Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.
The earldom of Cumberland had been created in 1525, but became extinct in 1643. The first creation of the dukedom, in the Peerage of England, was in 1644 for Prince Rupert of the Rhine, nephew of King Charles I. When he died without male heirs, the title was created again in the Peerage of England in 1689 for Prince George of Denmark, husband of Princess Anne, younger daughter of King James II. He also died without heirs, in 1708. Neither of these men, however, was usually known by their peerage title.
The third creation, in the Peerage of Great Britain, was for Prince William, the third son of King George II. Other titles granted to Prince William were Marquess of Berkhampstead, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. Since the Prince died unmarried and without children, his titles became extinct at his death.
The titles Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn and Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale were later created in the Peerage of Great Britain.
The sole title-holder was Prince Henry, the third son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. He died without legitimate issue, and the dukedom again became extinct.
This double dukedom, in the Peerage of Great Britain, was bestowed on Ernest Augustus (later King of Hanover). In 1919 it was suspended under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917 and, as of 2016[update], had not been restored to its titular heir.