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George IV

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George IV was a king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence
George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence

He lived a life filled with both great style and many scandals. He was known for his love of luxury and expensive tastes. This helped shape the fashions of the Regency era. People sometimes called him "the first gentleman of England" because of his charm. However, his choices often made people lose respect for the monarchy.

Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798
Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798

He was a man who loved beauty but struggled with responsibility.

George spent much of his life focused on art and building.

Sir Thomas Lawrence - King George IV as Prince Regent in Garter Robes - MV.40448 - Pinacoteca Vaticana
Sir Thomas Lawrence - King George IV as Prince Regent in Garter Robes - MV.40448 - Pinacoteca Vaticana

He was a patron of new styles and leisure activities. He hired John Nash to build the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. He also asked Jeffry Wyatville to rebuild Windsor Castle. He even worked to remodel the famous Buckingham Palace. These projects showed his interest in grand architecture.

Statue of King George IV in Trafalgar Square, London (cropped)
Statue of King George IV in Trafalgar Square, London (cropped)

His love for grand things changed how many buildings looked.

George was born on August 12, 1762, at St James's Palace.

Allan Ramsay - Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), with her Two Eldest Sons - Google Art Project
Allan Ramsay - Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), with her Two Eldest Sons - Google Art Project

He was the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. As a young prince, he learned to speak English, French, German, and Italian. He reached age 21 in 1783 and received a large grant from Parliament. This money was not enough for his expensive habits. His stables alone cost him £31,000 every single year.

GeorgeIV1780
GeorgeIV1780

He lived a very wild life at Carlton House.

His personal life was often very difficult and full of drama.

GeorgeIV1785
GeorgeIV1785

In 1785, he had a secret marriage to Maria Fitzherbert. This marriage was not legal because his father did not agree to it. Later, in 1795, he married his cousin Caroline of Brunswick.

Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798
Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798

The marriage was a disaster, and they lived apart after 1796. They had one child together named Princess Charlotte. Sadly, she died before her father in 1817. This left George without a direct heir to the throne.

George became king on January 29, 1820, after his father fell ill.

He had already been acting as prince regent since 1811. During his reign, Lord Liverpool served as the prime minister.

George IV in kilt, by Wilkie
George IV in kilt, by Wilkie

This government helped Britain win a war against Napoleon. George also had to accept Catholic emancipation even though he did not want to. He died on June 26, 1830. His brother, William IV, became the next king after him.

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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:Allan Ramsay - Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), with her Two Eldest Sons - Google Art Project.jpg
Allan Ramsay - Queen Charlotte...
File:GeorgeIV1780.jpg
GeorgeIV1780.jpg
File:GeorgeIV1785.jpg
GeorgeIV1785.jpg
File:GeorgeIV1792.jpg
GeorgeIV1792.jpg
File:How_to_Escape_Winning_(BM_J,4.66).jpg
How_to_Escape_Winning_(BM_J,4.66).jpg
File:Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798.jpg
Prince of Wales (later George IV), ca. 1798.jpg
File:George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence.jpg
George IV by Sir Thomas Lawrence.jpg
File:Sir Thomas Lawrence - King George IV as Prince Regent in Garter Robes - MV.40448 - Pinacoteca Vaticana.jpg
Sir Thomas Lawrence - King George IV as...
File:Coronation of George IV.jpg
Coronation of George IV.jpg
File:The landing of his Majesty, George the Fourth, at Holyhead, August 7th 1821.jpeg
The landing of his Majesty, George the...
File:George4coin.jpg
George4coin.jpg
File:George IV in kilt, by Wilkie.jpg
George IV in kilt, by Wilkie.jpg

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