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Her Royal Highness Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (Mary Adelaide Wilhelmina Elizabeth), ( November 27, 1833 - October 27, 1897), was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of King George III. She later held the title of Duchess of Teck by marriage.Mary Adelaide is remembered as the mother of Queen Mary, the consort of King George V. She was one of the first Royals to patronize a wide number of charities.
1 Early Life
Mary Adelaide was born on November 27, 1833 in Hanover, Germany. Her father was His Royal Highness Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, the youngest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Her mother was Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge (nee Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel), the daughter of Friedrich III, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel.
Mary Adelaide spent the early years of her life in Hanover, Germany where her father acted as viceroy in place of her uncles King George IV and later King William IVWilliam IV (William Henry) ( 21 August 1765 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. William, the son of George III and younger brother and successor of George IV, was the penultimate monarch of the Ho. Her love of food and tendency to overeat led her to become seriously overweight, and her subsequent nickname, Fat Mary.
After the death of King William IV, Mary Adelaide's cousin, Princess Victoria of Kent ascended the throne in 1837Events January 10 DePauw University founded in Greencastle, Indiana January 26 Michigan is admitted as the 26th U. State February 8 Richard Johnson becomes the first Vice President of the United States chosen by the United States Senate February 11 Americ. However Salic lawThe Salic Law ( Lat. Lex Salica was a body of law codified to govern the Salian Franks in the early 5th century during the reign of Clovis I. It was the basis for the laws of Charlemagne, but by the 12th century, both the Frankish kings and their laws wer prevented Victoria from ascending the throne of Hanover, which instead passed to The Duke of CumberlandErnest Augustus I, King of Hanover ( 5 June 1771 18 November 1851), also known (1799-1837) as the Duke of Cumberland was the fifth son and eighth child of King George III of the United Kingdom and Queen Charlotte. His Royal Highness Field Marshal The Prin. Thus the Duke of Cambridge was no longer needed in Hanover and returned to London with his family, setting up residence in Kensington Palace.
2 Marriage
By the age of 30, Mary Adelaide was still unmarried. Her unattractive appearance and lack of income were contributing factors, as were her advancing ages. However her royal rank prevented her marrying someone not of royal blood. Her cousin Queen Victoria took pity on her, and attempted to arrange pairings.
Eventually a suitable candidate was found in Württemberg, His Serene Highness Prince Francis, Duke of Teck. Francis was of lower royal rank than Mary Adelaide, and was also the product of a morganatic marriage and had no succession rights to the throne of Württemberg. However with no other options available, Mary Adelaide decided to marry him. The couple were married on June 12, 1866, at Kew Church, Surrey.
The Duke and Duchess of Teck had four children:
