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Field Marshal HRH George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge
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Field Marshal HRH George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge
5925111 Field Marshal HRH George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, 1862 circa (oil on canvas) by Lucas, John (1807-74); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Field Marshal HRH George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, 1862 circa.
Oil on canvas by John Lucas (1807-1874), 1862 circa.
The Duke of Cambridge (1819-1904) became a field marshal in 1862, an event probably commemorated by this portrait. Cambridge was a warm, kind man, with a remarkable capacity for hard work and a passion for military traditions. His morganatic marriage to the actress Louisa Fairbrother, thereafter known as Mrs FitzGeorge, was never officially recognised, but he was buried beside her at Kensal Green Cemetery rather than in the royal vaults at Windsor Castle.
The eldest grandson of King George III and the last to die, Prince George of Cambridge was a cousin of Queen Victoria. He entered the British Army in 1837, serving with various regiments in Gibraltar, England and Ireland. He succeeded his father as 2nd Duke in 1850. The Crimean War (1854-1856) provided his long-awaited opportunity for active service. In 1854 he commanded the British 1st Division, but his leadership of this formation at the Battle of the Alma was questionable and showed his lack of field experience. He was also present at the battles of Balaklava and Inkerman, where he showed conspicuous bravery and had a horse shot under him. Invalided back to Britain with exhaustion at the end of 1854, he was mentioned in despatches and received the thanks of Parliament.
For 39 years, from 1856 to 1895, the Duke of Cambridge was Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and completed nearly 60 yearsA military service before he was forced to retire. Although keenly interested in the ArmyAs organisation and administration, he was opposed to many of the reforms introduced during the 1870s and 1880s.); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 23264882
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Field Marshal HRH George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, painted by John Lucas in 1862. The portrait captures the commanding presence and distinguished demeanor of the Duke, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army during that time. Known for his warm personality and strong work ethic, the Duke of Cambridge had a deep passion for military traditions. This painting likely commemorates his promotion to field marshal in 1862, a significant milestone in his career. Despite being buried beside his morganatic wife Louisa Fairbrother at Kensal Green Cemetery instead of Windsor Castle's royal vaults due to their unrecognized marriage, the Duke left an indelible mark on British history. As Queen Victoria's cousin and eldest grandson of King George III, Prince George entered the British Army in 1837 and participated in various campaigns before gaining active service experience during the Crimean War. Though he faced criticism for his leadership at certain battles like Alma, he displayed bravery and resilience at Balaklava and Inkerman. The Duke's dedication to military service was unparalleled; he held the position of Commander-in-Chief from 1856 until retirement in 1895 after nearly six decades serving his country. While deeply interested in army organization and administration, he often opposed reforms introduced during the late nineteenth century. This remarkable portrait immortalizes a man whose commitment to duty shaped Britain's military landscape for generations to come.
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