Lady Augusta Murray
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| Lady Augusta Murray | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 January 1768 London |
| Died | 5 March 1830 (aged 62) Ramsgate, Kent |
| Spouse | Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1793–1794) |
| Children | Augustus d'Este Augusta, Lady Truro |
| Parents | John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore Lady Charlotte Stewart |
The Lady Augusta Murray (27 January 1768 – 5 March 1830) was the first wife of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of George III. As their marriage was in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, it was considered legally void, and she could not be styled as the Duchess of Sussex.
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[edit] Early life
Lady Augusta was born in London. Her father was John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore and her mother was Lady Charlotte Stewart daughter of the Alexander Stewart, 6th Earl of Galloway. She was styled Lady Augusta Murray at birth, the courtesy title of a daughter of an Earl.
[edit] Marriage
Lady Augusta secretly married The Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of George III on 4 April 1793 in a Church of England ceremony in Hotel Sarmiento, Rome, Italy. They were later remarried again in a religious ceremony on 5 December 1793 in St. George's Church, Hanover Square, London using their correct names but without revealing their full identities. The marriage ceremonies were in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act 1772 and soon annulled. Lady Augusta could not take the style of Princess of Great Britain or Her Royal Highness.
Together the couple had two children:
- Augustus Frederick d'Este (13 January 1794 — 28 December 1848)
- Augusta Emma d'Este, later Lady Truro (11 August 1801 – 21 May 1866)
Despite the annulment, Prince Augustus continued to live with Lady Augusta until 1801, when he received a parliamentary grant of £12,000. The King created Prince Augustus Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter on 27 November 1801.
[edit] Later life
After 1801, the couple went their separate ways. In 1806 Lady Augusta was given royal licence to use the surname De Ameland instead of Murray.[1] Lady Augusta retained custody of the children and received a maintenance of £4,000 a year. She died in Ramsgate, Kent. After Lady Augusta's death the Duke of Sussex married Lady Cecilia Underwood, and lived at Kensington Palace.
[edit] References
- ^ London Gazette: no. 15966. p. 1364. 18 October 1806.
