House of Hanover

© LHH

When George Louis, Elector of Hanover, ascended the British throne as King George I in 1714, this marked the beginning of the 123-year reign of the House of Guelph over Great Britain, where it was known as the House of Hanover. As a result, the Guelphs, the oldest royal dynasty in Europe, left a decisive imprint on European, American and world history.

Numerous testimonies to the days when the region was ruled by the House of Guelph are still to be found in and around Hanover today. Not only the family seat at Marienburg Castle but also the City of Hanover with the Herrenhausen Gardens and the town of Celle with its former royal residence afford insights into courtly life in days gone by.

The sovereigns from George I to George V

© LHH

• George I (George Louis), 1660-1727, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, from 1698 Elector of Brunswick and Lüneburg ("The Electorate of Hanover"), from 1714 King of Great Britain and Ireland.
• George II (George Augustus), 1683-1760, Elector of Hanover and King of Great Britain and Ireland.
• George III (George William Frederick), 1738-1820, Elector of Hanover and King of Great Britain and Ireland.
• George IV (George Augustus Frederick), 1762-1830, King of Hanover and King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
• William IV (William Henry), 1765-1837, King of Hanover and King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. End of the Union of Crowns.
• Ernest Augustus, 1771-1851, Duke of Cumberland, from 1837 King of Hanover.
• George V, 1819-1878, King of Hanover. 1866: End of the Kingdom of Hanover.