He was replaced by Reverend John Ryle Wood in 1828 for the next eight years, who also encouraged the prince to keep a journal. However, George narrowly escaped being murdered in his sleep by one of his tutors, Mr Welsh, who was declared insane and immediately sent to an asylum. This devastating news was brought to his distraught father who did not know what else to do, except force the boy to drink a glass of Steinberger wine! To everyone’s surprise, Prince George’s health began to improve, his fever dropped, but he suffered from poor health for many years as a result of the illness’ effect. Doctors feared for the little prince’s life when he became dangerously ill with scarlet fever. George spent his childhood in Hanover, but he did not escape the usual childhood illnesses. The Duke of Clarence represented the Prince Regent whilst the Earl of Mayo stood proxy for him! The Prince Regent (later George IV), the Duke of Clarence and the Queen of Württemberg were chosen as godparents for George when he was christened, in a Church of England service, by Reverend John Sandford, the Duke’s chaplain. The little prince was named in honour of his grandfather and he was the heir-presumptive until his cousin Queen Victoria was born two months later.

Heir-Presumptive by Henry Edward Dawe, after Tielemann, mezzotint, published 1830 His parents were Prince Adolphus, who was created Duke of Cambridge in 1801, and Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel. Recent reports in the British media claimed the royal baby would be the first ever Prince of Cambridge were incorrect.Īctually it was His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, who was born 26 March 1819 in Hanover, Germany.

The Young Victoria by Alison Plowden