The Princess Elizabeth (22 May 1770 ? 10 January 1840) was a member of the British Royal Family, the 7th child and 3rd daughter of George III of the United Kingdom.

Early life

The Princess Elizabeth was born at Buckingham Palace, London. Her father was the reigning British monarch, George III, the eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Her mother was Queen Charlotte (née Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz).

The Princess' upbringing was very sheltered and she spent most of her time with her parents and sisters. King George and Queen Charlotte were keen to shelter their children, particularly the girls. However, in 1812, Princess Elizabeth purchased The Priory at Old Windsor in Berkshire as her private residence.

Marriage

During a ball in the British royal court in 1814 Elisabeth got to know the German Prince Frederick of Hesse-Homburg. When Elisabeth saw the Austrian officer in his elegant Hussar's uniform, she is supposed to have said: "If he is single, I will marry him!". Against all resistance the wedding took place on 7 April 1818 in the private chapel in Buckingham Palace in Westminster. It wasn't a real "love match", in spite of the mutual understanding and respect; in fact it was an agreement with which both well managed. Elisabeth moved to Germany with her husband.

Later life

On 20 January 1820, Frederick succeeded his father as the Landgraf of Hesse-Homburg. After this, he had to redevelop thanks to the dowry and the annual allowance of his wife, who left him enough money to the Homburg court. However, Elisabeth (now The Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg) could say goodbye to the rigid court etiquette and -today one would say- even realize.

She died on 10 January 1840 at age 69 in Frankfurt-am-Main, Hesse, Germany. She was buried in Mausoleum of the Landgraves, Homburg, Germany.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

• 22 May 1770 ? 7 April 1818: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth
• 7 April 1818 ? 20 January 1820: Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Princess of Hesse-Homburg^[1]
• 20 January 1820 ? 10 January 1840: Her Royal Highness The Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg

Arms

As of 1789, as a daughter of the sovereign, Elizabeth had use of the arms of the kingdom, differenced by a label argent of three points, the centre point bearing a cross gules, the outer points each bearing a rose gules.^[2]

Ancestors

References

1. ↑ The London Gazette: 25 April; 19 May 1818
2. ↑ Marks of Cadency in the British Royal Family

• Michael A. Beatty (2003), The English Royal Family of America, from Jamestown to the American Revolution, p. 207

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