Duke of York and Albany
Duke of York and Albany was a title of nobility in the Peerage of Great Britain. The title was created three times during the 18th century and was usually given to the second son of British monarchs. The predecessor titles in the English and Scottish peerages were Duke of York and Duke of Albany.
| Duke of York and Albany | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Appointer | Monarch of Great Britain |
| Term length | Life tenure or until accession as Sovereign |
| Inaugural holder | Prince Ernest Augustus |
| Formation | 1716 |
History
The individual dukedoms of York and of Albany had previously each been created several times in the Peerages of England and of Scotland respectively. Each had become a traditional title for the second son of the monarch, and had become united (but separately awarded) in the House of Stuart.
During the 18th century, the double dukedom of York and Albany was created three times in the Peerage of Great Britain. The title was first held by Duke Ernest Augustus of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Bishop of Osnabrück, the youngest brother of King George I. He died without issue.
The second creation of the Dukedom of York and Albany was for Prince Edward, younger brother of King George III. He also died without issue, having never married. The third and last creation of the Dukedom of York and Albany was for Prince Frederick Augustus, the second son of King George III. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army for many years, and he was the original "grand old Duke of York" in the popular rhyme. He died without legitimate issue.
Each time that the Dukedom of York and Albany was created, it had only one occupant, with that person dying without legitimate issue.
Queen Victoria granted the title Duke of Albany (single geographic designation) in 1881 to her fourth son, Prince Leopold, and the title Duke of York (single geographic designation) in 1892 to her eldest son's second (but by then only living) son, Prince George.
Dukes of York and Albany
First creation, 1716–1728
| Duke | Portrait | Birth | Marriages | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Ernest Augustus House of Hanover 1716–1728[1] also: Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück (1715–1728), Earl of Ulster (1716) | .jpg.webp) | 7 September 1674 Osnabrück son of Ernest Augustus, Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Sophia of the Palatinate | never married | 14 August 1728 Osnabrück aged 53 |
| Prince Ernest was the younger brother of George I and died without issue. | ||||
Second creation, 1760–1767
| Duke | Portrait | Birth | Marriages | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward House of Hanover 1760–1767[2] also: Earl of Ulster (1760) |  | 25 March 1739 Norfolk House son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha | never married | 17 September 1767 Prince's Palace of Monaco aged 28 |
| Rather than the second son of the sovereign, Prince Edward was the second son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and the younger brother of George III. He died without issue at age 28, after a short illness. | ||||
Third creation, 1784–1827
| Duke | Portrait | Birth | Marriages | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Prince Frederick House of Hanover 1784–1827[3] also: Earl of Ulster (1784) |  | 16 August 1763 St. James's Palace son of George III of the United Kingdom and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | Frederica Charlotte of Prussia 29 September 1791 No children | 5 January 1827 Rutland House aged 63 |
| Prince Frederick separated from his only wife Frederica Charlotte (with whom he had no children) but was rumoured to have fathered several illegitimate children. | ||||
Family tree
References
- Kilburn, Matthew (May 2005) [2004]. "Ernest Augustus, Prince, duke of York and Albany (1674–1728)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/8839.
- "Yvonne's Royalty: Peerage. Mypage.uniserve.ca. Retrieved on 2012-06-06". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
- "Yvonne's Royalty: Peerage". Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2012.