Commission of Regency to the Prince of Wales, December 23, 1743

In December 1743 King James III and VIII was preparing for his troops to enter Scotland and then England. Since he could not himself be present, he issued a commission of regency to his elder son the Prince of Wales (later King Charles III). The commission was renewed August 5, 1750.

A printed version of part of the text can be found in Martin Haile's James Francis Edward, the Old Chevalier (London: J.M. Dent, 1907), 381-382. A manuscript copy of the complete text can be found among the Stuart papers at Windsor (volume 254, number 94).

Whereas we have a near prospect of being restored to the throne of our ancestors by the good inclinations of our subjects towards us, and by the assistance His Most Christian Majesty is resolved to give us for that effect; and whereas, on account of the present situation of this country, it will be absolutely impossible for us to be in person in England at the first setting up of our Royal Standard, and even for some time after; we therefore esteem it for our service and the good of our kingdoms and dominions to nominate and appoint, as we hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint our dearest son, Charles, Prince of Wales, to be sole Regent of our Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and of all other our dominions during our absence. It is our will and intention that our said dearest son should enjoy and exercise all that power and authority which according to the ancient constitution of our kingdoms has been enjoyed and exercised by former regents, requiring all our faithful subjects to give all due submission and obedience to our Regent aforesaid as immediately representing our royal person and acting by our authority; and we hereby revoke all commissions of regency granted to any person or persons whatsoever, and particularly one to our right trusty and right entirely well-beloved cousin and counsellor the Duke of Ormonde in the year 1732; and lastly, we hereby dispense with all formalities and other omissions that may be herein contained; declaring this our commission to be as firm and valid to all intents and purposes as if it had passed our Great Seals and as if it were according to the usual style and forms to which our present situation renders it impossible to conform ourselves.

Given under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet at our Court at Rome, the 23rd day of December, 1743, in the 43rd year of our Reign.

J.R.