What’s in a Name?

Over the centuries, before it became Amelia Island, our little barrier island answered to several other names depending on which of the eight flags we were flying under at the time. Napoyca, Isle de Mai, Isla de Santa Maria, and Egmont Island were just a few of the names we were known by. However, Amelia Island is the one that endured.

But who exactly was Amelia?

As it turns out, she was a Princess. But she wasn’t just another royal. Princess Amelia Sophia Eleanor of Great Britain was born in Germany in 1711 before moving to England as a young child when her grandfather became King George I. As the youngest of 15 children, she was independent, unconventional, and a little rebellious for her time.

Here are a few surprising facts about the remarkable woman whose name has become forever linked with our island.

She was her father’s favorite.

Princess Amelia was born after King George III endured the heartbreaking loss of two young sons, Alfred and the much-loved Octavius. Deeply grieving, the king developed an especially close bond with Amelia, who quickly became his favorite child. As a little girl, she often played on the floor with her father, who loved spending time with her.

She never married.

Princess Amelia fell deeply in love with Colonel Charles FitzRoy and hoped to marry him, but her mother, Queen Charlotte, strongly opposed the relationship. Heartbroken, Amelia said she already considered herself FitzRoy’s wife and even began signing her letters “AFR”—for Amelia FitzRoy—as a quiet declaration of her devotion. Amelia remained single throughout her life and never forgave her mother.

She wasn’t afraid to stir up controversy.

In 1751, King George III appointed her Ranger of Richmond Park—one of London’s most prestigious royal parks. As Ranger, Amelia closed it off to the public, allowing only invited guests inside. The decision caused such an uproar that a local brewer successfully challenged it in court, forcing the park to reopen. The case became an important milestone for public access to England’s parks.

She did things her own way.

Amelia preferred practical riding clothes over elaborate court gowns, loved hunting, entertained lavishly at her country estate, and wasn’t particularly concerned with keeping an elegant London home. Friends admired her independent spirit, while critics found her a little too unconventional.

She was generous—and a bit mysterious.

Princess Amelia donated money to educate orphaned girls and supported charitable causes throughout her life. Historians also believe she may have been the mother of renowned composer Samuel Arnold, although the relationship was never officially acknowledged.

Even her funeral has a remarkable story.

After her death in 1786, Amelia was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey. An antiquarian secretly entered the royal vault to record inscriptions on the coffins. The vault was accidentally locked, leaving him trapped overnight among Britain’s royal tombs before workers discovered him the next morning. Yikes!

Princess Amelia may have lived more than 300 years ago, but her independent spirit still makes her a memorable namesake. The next time you visit Amelia Island, make some memories of your own and remember … there’s a fascinating woman behind its name.