D'Este Family: Papers

This series comprises some of the family papers of Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, his wife Augusta nee Murray and their children Augustus Frederick and Augusta Emma D'Este.

The documents, which cover the dates 1793 to 1853, consist largely of journals and diaries, a series of Augusta Murray's account books, and a collection of letters. They cover a wide range of subjects, both purely domestic, and matters of contemporary national interest.

In 1831 Augustus d'Este filed a Bill in Chancery in an attempt to validate his parents' marriage. This was unsuccessful. Documents referring to this can be found in HO 44/24

• Este, Augustus Frederick, 1773-1843
• Este, Augusta Murray, 1768-1830
• Este family

Topics

Children

Diaries

Personal and family papers

Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, was the sixth son of George III. Augustus married Augusta, second daughter of John Murray, fourth Earl of Dunmore. They were married at Rome in April 1793, and again at St George's, Hanover Square in December 1793. The marriage was declared invalid in August 1794, under the Royal Marriage Act 1772. Augusta died in 1830; Prince Augustus outlived her until 1843.

The couple had in 1794 a son, Augustus Frederick, who pursued a military career. He was made lieutenant colonel in 1824, and colonel in 1838. In 1830 he was knighted by William IV. He died, unmarried, in 1848. A daughter, Augusta Emma, was born in 1801. She married, in 1845, Thomas Wilde, first Baron Truro, and died in 1866.

Augusta Murray took the name of de Ameland, by royal licence, in 1806, her family being descended from the ancient family of that name. Her children, however, took the name of d'Este at Prince Augustus' insistence, this being a family name connected with the Duchy of Brunswick and the Elector of Hanover.