Page 38 - Spring 2019
P. 38
A portrait miniature of William Frederick The 2nd Duke of Gloucester (1776-1834) By William Wood circa 1800
Wearing undress uniform with the Star of the Garter
Set in a gold frame, the reverse with locks of brown plaited hair within gold mount studded with gold pellets on blue glass (minor chip)
William entered the army with the rank of colonel the age of thirteen in 1789, and was rapidly promoted further through the ranks: he was made major-general at twenty, lieutenant-general in twenty-three, general at thirty-two, and field marshal by the time he was forty. In 1816, he married Princess Mary, his cousin, and the fourth daughter of George III. His rather comical appearance made him the butt of cartoonists, to whom he was known as Slice of Gloucester and Cheese.
This miniature appears to be based on the portrait painted by Sir William Beechey. William was a great-grandson of King George II and nephew and son-in-law of King George III
On 22 July 1816, he married Princess Mary, his cousin and the fourth daughter of George III
5249 (M46) £ 6,000
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