George FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland

George FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Northumberland KG PC (Oxford, December 28, 1665 – June 28, 1716, Epsom) was the third and youngest illegitimate son of King Charles II. His mother was Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine (also known as Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland). On October 1, 1674, he was created Earl of Northumberland, Baron of Pontefract (Yorkshire) and Viscount Falmouth (Cornwall). On April 6, 1683, he was created Duke of Northumberland.

The first Duke of Northumberland was born at Merton College, Oxford. In 1682, he was employed on secret service in Venice. Upon his return to England in 1684, he was elected (January 10) and installed (April 8) Knight of the Garter. That summer, he served as a volunteer on the side of the French at the Siege of Luxembourg. In 1687, Northumberland commanded the 2nd Troop of Horse Guards. A year later, he was appointed a lord of His Majesty's bedchamber. In 1701, he was appointed Constable of Windsor Castle and Lord Lieutenant of Surrey. In 1712, he became Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire as well. In 1703, he succeeded the Earl of Oxford as Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Horse. Seven years later, on January 10, 1710, he became Lieutenant-General. On April 7, 1713, he was sworn into the Privy Council and as Chief Butler of England.

In March 1686, the Northumberland married Catherine Wheatley, the daughter of poulterer, Robert Wheatley of Bracknell in Berkshire. Catherine was the widow of Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park, a captain in the Royal Horse Guards. Soon after the marriage, Northumberland and his brother, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, allegedly attempted to privately convey her abroad to an English convent in Ghent, Belgium. After the death of Catherine in 1714, Northumberland remarried to Mary Dutton, the sister of Captain Mark Dutton.

The Duke suddenly died at Epsom on June 28, 1716. He had no legitimate offspring. Mary died at Frogmore House in 1738.

Preceded by: The Duke of Norfolk	Lord Lieutenant of Surrey 1701–1702	Succeeded by: The Earl of Berkeley
Preceded by: The Lord Craven	Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire 1712–1716	Succeeded by: The Duke of St Albans

Preceded by: New Creation	Duke of Northumberland 1683–1716	Succeeded by: Extinct
	Earl of Northumberland 1674–1716