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.
History The individual dukedoms of York and of Albany had previously each been created several times in the Peerages of England and 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.Balfour Paul, The Scots Peerage, vol. I, pp. 32–34.Cokayne, Complete Peerage, vol. III, pp. 367–368.
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.Cokayne, Complete Peerage, vol. III, pp. 367–368.
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.Balfour Paul, The Scots Peerage, vol. I, pp. 32–33. The third and final 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 issues.Hibbert, Christopher, George III: A Personal History, pp. 45–50.Cokayne, Complete Peerage, vol. III, pp. 371–372.
Each time 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 grandson (second but by then only living) Prince George, the future George V.Clay, p. 149
List of Dukes of York and Albany First creation (1716–1728)
Duke Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death Succession Arms Prince Ernest AugustusHouse of Hanover1716–1728also Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück (1715),Earl of Ulster (1716) 7 September 1674OsnabrückSon of Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanoverand Princess Sophia of the Palatinate Never Married 14 August 1728Osnabrückaged 53 The son of Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover;younger brother of George I Prince Ernest died without issue; and all his titles became extinct on his death.
Second creation (1760–1767)
Duke Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death Succession Arms Prince EdwardHouse of Hanover1760–1767also Earl of Ulster (1760) 25 March 1739Norfolk HouseSon of Frederick, Prince of Walesand Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg Never Married 17 September 1767Prince's Palace of Monacoaged 28 The second son of Frederick, Prince of Wales;younger brother of George III Prince Edward died without issue; and all his titles became extinct on his death.
Third creation (1784–1827)
Duke Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death Succession Arms The Prince FrederickHouse of Hanover1784–1827also Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück (1764-1803),Earl of Ulster (1784) 16 August 1763St James's PalaceSon of George IIIand Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia29 September 1791No children 5 January 1827Rutland Houseaged 63 The second son of George III Prince Frederick died without legitimate issue, having separated from his only wife Princess Frederica Charlotte, but was rumoured to have fathered several illegitimate children; and all his titles became extinct on his death.
Family tree
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