Duke of Gloucester

For the 1954 steam locomotive of the same name, see BR Standard Class 8.

HRH Prince Richard, the current Duke of Gloucester

Duke of Gloucester ( /ˈɡlɒstər/) is a British royal title (after Gloucester), often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England, the next in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the last in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; this current creation carries with it the subsidiary titles of Earl of Ulster and Baron Culloden.

The title was first conferred on Thomas of Woodstock, the thirteenth child of King Edward III. The title became extinct at his death, as it did upon the death of the Duke of the second creation, Humphrey of Lancaster, fourth son of King Henry IV.

The title was next conferred on Richard Plantagenet, brother to King Edward IV. When Richard himself became King, the dukedom merged into the crown. After Richard's death, the title was considered ominous, since the first three such Dukes had all died without issue to inherit their titles. The title was not awarded for over 150 years, the next to receive the dukedom being the son of King Charles I, Henry Stuart, upon whose death the title became officially extinct.

William, son of Queen Anne, was styled "Duke of Gloucester" for his whole life (1689–1700), but was never created Duke. Frederick, Prince of Wales was styled "Duke of Gloucester" from 1718–1726, but was then created Duke of Edinburgh rather than of Gloucester.

The next actual creation was for the brother of George III, Prince William Henry, the full title being "Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh".

The fifth and final creation was for Prince Henry, son of George V. Upon Prince Henry's death, the dukedom was inherited by his son Prince Richard, who still holds the title. The heir to the title is presently Alexander Windsor, styled Earl of Ulster. The next in the line of succession is the Earl of Ulster's infant son Xan Windsor, known by his grandfather's third title of Lord Culloden.

There is a preserved steam locomotive called Duke of Gloucester.

Dukes of Gloucester, first Creation (1385)

also: Duke of Aumale (1385–1397), Earl of Essex (1376–1397), Earl of Buckingham (1377)

• Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1355–1397), fifth son of Edward III, his titles were forfeit upon his murder (whilst awaiting trial for treason) in 1397
  • His male line died out with the death of his only son Humphrey, 2nd Earl of Buckingham without issue in 1399

Dukes of Gloucester, second Creation (1414)

also: Earl of Pembroke (1414)

• Humphrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1390–1447), fourth son of Henry IV Bolingbroke, died without surviving male issue in 1447

King Richard III held the title of Duke of Gloucester from 1461 until his accession in 1483

Dukes of Gloucester, third Creation (1461)

• Richard, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1452–1485), brother of Edward IV, succeeded his nephew as Richard III in 1483, at which point his honours merged with the crown

Dukes of Gloucester, fourth Creation (1659)

also: Earl of Cambridge (1659)

• Henry Stuart, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1640–1660), third son of Charles I, died in 1660 without heirs

styled Dukes of Gloucester

• Prince William, Duke of Gloucester (1689–1700), only son of Princess Anne (then-heiress apparent, later Queen Anne), was styled Duke of Gloucester for all of his life, but he died before he was officially created as such

• Prince Frederick, Duke of Gloucester (1707–1751), eldest son of The Prince George, Prince of Wales (later George II), was styled Duke of Gloucester from 1718–1726. In 1726, he was instead created Duke of Edinburgh, in 1727, he became Duke of Cornwall and was created Prince of Wales in 1729

Dukes of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1764)

also: Earl of Connaught (1764)

• Prince William, 1st Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1743–1805), third son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and brother of George III
• Prince William, 2nd Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776–1834), only son of the 1st duke, died without issue

Dukes of Gloucester, fifth Creation (1928)

also: Earl of Ulster, Baron Culloden (1928)

• The Prince Henry, 1st Duke of Gloucester (1900–1974), third son of George V
• Prince Richard, 2nd Duke of Gloucester (b. 1944), second son of the 1st duke, whose only brother predeceased their father without issue

Line of succession

1. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (b. 1974), Prince Richard's only son
2. Xan Windsor, Lord Culloden (b. 2007), Lord Ulster's only son

See also

• Prince William, Duke of Gloucester
• List of dukedoms by reign

External links

• Duke of Gloucester

See also Earl of Gloucester.