MARIA, DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER AND EDINBURGH

'Maria Walpole' (10 July 1736 – 22 August 1807), the Countess Waldegrave and Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, was a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Her marriage to the Duke without the knowledge of King George III led to the passing of the Royal Marriages Act 1772.

Contents

Early life

Countess Waldegrave

Duchess of Gloucester

Titles, Styles

External links

Early life

Maria Walpole was the daughter of Edward Walpole and Dorothy Clements. Her grandfather was Robert Walpole, considered to be the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1721 - 41). She grew up at Frogmore House in Windsor, but her parents were not married, and her illegitimate status hindered her social standing despite her family connections.

Countess Waldegrave

On 15 May 1759, she married James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave, the son of James Waldegrave, 1st Earl Waldegrave and Mary Webbe. After her marriage Maria was styled ''Countess Waldegrave''. The Earl Waldegrave died on 28 April 1763, leaving Maria a widow. They had three children.

★ The Lady Elizabeth Laura Waldegrave (1760–1816) who married her cousin, the 4th Earl Waldegrave

★ The Lady Charlotte Maria Waldegrave (1761–1808) who married the 4th Duke of Grafton

★ The Lady Anna Horatia Waldegrave (1762–1801) who married Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour-son of Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford. {Anna and Hugh were the great grandparents of Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer who was the great-grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Earl Spencer are descended from John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough; the Seymour-Conway are desceneded from Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset.

Duchess of Gloucester

On 6 September 1766 she married Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester (14 November 1743 - 25 August 1805) at her home in Pall Mall, London. The Duke was the third son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and a brother of George III. The marriage was conducted in secret as the British Royal Family would not have approved of a marriage between a Royal Prince and a widow of non-royal rank and illegitimate birth. They lived at St Leonard's Hill in Clewer, near Windsor, and had three children.

★ Princess Sophia of Gloucester (1773–1844)

★ Princess Caroline of Gloucester (1774–1775)

★ Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776–1834)
Their marriage, and that of the Duke's other brother, the Duke of Cumberland, led to the passing of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, which would require all the descendants of George II to seek the Sovereign's approval before marriage. However, the provisions could not be applied retrospectively, thus Maria and the Duke's wedding was considered legal by Parliament. As such, Maria became styled ''Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh''. Due, however, to the anger of George III at the marriage, she was never received at court.

Titles, Styles

★ '1736-1759': Miss Maria Walpole

★ '1759-1763': The Countess Waldegrave

★ '1763-1766': The Dowager Countess Waldegrave

★ '1766-1805': ''Her Royal Highness'' The Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh

★ '1805-1807': ''Her Royal Highness'' The Dowager Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh

External links

★ Royal Berkshire History: Maria Walpole alias Clements, Duchess of Gloucester