Prince Octavius of Great Britain (23 February 1779 – 3 May 1783)[1] was the thirteenth child and eighth son of King George III and his queen consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

[6] Octavius was christened on 23 March 1779, in the Great Council Chamber at St James's Palace, by Frederick Cornwallis, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

[7][8] Charlotte Papendiek, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, noted that Prince Octavius was "a lovely child of sweet disposition, [who] showed every promise of future goodness.

"[9] King George was extremely devoted to Octavius, who was too young to cause the kinds of trouble that his elder brothers did by this time, which included sexual misconduct and financial irresponsibility.

[10] Somewhat unusually for the period,[11] the King was affectionate[12] and indulgent with his young children, and strove to attend their birthday parties and other events organised for their merriment.

On one occasion, a friend witnessed a happy domestic scene that involved George "carrying about in his arms by turns Sophia and the last prince, Octavius.

[4][31] A letter from the governess of the royal children, Lady Charlotte Finch, reported that "Prince Octavius died last night, and indeed, from the time he was taken ill, there was never any hope of his recovery.

[38][39] The prince's death had a marked effect, both mentally and physically, on Queen Charlotte, who at the time was pregnant with her youngest child, Princess Amelia.

[40] Octavius's death devastated his father;[41][42] Walpole wrote "the King has lost another little child; a lovely boy, they say, of whom their Majesties were dotingly fond".

"[12][17][44] The day after his son's death, the King passed through a room where artist Thomas Gainsborough was completing the finishing touches on a set of portraits of the family.