Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester
A great-granddaughter of King George II, Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester was born on 29th May 1773.
Sophia was the only surviving daughter born of a secret marriage between Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and his wife Maria Walpole.
Her father was the brother of King George III, and It wasn’t until Maria fell pregnant, that their illicit union became known to the king.
King George III was hurt by his brother’s deceitfulness and instigated an investigation into the validity of the marriage.
William and Maria had married just six days before Sophia was born.
Despite her condition, a heavily pregnany Maria had to appear before a hearing of the Privy Council to give testimony about her marriage.
Finally, the King conceded and declared the marriage was legal and valid.
Feeling betrayed and angry at the deception, the king enforced a ruling that the Duke and his family should not be admitted to the royal household.
The resulting rift between William and his brother, was quite long-lasting, although not permanent.
With the pomp and ceremony of a royal christening denied, a private baptism for their baby girl was held with just some family and friends in attendance.
Still in his brother’s bad graces, William took his family to the continent, where they remained for a good many years.
Here, they welcomed a little boy to the family, Sophia’s beloved brother, William.
Eventually the Duke and Duchess and their children returned to England, where the king and his brother were reconciled.
However, the king never personally accepted his brother’s wife, Maria.
As Sophia grew older, she matured into a young lady of culture, intelligence and charm.
She was well-liked by those who knew her.
Marriage prospects came and went, but Sophia had no intention of marrying anyone.
After Sophia’s brother married Princess Mary in 1816, Sophie was a frequent visitor to their home, Bagshot Park.
However Princess Mary resented Sophia’s interfering behaviour, which caused quite an issue with her husband.
When William died quite suddenly in 1834, Sophia was devastated.
Princess Mary made sure that Sophia was not her companion, in her widowhood.
At the age 40 Sophia was named Ranger of Greenwich Park, the second woman to hold the post.
Sophia became hugely popular with the people of Greenwich, who saw her as a kind and generous benefactor to the town’s poor.
Sophie died well-loved and respected by all who knew her, on 29th November 1844, aged 71.
