 From childhood, he showed physical courage and ability, and became his parents' favourite.He was enrolled in the 2nd Foot Guards and made a Knight of the Bath aged four.He was intended, by the King and Queen, for the office of Lord High Admiral, and, in 1740, he sailed, as a volunteer, in the fleet under the command of Sir John Norris, but he quickly became dissatisfied with the Navy, and, instead secured the post of colonel of the First Regiment of Foot Guards on 20 February 1741.