Princess Augusta was born in Gotha to Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (1676-1732) and Magdalena Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst (1676-1740).
When the Prussian plan was cancelled, Queen Caroline saw a need to arranged a new marriage quickly, as there were rumours circulating at the time that Frederick had received an offer to marry the granddaughter of the Duchess of Marlborough, Lady Diana Spencer, in the duchess's lodge at Richmond [REF].