Augusta of Cambridge
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Princess Augusta Caroline Charlotte Elizabeth Mary Sophia Louise of Cambridge (19 July 1822 – 5 December 1916), was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King George III.
She later married into the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and became the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
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[edit] Early life
Princess Augusta was born on 19 July 1822 at the Palace of Montbrillant, Hanover. Her father was Prince Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge, the seventh son of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Her mother was The Duchess of Cambridge (née Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel).
The Princess spent her earlier years in Hanover where her father was the viceroy on behalf of his brother, King George IV.
Princess Augusta had one brother, Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge; and one sister, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, later the Duchess of Teck. As such Princess Augusta was a first cousin of Queen Victoria, and aunt to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, the consort of George V.
[edit] Marriage
On 28 June 1843, Princess Augusta married her first cousin, Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (17 October 1819 – 20 May 1904), at Buckingham Palace, London. With the marriage Augusta became The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and on the 6 September 1860 The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz following the death of her father-in-law.
The marriage of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess produced two children:
- An unnamed son 1845–1845
- Prince Adolph Friedrich (22 July 1848 – 11 June 1914), who succeeded his father as Grand Duke Adolph Friedrich V in May 1904.
[edit] Later life
Although she spent most her adult life in Germany, the Grand Duchess Augusta retained close personal ties to the British royal family. During the lifetime of her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, she frequently visited her apartments at Kensington Palace.
After her mother's death in 1889, the Grand Duchess acquired a house in London's Buckingham-gate area, where she spent a portion of the year until advanced old age made it impossible for her travel abroad.
In making preparations for the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1901, the Duke of Norfolk consulted her on matters of ettiquite and attire.
She was able to provide details of the coronation of Queen Victoria for which no written records existed. The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Sterlitz was particularly close to her niece, the future Queen Mary, but due to old age she was unable to attend the coronation of King George V (who was her first cousin twice removed) and Queen Mary at Westminster Abbey on 22 June 1911.
During World War I, the Swiss embassy passed letters from the Queen to her aunt who still lived in Germany.
As an elderly lady, she was known for being cantankerous. When Princess Maud became Queen of Norway, Augusta said she had, "become the Queen of a revolutionary throne". During Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Augusta said in a loud voice, "Why is she thanking God in the street?" as Queen Victoria sat in her carriage for a blessing.
The Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz died in Neustrelitz and was buried in Mirow. As the longest lived grandchild of King George III, she was the last link to the British branch of the House of Hanover.
At the time of her death, she was 94 years,4 months and 16 days old, making her the longest-lived British princess of the blood royal until Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, a male-line granddaughter of Queen Victoria, broke the record in 1977.
[edit] Titles
- Her Royal Highness Princess Augusta of Cambridge (1822-1843)
- Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1843-1860)
- Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1860-1904)
- Her Royal Highness The Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1904-1916)
