Ernest Augustus I of Hanover & Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

In May 1813, during a visit to his uncle Duke Charles in Neustrelitz, Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland -the fourth son of King George III of Great Britain- met an fell in love with Frederica. Duke Charles made it clear to his daughter that her separation from the Prince of Solms-Braunfels was absolutely logical, and that he saw a marriage with an English prince a great opportunity for her. During the next months Frederica thought about the intentions of Ernest Augustus and the possible effects on her own situation. When after the victory of the allies in the Battle of Leipzig Ernest Augustus spent some days in Neustrelitz, he was greeted friendly. Some time later Frederica asked the Prussian King the approval for her divorce from the Prince of Solms-Braunfels. All parties agreed, included the Prince of Solms-Braunfels, whose sudden death on 13 April 1814 was considered by some too convenient, even leading some to suspect that Frederica had poisoning her husband. In August the engagement was officially announced. After the British Parliament gave its consent to the wedding, Frederica and Ernest Augustus were married on 29 May 1815 at the parish church of Neustrelitz. Some time later, the couple traveled to Great Britain and married again on 29 August 1815 at Carlton House, London.

Queen Charlotte bitterly opposed the marriage, even though her future daughter-in-law was also her niece. She refused to attend the wedding and advised her son to live outside England with his wife. Frederica never obtained the favor of her aunt/mother-in-law, who died unreconciled with her in 1818. From her marriage to Ernest Augustus, she had a further three children, only one of which survived childhood: a son, who would eventually become King George V of Hanover.