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What happened to Prince Frederick?

Published in Royal Deaths 1 min read

Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales, died at Leicester House on March 31, 1751, at the age of 44.

His passing marked the end of a life where his political ambitions remained unfulfilled. The circumstances surrounding his death have been subject to different interpretations over time.

Details of His Demise

Prince Frederick's death occurred at Leicester House, his residence in London.

Detail Description
Location Leicester House
Date March 31, 1751 (Gregorian Calendar)
March 20, 1751 (Old Style Calendar)
Age at Death 44 years old

Understanding the Cause of Death

The exact cause of Prince Frederick's death has been a subject of historical discussion:

  • Past Attribution: For a period, it was commonly believed that he died from a burst lung abscess. This was often attributed to an injury sustained from being hit by a cricket ball or a real tennis ball.
  • Current Understanding: Modern medical and historical analysis now suggests that the more probable cause of his death was a pulmonary embolism.

This revised understanding highlights how historical medical diagnoses can evolve with new insights and information.