| Collection | Frederick and Augusta, Prince and Princess of Wales |
| Admin History | Frederick was the eldest, but estranged, son, of George II and Caroline of Ansbach. Frederick arrived in England in 1728 and assumed the title of Prince of Wales in 1729. He married Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha on 27 April 1736 with whom he had 9 children including the future George III. Having actively prevented Queen Caroline attending the birth of his first child - a breach of royal protocol - tensions within the family reached their height. Frederick also supported a rival Court of opposition politicians in defiance of his father. Frederick died 1751 aged 44 following a short, unknown, illness. After the death of her husband, Augusta, Princess Dowager retreated from public life continuing to live with her children despite offers by George II to grant her sons Prince George and Prince Edward their own establishments. She died in 1772. |
| Custodial History | Volume of letters concerning Frederick, Prince of Wales to Thomas Bootle (GEO/MAIN/54024-54126) purchased 1934; the accounts of Princess Augusta (GEO/MAIN/55422-55661) are believed to have been purchased in 1939 along with other documents from the Hartwell sale referenced GEO/MAIN/73956-73999, 74029-74031, 74156-74157. |