Prince Augustus William of Prussia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Augustus William of Prussia |
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Portrait by Antoine Pesne
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| Born | 9 August 1722 Stadtschloss, Berlin, Prussia |
| Died | 12 June 1758 (aged 35) Oranienburg, Prussia |
| Spouse |
Luise of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
(m. 1742) |
| Issue | Frederick William II of Prussia Prince Henry Wilhelmina, Princess of Orange Prince Emil |
| House | Hohenzollern |
| Father | Frederick William I of Prussia |
| Mother | Sophia Dorothea of Hanover |
Prince Augustus William of Prussia (born August 9, 1722 – died June 12, 1758) was a royal prince from Prussia. He was the son of King Frederick William I of Prussia. He was also the younger brother of Frederick the Great, who later became King of Prussia.
Augustus was the second son of King Frederick William I and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. He had several older siblings. These included Wilhelmina, Frederick II, Friedrike Louise, and Louisa Ulrika.
Augustus was well-liked by his father, King Frederick William I. He was also popular at the royal court in Prussia. When his brother Frederick became king in 1740, Augustus was next in line to the throne. He moved into the Crown Prince's Palace in Berlin. In 1744, his sister Louisa Ulrika married the King of Sweden. She created a special award called the Ordre de l'Harmonie, and Augustus was one of the first people to receive it.
Augustus served as a general in the Prussian army. He fought for his brother, King Frederick, in the War of the Austrian Succession. He showed great bravery and skill in the Battle of Hohenfriedberg. However, during the Seven Years' War, things went wrong for him. In 1757, he made a difficult retreat during the Battle of Kolin. This made his brother, the King, very angry. Augustus then left the army. This disagreement between the brothers was later written about in letters published in 1769.
Contents
Life of Prince Augustus William
Early Life and Family
Prince Augustus William was born into the House of Hohenzollern. This was the royal family that ruled Prussia. He grew up in a time when Prussia was becoming a powerful country. His father, King Frederick William I, was known as the "Soldier King." He focused on building a strong army.
Augustus William had a close relationship with his family. His brother Frederick II became one of the most famous kings in Prussian history. Augustus was always supportive of his brother, even when they had disagreements.
Military Career and Challenges
As a prince, Augustus William was expected to serve in the military. He rose through the ranks to become a general. He fought in important battles that shaped Europe. His early success in the War of the Austrian Succession showed his potential.
However, the Seven Years' War was a very tough conflict. The Battle of Kolin was a difficult moment for the Prussian army. Augustus William's actions during this battle led to his withdrawal from military service. This was a sad end to his time as a general.
Marriage and Children
Prince Augustus William married Duchess Luise of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. They had four children together. Their oldest son, Frederick William II of Prussia, became very important. Since Augustus's older brother, King Frederick II, had no children, Augustus's son inherited the throne. He became the next King of Prussia after his uncle died.
Augustus William's Children
- Frederick William II of Prussia (1744–1797): He became King of Prussia.
- He first married Duchess Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg. They had one daughter, Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia (1767–1820). She later married Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, who was the son of George III of the United Kingdom.
- He later married Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt and had more children.
- Prince Henry of Prussia (1747–1767): He died young and did not marry.
- Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia (1751–1820): She married William V, Prince of Orange and had children.
- Prince Emil of Prussia (1758–1759): He died when he was a baby.
Death of Prince Augustus William
Augustus William died suddenly in 1758. He passed away in Oranienburg. For a long time, some people believed he died from a "broken heart." They thought this was because of the harsh way his brother, King Frederick II, treated him after the Battle of Kolin. However, doctors later found the real reason for his death. He actually died from a brain tumor.
See also
- German nobility
- Junker
