Queen Adelaide

Queen Adelaide was born on the 13th of August, 1792. The eldest daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, her home was his small, but liberal and progressive German Duchy. In 1818, at the age of 25, Adelaide married the much older Duke of Clarence a possible heir to the English crown. Although the nature of her marriage was not conducive to a loving relationship, Adelaide remained devoted to her husband and was considered a positive influence on him. Although, none of Adelaide’s own children lived past the age of one, she took a great interest in the King’s ten illegitimate children, known as the FitzClarence’s as well as her niece Victoria. Her husband became King in 1830, after the death of his brother King George IV. He died after a short reign lasting 7 years, leaving Queen Adelaide as the first Queen Dowager in England for over a century. Throughout her life, Adelaide was well thought of for her generosity and kindness, reportedly giving an estimated £20,000 per year to charity as well as financially supporting the construction of a cathedral in the city of Adelaide, South Australia. Queen Adelaide died on the 2nd of December 1849.