Maria Walpole
Maria Walpole (
1736–
August 22,
1807), the
Countess Waldegrave and
Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, was a member of the
British Royal Family, the wife of
Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Her marriage to the Duke without the knowledge of
King George III led to the passing of the
Royal Marriages Act 1772.
Maria Walpole was the daughter of
Edward Walpole and Dorothy Clements. Her grandfather was
Robert Walpole, considered to be the first
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (
1721-
41). Her parents were not married, and her
illegitimate status hindered her social standing despite her family connections.
On
May 15,
1759, she married
James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave, the son of
James Waldegrave, 1st Earl Waldegrave and Mary Webbe. After her marriage Maria was styled
Countess Waldegrave. The Earl Waldegrave died on
April 28,
1763, leaving Maria a widow.
On
September 6,
1766 she married
Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (
November 14,
1743 -
August 25,
1805) at her home in
Pall Mall,
London. The Duke was the third son of
The Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales and a brother of King George III. The marriage was conducted in secret as the British Royal Family would not have approved of a marriage between a Royal Prince and a widow of non-royal rank and illegitimate birth.
Their marriage, and that of the Duke's other brother,
Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, led to the passing of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, which would require all the descendants of King George II to seek the Sovereign's approval before marriage. However the provisions could not be applied retrospectively, thus Maria and the Duke's wedding was considered legal by Parliament. As such, Maria became styled
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh. Due to the anger of King George III at the marriage, the Duchess of Gloucester was never received at court.
Titles
*
1736-1759: Maria Walpole
*
1759-1763: The Countess Waldegrave
*
1763-1766: The Dowager Countess Waldegrave
*
1766-1805:
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh
*
1805-1807:
Her Royal Highness The Dowager Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh
