The young prince was baptised Edward Augustus, at Norfolk House, by the Bishop of Oxford, Thomas Secker,[2] and his godparents were his great-uncle Frederick William I of Prussia (for whom Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry stood proxy), Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (who was represented by Henry Brydges, Lord Carnarvon), and his maternal aunt Fredericka, Duchess of Saxe-Weissenfels (for whom Lady Charlotte Edwin, a daughter of the late James Douglas, 4th Duke of Hamilton, stood proxy).

As a boy, Edward, with his brother, went through long hours of schooling in arithmetic, Latin, geometry, writing, religion, French, German, Greek and even dancing to be well rounded.

[citation needed] Prince Edward showed an interest in naval affairs and sought permission to serve with the Royal Navy.

Or, in other Words, permit me to let the World know that this ſame Cub has been laughed at by the Duke of YORK;---- has been read to your Royal Highness by the Genius himself, and warmed by the immediate beams of your kind Indulgence.

HAD I been able to conceal this, I should have imagined that I had not the least Spark of the Enthusiasm of Parnassus in my Composition.---- To be so deficient in Vanity, which, if I am not mistaken, may be reckoned an inseparable Characteristic of a Poet.