House & Family History: Leicester House is remembered today as the location of the opposition courts of two Princes of Wales in the 18th century. Formed as alternative courts to the official court of the sovereign at St. James's Palace, Leicester House functioned as the headquarters to those in opposition to the government of the king. The term "Leicester House Faction" had particular currency during the time of Frederick, Princes of Wales, who based an alternative court to his father, George II, here during the 1740s.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, 1635-40. Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (tenant), 1640. Elizabeth Stuart, (Winter) Queen of Bohemia (tenant), 1662. Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, 1672-74. Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu (tenant), 1674-76. Philip Sidney, 3rd Earl of Leicester, 1677-98. George, Prince of Wales (tenant), 1720s; Frederick, Prince of Wales (tenant), 1742-51; Augusta, Princess of Wales (tenant), 1751-72. Sir Ashton Lever (tenant), 1774-88.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No