The Dukes of Grafton: From Royal Illegitimacy to a Prime Minister and Fitzrovia

Countries & Cities · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Created in 1675 by Charles II for his illegitimate son, the Dukedom of Grafton has shaped British history for centuries. From the 3rd Duke serving as Prime Minister to the family naming a famous London district, this lineage balances royal roots with significant land ownership and shifting urban residences.

The Dukedom of Grafton was established in 1675 by King Charles II for Henry FitzRoy, his second illegitimate son with the Duchess of Cleveland. The title draws its name from the Honour of Grafton in Northamptonshire, now known as the village of Grafton Regis. Within the British peerage, the Duke of Grafton holds a high rank, positioned fourth after the dukes of Norfolk, Somerset, and Richmond. The family's primary seat is Euston Hall, an 11,000-acre estate that spans the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, where senior family members are traditionally buried at the parish church of Saint Genevieve.

The family's influence extended well beyond their rural estates. They were the developers and owners of the London district of Fitzrovia, which bears their family name. Throughout the 19th century, the Dukes maintained a rotating series of prestigious London residences, moving from Clarges Street in Piccadilly to Belgravia, Carlton House Terrace, and Chesterfield Gardens. These properties served as the urban base for successive dukes, including the 6th Duke, who in 1883 held over 25,000 acres of land across England, generating an annual income of nearly £40,000.

The lineage has seen significant shifts in succession and title. The 3rd Duke of Grafton, Augustus FitzRoy, remains the most prominent political figure of the line, having served as Prime Minister from 1768 to 1770. Over time, the family accumulated various subsidiary titles, such as the Earl of Euston, Viscount Ipswich, and Baron Sudbury, all created in 1672. While some titles, like those associated with the Earl of Arlington, fell into abeyance, the dukedom continues today. The current holder, the 12th Duke, succeeded his grandfather in 2011, with his son, Alfred James Charles FitzRoy, serving as the heir apparent.

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