| Born | 5 June 1771 |
| Coup | Prussian-backed coup to overthrow the House of Windsor during the Glorious Revolution of 1825 |
| Died | 18 November 1851 (aged 80) |
| House | |
| Reign | 1830 - 1851 |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Spouse | |
| Titles | King of the United Kingdom • King of Hanover |
| Children | George V of Hanover • Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale • Princess Friederike of Hanover • Princess Marianne of Hanover |
| Successor | |
| Predecessor | |
| Reign Description | Authoritarian and heavy-handed approach to governing, consolidated power and laid foundations for Hanoverian dynasty's long dominance |
Ernst Augustus I was the first monarch of the House of Hanover to rule the United Kingdom, reigning from 1830 until his death in 1851. A Prince of the German Kingdom of Hanover, Ernst Augustus engineered the overthrow of the previous British royal family, the House of Windsor, and installed himself as King through a combination of political maneuvering and Prussian military support.
Ernst Augustus was born in 1771 in the city of Hanover, the fifth son of George III, then King of Great Britain and Elector of Hanover. As a younger son, Ernst Augustus was not originally in line to inherit the throne of Hanover, but his prospects changed dramatically in 1810 when his older brother George IV became King.
Over the following years, Ernst Augustus consolidated his power and influence within the Kingdom of Hanover, aligning himself closely with the rising German Empire and Prussia in particular. He was known for his authoritarian tendencies, ruthless political maneuvers, and openness to using military force to achieve his aims.
In the mid-1820s, growing public unrest and republican sentiment in the United Kingdom created an opportunity for Ernst Augustus to make a play for the British throne. Coordinating closely with Prussian military leaders, he helped orchestrate the Glorious Revolution of 1825, which saw the forcible abdication of King George VI and the collapse of the House of Windsor.
With the British monarchy in disarray, Ernst Augustus moved quickly to position himself as the rightful heir. Using a combination of political intrigue, military pressure, and claims of dynastic legitimacy, he was able to maneuver himself onto the British throne in 1830, becoming King Ernst Augustus I.
Ernst Augustus I's reign was marked by an authoritarian and heavy-handed style of governance that often put him at odds with the growing democratic forces in British society. He relied heavily on his Prussian connections to suppress republican movements and solidify the power of the monarchy.
Despite periodic unrest and opposition, Ernst Augustus was largely successful in entrenching the House of Hanover's rule over the United Kingdom. He carried out a range of domestic reforms, expanded the British colonial empire, and laid the groundwork for the dynasty's long-term dominance.
Upon his death in 1851, Ernst Augustus I was succeeded by his son, George V, continuing the Hanoverian lineage that has ruled the United Kingdom to the present day. The Ernst Augustus era is seen as a critical turning point that shaped the modern British monarchy and political system.
