaps to obtain negative attention from his father, Prince Frederick frequently tried to start quarrels with his mother.  However, he overstepped the line in 1737.  In June, he informed his parents his wife was expecting, due to give birth in October.  Either accidentally or purposely, Frederick miscalculated her due date.  Augusta went into labor in July.  The Prince, some say vindictively, smuggled her out of Hampton Court Palace at night and smuggled her to St. James's Palace in a carriage.  Long stated this plan was prearranged by both Frederick and Augusta, who "feared for the safety and future of her unborn child."[1]  Long states the King and Queen did not wish for Frederick to have children, but rather, for his younger brother to remain second in the line of succession.  If that was the case, however, why did George II arrange Frederick's marriage?  Nevertheless, arranging for the baby to be born at St. James's ensured the monarchs could not be present at the birth.

Now, we all remember the birth of James II's son, James Francis. (If you don't, please see the third post.)  It was extremely important for witnesses to be present at royal births, preferably members of the royal family, as well as senior courtiers.  Without witnesses, anyone could accuse a royal baby of being "suppositious" and question that child's right to inherit the throne.  For that matter, a royal woman could actually feign pregnancy and claim a child not her own, as Mary of Modena was (most likely falsely) accused of having done.  Without royal witnesses, how could anyone prove Princess Augusta's son was actually her own?  It was no wonder that the King and Queen were horrified when the couple's absence was discovered.  George II stated he feared a "changeling doubtless had been wished upon them."[1]

Augusta of Great Britain at the age of 
about 26, artist unknown

Luckily for Princess Augusta, the point was moot.  Not only were at least two cabinet members present to officially witness the birth, but the baby was a girl.  The genuine article was christened Augusta (of Great Britain), after her mother. Or, as the Queen put it with grandmotherly pride, after booking it to St. James's Palace, a "poor, ugly little she-mouse".  Princess Augusta could not have been suspected of sporting a false heir by adopting a healthy baby boy.

Nevertheless, the monarchs had had enough of Prince Frederick.  He was banished from court, much as his father had been, although possibly for better reasons.  Frederick was not allowed to remove any furniture or trunks from his apartments.  George II said, "A clothes-basket is good enough for them!"[1]  When Queen Caroline became fatally ill in November, George II refused Prince Frederick permission to see her.  The Queen agreed with this decision, but did send Prince Frederick a message of forgiveness.  Prince Frederick was not invited to her funeral, which took place in December.

An Unlikely Family Man: Years 1742 - 1751

Family tree of Frederick, Prince of Wales (Ancestry.com):

It is worth noting Prince Frederick, to all intents and purposes, ceased his womanizing ways when he married Princess Augusta. After the drama-laced birth of baby Augusta, Prince Frederick and his wife went on to have eight more children.  Frederick's eldest son, who surprised his parents by being born two months early, was christened George, because there just weren't enough Georges of whom to keep track.  Prince Frederick was devoted to his family and took them to live at Cliveden, where Prince Frederick lived the life of a sportsman.  Ever submissive, Princess Augusta bent to her husband's will in his ongoing feud with his parents.

Prince Frederick became the focus of a rival court at Leicester House, much as his father's court had rivaled that of George I.  In 1742, perhaps partly due to the increasing influence of Prince Frederick's political allies, George II was willing to reconcile with him.  However, this truce lasted only until 1747, when Prince Frederick rejoined the opposition ... who subsequently lost the election.

In 1745, James II's grandson, Charles Stuart, fomented a Jacobite rising in Scotland.  The Scottish clans were decimated at Culloden.  Charles escaped the fray with the help of a Scottish woman, Flora MacDonald.  She was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London.  Perhaps out of simple altruism, or perhaps to aggravate his father, Prince Frederick met with her and helped secure her release.

Frederick, Prince of Wales 

by Thomas Frye

In March of 1751, the strained relationship between George II and Prince Frederick finally came to an end when Frederick died unexpectedly, but perhaps to the relief of many, at the age of 44.  (Some say a cricket injury caused an abscess in his lung, which burst.  Some say a tennis injury caused an abscess in his eye, which somehow resulted in pneumonia.  Regardless, the cause of death was respiratory.)  He was buried in Westminster Abbey. 

Prince Prederick's early death meant that his youngest daughter, Caroline Mathilde, who was born four months after Frederick's death, would never meet her father.  Prince Frederick's early death, prior to a succession to the British throne, made his eldest daughter, young Princess Augusta of Great Britain, permanently ineligible for the title Princess Royal.

Princess Augusta of Great Britain went on to marry Duke Karl II of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.  She had a daughter, Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, in 1764, as well as another daughter, Caroline of Brunswick, in 1768.  Both sisters entered into significant dynastic marriages.  Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel went on to marry Frederick II, Duke of Württemberg. Caroline of Brunswick went on to marry George IV of Great Britain.  Both of these women will be referenced again.

Family tree of Princess Augusta of Great Britain (Ancestry.com):

Posthumous Drama: Years 1751 - 1760

George, Prince of Wales by James MacArdell

The death of Prince Frederick, the heir apparent, spawned political chaos and controversy.  His 12-year-old son, George, became the new heir and was created Prince of Wales three weeks after Prince Frederick's death. Continuing to favor his younger son, George II wished Prince William to be named prospective regent during young George's minority.  However, the British public preferred the child's mother be named.  Although the public's wish was granted, in the end, a regency never became necessary.  George II did not die until two weeks before his 77th birthday in 1760, at which time young George was 22.  The nephew of the second Princess Royal, Anne, reigned as George III from 1760 until 1820, the longest reigning monarch to that date.

My next post will be about the life and reign of George III, the father of the third holder of the title Princess Royal, Charlotte.

1. Long, J. C. George III: The Story of a Complex Man. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1960.