Diplomatic Passport King George II of England

George II (30 October / 9 November 1683 – 25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death. George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain: he was born and brought up in northern Germany. Passport King George II of England

The Passport – British history at its finest Passport King George II of England

The content of this passport (in French, the diplomatic language then) is a very classic one, similar to what is found on recent British passports, and translates (approximately) as follows:

“George the second, by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, Arch-Treasurer of the Holy Empire, hereby orders all chiefs, commanders and Lieutenant-Generals of our Army, guardians of our bridges and passages, and generally all our officers and other persons subject to our authority to let securely and freely pass through all places under their power and jurisdiction the Marquis Del Puerto, travelling as Minister Plenipotentiary of His (or Her) Catholic Majesty to Stockholm, having granted him this Passport for Himself as well as his servants, accompanying staff, (personal) papers, clothes and baggage’s, and ordering that during his passage through our States in Germany, no trouble or impeachments be done to him, but on the contrary, all aid, favor and assistance that he may stand in need (be granted to him)”

“His Catholic Majesty” designates the King (or Queen) of Spain, and the title “King of France” is of course only theoretical at the time (England had lost all its French territories at the time). This is a beautiful and most significant document of British history and diplomacy, although apparently without much ornamentation but with the kings’ signature! Issued in London, 14 October 1741

Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
Featured in media incl. CNN, BBC, Newsweek. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State.
"Want to go deeper? My book Let Pass or Die covers the full 400-year history"

👉 Ask Me Anything |  🏛️ View the Recognition List | 📚 Rare offers from my personal collection