1. Overview
Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel (Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa; Auguste Wilhelmine Luise von Hessen-KasselGerman; 25 July 1797 - 6 April 1889) was a member of the British royal family by marriage, known for her longevity and her influential role within the household of George III of the United Kingdom. As the wife of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, the seventh son of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, she became the longest-lived daughter-in-law of the monarch. Her life spanned a significant period of British and European history, encompassing her time as Vicereine in Hanover and her later years in Britain. She was the maternal grandmother of Mary of Teck, who would later marry George V, making Princess Augusta a maternal great-grandmother to Elizabeth II.
2. Early life and background
Princess and Landgravine Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa of Hesse-Kassel was born on 25 July 1797 at Rumpenheim Castle, located in Offenbach am Main, within the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel. She was the third daughter of Prince Frederick of Hesse-Kassel and his wife, Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen. Her father was also known as Landgrave Frederick of Hesse-Kassel-Rumpenheim, identifying his branch of the Hessian dynasty.
Through her paternal lineage, Princess Augusta held a direct connection to the British royal family, being a great-granddaughter of George II of Great Britain. Her paternal grandmother, Princess Mary of Great Britain, was a daughter of King George II. Furthermore, her paternal uncle, William I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, saw his title elevated to Elector of Hesse in 1803. This elevation significantly increased the hierarchical standing of the entire Kassel branch of the Hesse dynasty. The term Công tôn nữGranddaughter of a PrinceVietnamese was used to refer to her due to her paternal grandfather's title as Landgrave being considered equivalent to that of a Duke.
3. Marriage
Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel married her second cousin, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, the tenth-born child and seventh son of King George III, in two ceremonies. The first ceremony took place on 7 May 1818 in Kassel, and the second was held on 1 June 1818 at Buckingham Palace in London. At the time of their marriage, Princess Augusta was 20 years old, while the Duke of Cambridge was 44 years old, resulting in a 24-year age difference.
Upon their marriage, Princess Augusta formally assumed the title of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge. The union resulted in the birth of three children.
4. Life as Duchess of Cambridge
From the year of her marriage in 1818 until the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837, Princess Augusta, as Duchess of Cambridge, resided in Hanover. During this period, her husband, Prince Adolphus, served as viceroy on behalf of his brothers, King George IV and King William IV, who were the reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom and Hanover. Hanover had been liberated from French occupation in 1813, and the dynastic union with Britain had been restored, leading to the Duke of Cambridge's appointment.
In 1827, Princess Augusta actively contributed to local development in Hanover. On 3 May 1827, she authorized the establishment of a new village to be named after her. This village was founded during the cultivation and colonization of the moorlands situated in the southern part of Bremervörde. By 19 June, the administration of the Hanoverian High-Bailiwick of Stade formally notified the villagers that the Duchess had approved the chosen name, Augustendorf, for their municipality. Since 1974, Augustendorf has been incorporated as a component locality of Gnarrenburg.
The separation of the British and Hanoverian crowns in 1837, due to the application of Salic Law in Hanover (which prohibited female succession), led to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's return to Great Britain. Following their return, the family initially resided at Cambridge Cottage in Kew, and later moved to St. James's Palace in London.
5. Issue
Princess Augusta and Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, had three children:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince George William Frederick Charles, Duke of Cambridge | 26 March 1819 | 17 March 1904 | Married Sarah Louisa Fairbrother in 1847; had issue. This marriage was contracted in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act and was not recognized in law. He succeeded his father as Duke of Cambridge on 8 July 1850. |
| Princess Augusta Caroline Charlotte Elizabeth Mary Sophia Louise of Cambridge | 19 July 1822 | 4 December 1916 | Married Friedrich Wilhelm, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, on 28 June 1843; had issue. She became Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and then Grand Duchess on 6 September 1860. |
| Princess Mary Adelaide Wilhelmina Elizabeth of Cambridge | 27 November 1833 | 27 October 1897 | Married Prince Francis, Duke of Teck, on 12 June 1866; had issue, including Mary of Teck, who later became Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of George V. |
6. Death and burial
The Duchess of Cambridge outlived her husband by 39 years. She died on 6 April 1889, at the advanced age of 91, at her residence, Cambridge Cottage, on Kew Green.
Upon learning of her aunt's death, Queen Victoria expressed her sentiments in a personal note, writing: "Very sad, though not for her. But she is the last of her generation, & I have no longer anyone above me." This statement reflected the passing of the final member of a senior generation within the British royal family.
Princess Augusta was initially interred at St Anne's Church, Kew, on 13 April 1889. However, her remains were later transferred to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 1930, where they were re-interred.
7. Titles and styles
Throughout her life, Princess Augusta held various titles and styles:
- 25 July 1797 - 7 May 1818: Her Serene Highness Princess Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa of Hesse
- 7 May 1818 - 6 April 1889: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
- 7 May 1818 - 6 April 1889: Her Royal Highness The Countess of Tipperary