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Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (1660–1661)

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See also: Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (born 1677)

Charles Stuart
Duke of Cambridge
Born22 October 1660
Worcester House, London
Died(1661-05-05)5 May 1661 (aged 6 months 13 days)
Whitehall Palace, London
Burial6 May 1661
Westminster Abbey
HouseStuart
FatherJames, Duke of York (later James II & VII)
MotherAnne Hyde

Charles Stuart (22 October 1660 – 5 May 1661) was the first of four sons and eight children born from the marriage between the Duke of York (later King James II of England & VII of Scotland) and his first wife, Anne Hyde. He was styled Duke of Cambridge, but never formally created so, as he died before his first birthday. He was second in line to the English and Scottish thrones.

Life

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Charles was born on 22 October 1660, as the first child of James, Duke of York (later King James VII & II), and his wife Anne Hyde. Charles was styled as Duke of Cambridge, a title that had never been granted until his birth.[1] Charles was conceived seven months before his parents' marriage and if royal advisors and his paternal grandmother, Queen Henrietta Maria, had had their way, he could have been declared illegitimate.[2] King Charles II, James's older brother, approved of the marriage and the wedding between James and Anne was held on 3 September 1660 in London. Charles was baptized on 1 January 1661 at Worcester House.

Although Cambridge's father James was heir presumptive, it seemed unlikely that he'd inherit the Crown, as Cambridge's uncle, the reigning Charles II, was still a young man who was capable of fathering children of his own.[3] And though Charles II didn't end up having any legitimate children, Charles, Duke of Cambridge never ended up becoming King himself, as he died on 5 May 1661, before reaching the age of one, after becoming ill with smallpox. He was buried in Westminster Abbey the following day. The duke's death would be the first in a series of most of King James VII & II's legitimate children dying young. Three of his younger brothers, likewise short-lived, were also called Duke of Cambridge: James, Edgar, and Charles. His younger sisters, Mary II and Anne, became Queens respectively.

Arms

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See adjacent text
Coat of arms as Duke of Cambridge

During his short life, Charles bore a coat of arms, as a grandson of a British sovereign, consisting those of the kingdom, differenced by a label argent of five points ermine.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Zatz, Sydney (29 October 2020). "History of Royal Titles: the Dukedom of Cambridge". Royal Central. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  2. ^ Panton 2011, p. 455.
  3. ^ Callow (2000), p. 89.
  4. ^ "Marks of Cadency in the British Royal family". Retrieved 27 December 2011.

Bibliography

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Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (1660–1661)
Cadet branch of the Clan Stewart
Born: 22 October 1660 Died: 5 May 1661
Peerage of England
New title Duke of Cambridge
22 October 1660 – 5 May 1661 		Vacant
Title next held by
James Stuart
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