What happened to King George III's 15 children?

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What happened to King George III's 15 children?

Stars Insider

Posted: 4 March 2024 | Last updated: 4 March 2024

<p>Sure, families were a lot bigger back then, but King George III and Queen Charlotte really went for it and had 15 children! These men and women ended up shaping the British monarchy, and a few tried to steer the <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/lifestyle/450359/the-royal-weddings-that-changed-european-history" rel="noopener">British royal family</a> in different directions. Some even became kings themselves.</p><p>From the moment George III's first child was born, in 1762, to when the last one died, in 1857, in this gallery you'll learn all about who his 15 children were, and their contributions to history. Click on for more.</p><p>You may also like: <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/145704?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=498721v1en-au">Creepy! Celebrities who have doppelgangers from the past</a></p>

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What happened to King George III's 15 children?

Sure, families were a lot bigger back then, but King George III and Queen Charlotte really went for it and had 15 children! These men and women ended up shaping the British monarchy, and a few tried to steer the British royal family in different directions. Some even became kings themselves.

From the moment George III's first child was born, in 1762, to when the last one died, in 1857, in this gallery you'll learn all about who his 15 children were, and their contributions to history. Click on for more.

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George IV

The first child of King George III and Queen Charlotte was christened George. The heir to the throne went on to become George IV in 1820, following his father's death.

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George IV

George IV's nickname was "Prinny." He was a big spender, who loved food, fashion, alcohol, and women. George IV had many illegitimate children with his mistress, and only married Princess Caroline of Brunswick so that Parliament would pay off his debts.

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<p>According to British royal tradition, the second son of the monarch becomes the Duke of York. Frederick became his brother King George IV's heir after George's only legitimate child, Princess Charlotte, died in 1817.</p>

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Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany

According to British royal tradition, the second son of the monarch becomes the Duke of York. Frederick became his brother King George IV's heir after George's only legitimate child, Princess Charlotte, died in 1817.

<p>But Prince Frederick didn't outlive his brother, and thus never became king. Prince Frederick and his wife, Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia, never had children.</p>

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Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany

But Prince Frederick didn't outlive his brother, and thus never became king. Prince Frederick and his wife, Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia, never had children.

<p>Despite having two brothers and a niece before him in the line of succession to the throne, Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews went on to become king in 1830.</p>

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William IV

Despite having two brothers and a niece before him in the line of succession to the throne, Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews went on to become king in 1830.

<p>Before retiring and becoming king, William joined the Royal Navy when he was 13 and traveled the world. None of William's legitimate children survived, so he was succeeded by his niece, who would become Queen Victoria.</p>

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William IV

Before retiring and becoming king, William joined the Royal Navy when he was 13 and traveled the world. None of William's legitimate children survived, so he was succeeded by his niece, who would become Queen Victoria.

<p>King George III and Queen Charlotte had their first daughter in 1766. The king was very protective of her (and all of his daughters). Charlotte got an exceptional education and spoke several languages.</p>

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Charlotte, Princess Royal

King George III and Queen Charlotte had their first daughter in 1766. The king was very protective of her (and all of his daughters). Charlotte got an exceptional education and spoke several languages.

<p>The king's wish for not wanting his daughter (and her future sisters) to get married was well known, but Charlotte married the widowed Prince Friedrich of Württemberg when she was 31. Though despite having stepchildren, the couple never had any children together.</p>

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Charlotte, Princess Royal

The king's wish for not wanting his daughter (and her future sisters) to get married was well known, but Charlotte married the widowed Prince Friedrich of Württemberg when she was 31. Though despite having stepchildren, the couple never had any children together.

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<p>George III was crowned King of Hanover in 1814, but never really lived in Germany. His son Prince Edward, on the other hand, moved there when he was 18 and served as a cadet in the Hanoverian Foot Guards, returning home the following year to join the British Army.</p>

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Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn

George III was crowned King of Hanover in 1814, but never really lived in Germany. His son Prince Edward, on the other hand, moved there when he was 18 and served as a cadet in the Hanoverian Foot Guards, returning home the following year to join the British Army.

