George IV
Born on 17th of August 1762
Died in Windsor, Berkshire
George IV was born at St James' Palace in London on 17th August 1762, he was the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte, who were to have a further fourteen children. He was bestowed with the title of the Prince Of Wales just a few days after his birth. His education was well rounded with him enjoying languages, he was competent at German, Italian, and French. Later he became leader within the fashionable society of the day, which brought conflict between himself and his strict disciplinarian father, who abhorred his heavy spending and questionable liaisons. He became Regent when his father was declared insane which was to last ten years. His extravagant lifestyle and love of the arts, together with his interest in architecture was to lead to him building the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, whose pure opulence and indulgence angered the people of Britain who had to pick up the bill.
He married in secret a woman who he became besotted by, Mrs Maria Fitzherbert, who was a Catholic widow, Parliament strongly disapproved and as it fell short of the Royal Marriages Act was deemed as illegal, instead in 1795 a marriage was arranged for him between Caroline Of Brunswick, who was his cousin, George despised her, although the marriage ceremony went ahead at St James Palace, and was eventually consummated, a daughter was born Princess Charlotte on 7th January, 1796. Things grew worse between himself and his wife, ultimately she was banished and lived abroad running up massive debts, and openly taking lovers. George's father died on 29th January 1820 at Windsor, his Coronation was arranged full of pomp and ceremony enjoyed by George, and although his wife Caroline arrived at Westminster she was turned away, she died later that year. His daughter sadly died shortly after giving birth to a stillborn child, George was inconsolable and deeply mourned the loss of his daughter.
He spent vast amounts of money improving Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, however in the latter years of his reign he suffered from very bad health, he died on the 26th June 1830, he was later buried in St Georges Chapel, Windsor, and was succeeded by his brother William IV.
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