James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave

Who was James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave?

James Waldegrave, 2nd Earl Waldegrave KG PC FRS was a British statesman.

The eldest son of the 1st Earl Waldegrave, Waldegrave was educated at Westminster and Eton and he inherited his father's titles in 1741. He was a Lord of the Bedchamber from 1743–52, appointed to the Privy Council in 1752 and Governor to The Prince of Wales and The Prince Edward from 1752–56. On 15 May 1759, he married Maria Walpole, the illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Walpole and they had three daughters:

Lady Elizabeth Laura Waldegrave, married her cousin, the 4th Earl Waldegrave. Three sons became Earls Waldegrave and all succeeding earls are descended from this marriage.

Lady Charlotte Maria Waldegrave, married the 4th Duke of Grafton. All succeeding Dukes of Grafton are descended from this marriage.

Lady Horatia Waldegrave later Lady Hugh Seymour, married Lord Hugh Seymour and had issue. She is an ancestress of Diana, Princess of Wales, and 5th great-grandmother of The Duke of Cambridge.