<p>Prince Edward had quite liberal views for back then. He was for the abolition of slavery, was in favor of Catholics' right to worship as they pleased, and was for the freedom of the American colonies. Prince Edward was the father of the future Queen Victoria, though he sadly passed away when she was less than one year old.</p>

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Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn

Prince Edward had quite liberal views for back then. He was for the abolition of slavery, was in favor of Catholics' right to worship as they pleased, and was for the freedom of the American colonies. Prince Edward was the father of the future Queen Victoria, though he sadly passed away when she was less than one year old.

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<p>To King George III's delight, his and Queen Charlotte's sixth child was another girl. Like Charlotte, Princess Augusta Sophia also received an education. Though she was reportedly a bit of a nightmare to her tutors. It is said that she once was obliged to write an apology to a tutor...that she signed with blood!</p>

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Princess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom

To King George III's delight, his and Queen Charlotte's sixth child was another girl. Like Charlotte, Princess Augusta Sophia also received an education. Though she was reportedly a bit of a nightmare to her tutors. It is said that she once was obliged to write an apology to a tutor...that she signed with blood!

<p>Despite the many candidates, the princess never married. Though there were rumors of a relationship with an army general, Princess Augusta Sophia remained single her entire life, until she died in 1840, aged 71.</p>

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Princess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom

Despite the many candidates, the princess never married. Though there were rumors of a relationship with an army general, Princess Augusta Sophia remained single her entire life, until she died in 1840, aged 71.

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<p>Born a bit chubbier than her sisters, Princess Elizabeth was sort of the ugly duckling of her family. Elizabeth had a "determined personality," and was very creative.</p>

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Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom

Born a bit chubbier than her sisters, Princess Elizabeth was sort of the ugly duckling of her family. Elizabeth had a "determined personality," and was very creative.

<p>From paper cutouts, to designing decorative panels, and even selling her drawings, Elizabeth had a strong artistic vein. After her father died, she ended up getting permission from her brother, the Prince Regent, to marry Prince Friedrich of Hesse-Homburg.</p>

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Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom

From paper cutouts, to designing decorative panels, and even selling her drawings, Elizabeth had a strong artistic vein. After her father died, she ended up getting permission from her brother, the Prince Regent, to marry Prince Friedrich of Hesse-Homburg.

<p>The Kingdom of Hanover did not allow for women to be monarchs, so when William IV died, his successor, Queen Victoria, couldn't ascend to the throne. As a result, Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, filled the role and moved to Germany.</p>

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Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover

The Kingdom of Hanover did not allow for women to be monarchs, so when William IV died, his successor, Queen Victoria, couldn't ascend to the throne. As a result, Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, filled the role and moved to Germany.

<p>England was mostly glad to see the back of him, though. The Duke of Cumberland had a very bad rep, including being accused of murdering his valet and raping one of his sisters. He also opposed any laws that would allow Catholics to worship. Ernest Augustus died in 1851.</p>

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Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover

England was mostly glad to see the back of him, though. The Duke of Cumberland had a very bad rep, including being accused of murdering his valet and abusing one of his sisters. He also opposed any laws that would allow Catholics to worship. Ernest Augustus died in 1851.

<p>Like his brother Prince Edward, Prince Augustus Frederick also had liberal views. Though the Duke of Sussex went as far as supporting Jewish people, whom he thought should be free of legal restrictions in England.</p>

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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex

Like his brother Prince Edward, Prince Augustus Frederick also had liberal views. Though the Duke of Sussex went as far as supporting Jewish people, whom he thought should be free of legal restrictions in England.

<p>Prince Augustus Frederick was a very well educated man, loved reading, and apparently could sing, too. He married twice, and was a much loved father figure for his niece, the future Queen Victoria (he even gave Victoria away at her wedding).</p>

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Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex

Prince Augustus Frederick was a very well educated man, loved reading, and apparently could sing, too. He married twice, and was a much loved father figure for his niece, the future Queen Victoria (he even gave Victoria away at her wedding).

Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Reportedly, Prince Adolphus was King George III and Queen Charlotte's favorite son. Prince Adolphus was sent to Hanover when he was 12, where he eventually studied and joined the military.

<p>The Duke of Cambridge was wounded, and captured in battle in 1793 by the French. Though he was then rescued. Prince Adolphus was described as a dependable, loyal member of the royal family, with great diplomatic skills.</p>

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Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

The Duke of Cambridge was wounded, and captured in battle in 1793 by the French. Though he was then rescued. Prince Adolphus was described as a dependable, loyal member of the royal family, with great diplomatic skills.

