HRH Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow
Born 27 January 1773, Prince Augustus Frederick was the sixth son and ninth child of King George III and his consort Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or navy career, as he suffered from asthma and was unable join his brothers in receiving military training.
In 1793, Prince Augustus Frederick married Lady Augusta Murray at St George's, Hanover Square, Westminster in secret without consent from his father. Ultimately his marriage was annulled by the Court of Arches.
He later went on to marry his second wife, Lady Cecilia Gore at Great Cumberland Place, London, on 2 May 1831. Both marriages were in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772; thus the couple's children were illegitimate.
Lady Cecilia, not being the Prince's legitimate wife, could not be received at court. She was eventually given the title of Duchess of Inverness in her own right by Queen Victoria. The Duke of Sussex was the favourite uncle of Queen Victoria, as he had given her away at her wedding to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Since Augustus Frederick had no legitimate issue, his titles became extinct on his death in 1843. In his will he specified that he was not to have a state funeral and was accordingly buried at Kensal Green Cemetery on 4 May 1843. He is buried in front of the main chapel, immediately opposite the tomb of his sister, Princess Sophia.
In 1999, before the wedding of Prince Edward, the youngest son of Elizabeth II, some had suggested the Dukedom of Sussex or Cambridge as the most likely title to be granted to him. Instead, Prince Edward was created Earl of Wessex, and it was announced that he would eventually be created Duke of Edinburgh, a title currently held by his father, Prince Philip.
Portrait by and published by William Skelton, after Sir William Beechey
© National Portrait Gallery, London