Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772)
Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719–1772)
Princess of Wales and mother of George III of England. Name variations: Augusta of Saxe-Coburg, Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg; Augusta of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. Born Augusta, princess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Nov 30, 1719, in Gotha, Thuringia, Germany; died Feb 8, 1772, at Carlton House, London, England; buried at Westminster Abbey; dau. of Frederick II, duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, and Madeleine of Anhalt-Zerbst (1679–1740); m. Frederick Louis, prince of Wales (1706–1751, son of George II and Caroline of Ansbach), April 27, 1736; children: Augusta Guelph (1737–1813), princess royal; George William Frederick (1738–1820), later George III, king of England; Edward Augustus (1739–1767), duke of Albany and York; Elizabeth Caroline (1740–1759); William Henry (1743–1805), duke of Gloucester; Henry Frederick (b. 1745), duke of Cumberland; Louisa Anne (1749–1768); Frederick William (1750–1765); Caroline Matilda (1751–1775).
At 17, married Frederick Louis, prince of Wales; because of Frederick's influence at court, evicted with husband from their palace apartments by King George; gave birth to 9 children in 14 years, before death of husband (1751); was heavily influential in the life of royal son, future George III, and heavily influenced by her close friend, the earl of Bute.
See also Women in World History.