History of the River Thames Visitor Centre

The "Duke of Cambridge" Thames Lighter, circa 1900

Twelve great Victorian Thames Lighters were named to honour the twelve children of King George III.

Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Prince Adolphus was born in Buckingham Palace. He was tutored at home before being sent to the University of Gottingen in Germany in 1786. In 1791, he went to Hanover to receive military training and rose to Colonel in 1794. By 1803, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the newly founded King's German Legion. King George III created him Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Tipperary and Baron of Culloden on 17th November 1801. The Duke served as Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards from 1805 (Coldstream Guards after 1855).

The Duke of Cambridge was married first at Kessel and then at Buckingham Palace to his second cousin Augusta (1797 - 1889), the third daughter of Prince Fredrick of Hesse. The Duke was the maternal grandfather of Mary of Teck, consort of George V. Prince Adolphus is therefore the great-great-grandfather of our gracious Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke of Cambridge was buried at Kew Gardens, (take a trip to find his monument), later his remains were moved to St Georges Chapel, Windsor.

Adolphus had a son, Prince George the Second Duke of Cambridge (1819 - 1904). George was born at Cambridge House in Hanover, Germany. The Second Duke was educated in Hanover and like his father served in both the German and British military. He was appointed General Commander- in-Chief of the British Army from 1856 to1887. There is a statue of the Second Duke on Whitehall, London. He married in contravention of the 1772 Royal Marriages Act; so with his death in1904 the title of the Duke of Cambridge became extinct.

In Memory of Prince Adolphus - one of the twelve.