Style His Royal Highness
Sir Formation 1716 | Inaugural holder Prince Ernest Augustus Salary Undisclosed | |
Appointer Monarch of Great Britain Term length Life tenure or until accession as Sovereign | ||
Duke of York and Albany was a title of nobility in the Peerage of Great Britain. In the 18th century it was, when granted, usually given to the second son of British monarchs. The predecessor titles in the English and Scottish peerage were Duke of York and Duke of Albany.
Contents
History
The individual dukedoms of York and of Albany had previously each been created several times in the Peerages of England and of Scotland respectively. Each had become a traditional title of the second son of the monarch, and had become traditional united (but separately awarded) in the House of Stuart.
During the 18th century the double dukedom of York and Albany was created a number of times in the Peerage of Great Britain. The title was first held by Duke Ernest Augustus of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Bishop of Osnabrück, the youngest brother of King George I. He died without heirs. The second creation of the Dukedom of York and Albany was for Prince Edward, younger brother of King George III, who also died without heirs, having never married. The third and last creation of the Dukedom of York and Albany was for Prince Frederick Augustus, the second son of King George III. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army for many years, and was the original "Grand old Duke of York" in the popular rhyme. He too died without heirs.
Every time the Dukedom of York and Albany has been created it has had only one occupant, that person either inheriting the throne or dying without male heirs.
Third creation, 1784–1827
Queen Victoria granted the title Duke of Albany (single geographic designation) to her 4th son, Prince Leopold, in 1881, and the title Duke of York (single geographic designation) to her eldest son's second (but by then eldest living) son, Prince George, in 1892.