Edgar Stuart, Duke of Cambridge facts for kids

Edgar Stuart, Duke of Cambridge (born 14 September 1667 – died 8 June 1671) was a young prince from the Stuart family. He was the fourth son of James, Duke of York (who later became King James II of England) and his first wife, Anne Hyde. At the time of his birth, Edgar was second in line to become the King of both England and Scotland.

Life as a Prince

Edgar was born on 14 September 1667 at St James's Palace in London. He was given the name "Edgar," which was a very old royal name in both England and Scotland.

Just a few weeks after his birth, on 7 October 1667, Edgar was given several important titles. He became the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Cambridge, and the Baron of Dauntsey. These titles showed his high rank in the royal family.

Edgar had two older brothers who also held the title of Duke of Cambridge before him. One brother, named Charles, died very young in 1661. Another brother, James, was formally made Duke of Cambridge but also passed away in 1667, just before Edgar was born. Because of this, Edgar received the title.

Sadly, Edgar's mother, Anne Hyde, was not well for many months after he was born. She never fully got better and passed away on 13 March 1671. Edgar himself died a few months later, on 8 June 1671, at Richmond Palace. His death led to a period of official mourning across the country.

He was buried in the royal vault at Westminster Abbey on 12 June 1671. His coffin was placed right on top of his mother's.

Legacy and Namesake

Even though Prince Edgar lived only a short time, his name lives on. The town of Edgartown, Massachusetts, in North America, was named after him. This town is located on Martha's Vineyard.

The town was settled in 1642 but was officially named Edgartown when it became an incorporated town in 1671. This happened shortly before the news of Edgar's death reached North America. At that time, Martha's Vineyard was part of a special colony called New York. This colony had been given to Edgar's father, the Duke of York, by King Charles II in 1664.

Royal Coat of Arms

Coat of arms as Duke of Cambridge

As a grandson of a British King, Edgar had his own special coat of arms. A coat of arms is a unique design that represents a family or a person of high rank. Edgar's coat of arms was based on the royal arms of the kingdom. It had a special white band with five points, each decorated with small black spots, to show his place in the royal family.