Aubrey FitzClarence, 4th Earl of Munster

Aubrey FitzClarence, 4th Earl of Munster, (7 June 1862 – 1 January 1928), was an English aristocrat, and, like his brother, Geoffrey, the great-grandson of King William IV by his mistress Dorothea Jordan.

Family

Born in Kensington, London, Aubrey was the son of William FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of Munster (19 May 1824 – 30 April 1901) and Wilhelmina Kennedy-Erskine (27 June 1830 – 9 October 1906). His parents were first cousins, thus making Geoffrey a great-grandson of William IV twice over. His grandfather on his paternal side was Lord George Augustus FitzClarence and his grandmother on his maternal side was Lady Augusta FitzClarence, who were brother and sister.

Aubrey's brother, Geoffrey, inherited the title of Earl of Munster, as well as those of Baron Tewkesbury and Viscount Fitz-Clarence, when their father died in 1901.^[1] However, Geoffrey was serving in the British Army overseas at the time, and he died nine months later in South Africa, without ever having made it back to England.^[1]

Earldom

As Geoffrey died childless, the titles came to younger brother Aubrey on 2 February 1902.^[2] Aubrey had held the office of Gentleman Usher-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria from 1885 to 1901 and to King Edward VII from 23 July 1901 until 7 February 1902, shortly after inheriting the earldom.^[2][3] At that time, Aubrey resigned the office.^[4]

Aubrey died unmarried at the age of 65.^[2] His nephew, Geoffrey William Richard Hugh FitzClarence, became the 5th Earl of Munster.^[5]

References