Friday 12 August 2016

On This Day...George IV is born


George IV
King of Great Britain and Ireland, 1820 - 1830
(photo public domain via Wiki Commons)

He became a byword for fashion, excess and glamour and despite ruling for a decade he is probably best known as the Prince Regent whose marriage set new lows when it came to royal unhappiness. King George IV was born on this day in 1762.



George Augustus Frederick was born on August 12th 1762 at St James' Palace, London, the first child of King George III and his wife, Queen Charlotte. He was made Prince of Wales soon afterwards and would welcome fourteen brothers and sisters to his royal nursery in the years to come. He married Caroline of Brunswick on April 8th 1795 and they had one daughter, Charlotte, before their mutual loathing led to separate lives. He became Prince Regent on February 5th 1811 when his father's illness became so bad he could no longer rule. George IV ascended the throne on January 29th 1820 on the death of his father and his coronation, from which he barred his wife, took place on July 19th 1821. He died on June 26th 1830 and was succeeded by his brother, William, as his daughter had died in childbirth in 1817.



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