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<p>Princess Mary was the family's caregiver. She is known to have looked after several family members. This included her father, after he became mentally ill, and her younger sister Princess Amelia, who contracted tuberculosis as a teen.</p>

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Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh

Princess Mary was the family's caregiver. She is known to have looked after several family members. This included her father, after he became mentally ill, and her younger sister Princess Amelia, who contracted tuberculosis as a teen.

<p>Princess Mary was 40 when she <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/lifestyle/444211/royals-who-married-their-relatives" rel="noopener">married her cousin</a>, Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Mary went on to outlive all of her 14 siblings, dying in 1857.</p>

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Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh

Princess Mary was 40 when she married her cousin, Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Mary went on to outlive all of her 14 siblings, dying in 1857.

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<p>Princess Sophia was quite close to her mother, Queen Charlotte. She lived a more secluded lifestyle and never married. Though despite her apparently dull life, it's believed that, around 1800, she got pregnant.</p>

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Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom

Princess Sophia was quite close to her mother, Queen Charlotte. She lived a more secluded lifestyle and never married. Though despite her apparently dull life, it's believed that, around 1800, she got pregnant.

<p>It has been speculated that this might have been Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland's child, considering that he is said to have raped his sister. Other accounts, however, state that the relationship was consensual. </p>

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Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom

It has been speculated that this might have been Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland's child, considering that he is said to have sexually abused his sister. Other accounts, however, state that the relationship was consensual.

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<p>Prince Alfred was one of two princes who died as toddlers. Smallpox was a deadly disease back then, so his parents got the little prince inoculated.</p>

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Prince Alfred of Great Britain

Prince Alfred was one of two princes who died as toddlers. Smallpox was a deadly disease back then, so his parents got the little prince inoculated.

<p>Unfortunately, Alfred had a heart defect, and sadly died shortly after. Prince Alfred passed away just a month before his second birthday.</p>

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Prince Alfred of Great Britain

Unfortunately, Alfred had a heart defect, and sadly died shortly after. Prince Alfred passed away just a month before his second birthday.

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<p>Prince Octavius was the second young brother to die in the family. He was described as "very docile, and possessed good-nature in such an uncommon degree, that he was the delight of all about him."</p>

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Prince Octavius of Great Britain

Prince Octavius was the second young brother to die in the family. He was described as "very docile, and possessed good-nature in such an uncommon degree, that he was the delight of all about him."

<p>Although he had been inoculated, Prince Octavius died after contracting smallpox, aged four. "In less than eight and forty hours was my son Octavius, in perfect health, sick and struck with death immediately. There will be no Heaven for me if Octavius is not there," said George III.</p>

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Prince Octavius of Great Britain

Although he had been inoculated, Prince Octavius died after contracting smallpox, aged four. "In less than eight and forty hours was my son Octavius, in perfect health, sick and struck with death immediately. There will be no Heaven for me if Octavius is not there," said George III.

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<p>After the tragic deaths of Princes Alfred and Octavius, Princess Amelia was the new baby of the family. As previously mentioned, Princess Amelia contracted tuberculosis, this when she was 15. She was sent to a seaside resort to recover, where she fell in love with her chaperone.</p>

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Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom

After the tragic deaths of Princes Alfred and Octavius, Princess Amelia was the new baby of the family. As previously mentioned, Princess Amelia contracted tuberculosis, this when she was 15. She was sent to a seaside resort to recover, where she fell in love with her chaperone.

<p>But Princess Amelia never got to marry him. She was King George III and Queen Charlotte's third child (and first daughter) to die, aged 27, in 1810.</p><p>Sources: (<a href="https://www.grunge.com/823150/heres-what-happened-to-king-george-iii-and-queen-charlottes-15-children/" rel="noopener">Grunge</a>)</p><p>See also: <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/423457/royals-who-survived-assassination-attempts">Royals who survived assassination attempts</a></p>

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Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom

But Princess Amelia never got to marry him. She was King George III and Queen Charlotte's third child (and first daughter) to die, aged 27, in 1810.

Sources: (Grunge)

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