Born in Hanover, Germany, George II was the last British monarch to be born outside Great Britain. His father succeeded to the British throne in 1714 and made George the Prince of Wales, yet their relationship was fraught and they were notorious for their many conflicts. The prince succeeded to the throne in 1727 but in his early years as king took little control over the government, instead favouring Whig politician Sir Robert Walpole to operate as his Prime Minister. After Walpole’s resignation in 1742, Great Britain entered the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-8) and in 1743 George led his troops into battle against the French at Dettingen. He was the last British king to fight alongside his soldiers.