George IV
George IV (born as George Augustus Frederick on 12 August 1762, died on 26 June 1830) was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Hanover from 29 January 1820 until his death. The Regency, George's nine-year time as "Prince Regent", which started in 1811 and ended with George III's death in 1820, included winning the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. George IV's only daughter died before he did, so his younger brother became King William IV of the United Kingdom.
George IV | |||||
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King of the United Kingdom and Hanover | |||||
29 January 1820 – 26 June 1830 | |||||
19 July 1821 | |||||
Predecessor | George III | ||||
Successor | William IV | ||||
Born | St James's Palace, London, England | 12 August 1762||||
Died | 26 June 1830 Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England | (aged 67)||||
Burial | |||||
Spouse | Caroline of Brunswick (m. 1795; died 1821) | ||||
Issue | Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales | ||||
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House | House of Hanover | ||||
Father | George III | ||||
Mother | Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz |
Early life
George IV was born on August 12, 1762, in London. His parents were George III and Charlotte Sophia. He enjoyed fun activities such as racing and dancing.
Reign
George IV became king on January 29, 1820. Prior to that, he served as regent from February 5, 1811, because his father, George III, was unwell.
Personal life
George IV led a lavish lifestyle. He had strained relationships with his father and his wife, Caroline. He secretly married Maria Fitzherbert, but their marriage was not recognized. Eventually, he married his cousin, Caroline.
Death
George IV passed away on June 26, 1830. His health suffered due to excessive drinking and being overweight. He spent his final years in seclusion at Windsor Castle.
Ancestors
George IV of the United Kingdom | Father: George III of the United Kingdom |
Paternal Grandfather: Frederick, Prince of Wales |
Paternal Great-grandfather: George II of Great Britain |
Paternal Great-grandmother: Caroline of Ansbach | |||
Paternal Grandmother: Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha |
Paternal Great-grandfather: Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg | ||
Paternal Great-grandmother: Magdalena Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst | |||
Mother: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz |
Maternal Grandfather: . Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Prince of Mirow |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Adolf Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | |
Maternal Great-grandmother: Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen | |||
Maternal Grandmother: Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen |
Maternal Great-grandfather: Ernest Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen | ||
Maternal Great-grandmother: Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach |
George IV Media
George (left) with his mother, Queen Charlotte, and younger brother, Frederick. Portrait by Allan Ramsay, 1764
Portrait miniature by Richard Cosway, c. 1780–82
Mezzotint engraving by Samuel William Reynolds, based on a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1785
Miniature by Richard Cosway, 1792
Portrait by Sir William Beechey, 1798
Profile by Sir Thomas Lawrence, c. 1814
Portrait in Garter robes by Lawrence, 1816
George IV's coronation, 19 July 1821
George IV at Holyhead en route to Ireland on 7 August 1821, the day of his wife's death
Half-crown of George IV, 1821
Other websites
Quotations related to George IV at Wikiquote