The progression of the British throne was altered by the premature death of Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1751, making him the most recent heir apparent to fail to accede to the crown. Born in Hanover in 1707, he navigated a life defined by intense domestic friction, political opposition, and significant patronage of the eighteenth-century arts.
Early Life and Separation
Frederick was born Friedrich Ludwig in the Holy Roman Empire, the eldest son of the future King George II and Caroline of Ansbach. His early years were marked by a prolonged separation from his parents, who moved to Great Britain in 1714 when he was seven years old. He remained in Hanover for fourteen years under the guardianship of his granduncle, the Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück. During this period, he received a smallpox inoculation in 1722. He eventually arrived in Britain in 1728, shortly after his father ascended to the throne, but the decade of estrangement ensured a permanent coldness in their family relationship.
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Upon his arrival in London, Frederick became a central figure for opposition politicians who found themselves at odds with his father's court. He established a rival circle that supported the Opera of the Nobility and sponsored opposition journalism, including the publication Old England. His interests extended to music, as he played both the viola and cello, and he frequently commissioned portraits from artists such as Philippe Mercier. His most enduring contribution to cultural history was the patronage of the masque Alfred, which featured the premiere of the song 'Rule, Britannia!' in 1740, composed by Thomas Arne with lyrics by James Thomson.
Public Roles and Death
Frederick held several titles, including Duke of Edinburgh, and served as the tenth chancellor of the University of Dublin from 1728 until his death. Despite his political ambitions and his position as Prince of Wales, he maintained a reputation for personal volatility, engaging in pursuits such as cricket and social gambling. He remained a member of the Royal Society and was invested with the Order of the Garter in 1717. He died at Leicester House in London in 1751, nine years before his father, and was buried at Westminster Abbey. His death elevated his eldest son to the throne as King George III in 1760.
Fast facts
- Born: 1707, Hanover
- Died: 1751, London
- Title: Duke of Edinburgh (1726-1751)
- Political status: Heir apparent to the British throne
- Royal Society membership: Royal Fellow (1728)
- Burial place: Westminster Abbey
- Languages: German, English
Questions readers ask
Did Frederick become King of Great Britain?
No, he died in 1751, predeceasing his father, King George II, and his son succeeded to the throne as King George III in 1760.
What was Frederick's role in the arts?
He was a significant patron, supporting the Opera of the Nobility, various historians, and the creation of the song 'Rule, Britannia!'.
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