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Michael asked in Society & CultureRoyalty · 1 decade ago

Why don't the Dukes of Albany and Cumberland claim their Dukedoms?

In 1917, King George V of the UK stripped the Duke of Albany and the Duke of Cumberland of their dukedoms because these 2 members of the extended British Royal Family lived in Germany and supported Germany during WW1 against Britain. However their heirs, also members of the extended British Royal Family and in the Line of Succession to the British throne, are free to request that the dukedoms be restored. The Duke of Albany would be Hubertus Prinz von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha (German Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) and the Duke of Cumberland would be Ernst August V, Prince of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick. Ernst happens to be the current husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco. (Since Caroline is Catholic, Ernst is no longer in the Line of Succession to the UK throne, but his children by his previous wife are). So what gives? It's been almost 100 years since WW1 and since these dukedoms are still being held in reserve for these guys restoration shouldn't be a problem. In fact their respective fathers and grandfathers could have asked for restoration. It's not like they don't play by British Royalty rules, Ernst even asked Queen Elizabeth's permission to marry Caroline

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  • Paco
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Ernst calls himself a Prince of Great Britain as the title was given to his father by his grandfather. His grandfather felt he had the right as the head of the Hanover Royal House which had previously ruled Great Britain.

    As you said, Ernst also complied with the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 as a descendant of King George II and asked if he could marry Caroline. She formally gave her consent.

    They must be afraid that they will lose the battle. It is easier to be the titular Duke then to be the one who lost the legal battle.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Well right now Hubertus Prinz von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha has the name the Duke of Albany, even if he doesn't claim it as he has a right to claim the Dukedom since he's the only one alive who can claim it.

    Same goes for the Duke of Cumberland, Ernst August, Prince of Hanover basically has the right to be called Duke of Cumberland whether it's restored or not. In reality he is the Duke of Cumberland but in the royal reality he's just the Prince of Hanover.

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