George IV Of The United Kingdom

George IV (born George Augustus Frederick) was born on 12 August 1762 at St James's Palace in London. He was the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Upon his birth, he was entitled to several titles, including Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Cornwall, and Duke of Rothesay. He was baptized on 18 September 1762 and was presented with Godparents that included his maternal uncle Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; his paternal grand-uncle Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; and his grandmother Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales.

George IV was academically talented and quickly learned multiple languages, including French, German, and Italian. At the age of 18, he was granted a separate household and engaged in a lifestyle characterized by significant dissipation, including heavy drinking and multiple mistresses. His initial annual income from Parliament was £50,000, supplemented by a grant of £60,000, which was insufficient for his expenses. He established residence at Carlton House and became known for extravagant tastes and decor.

He entered into a clandestine marriage with Maria Fitzherbert on 15 December 1785, which was legally invalid due to the lack of royal consent and restrictions stemming from laws against Catholics marrying into the royal family. Despite this, Fitzherbert believed they were legitimately married; their union remained secret. The Prince of Wales accumulated substantial debts, leading Parliament to provide financial aid: in 1795, grants of £161,000 and additional funds helped to clear his debts.

In 1788, during the Regency crisis caused by his father’s mental health deterioration, George IV was involved in political debates about a regency. Parliament ultimately appointed Lords Commissioners using an illegal procedure to govern in the King's incapacity, but the King recovered the following year.

George IV was an avid horse racing enthusiast and owner, ending his involvement with the sport after a scandal in 1790 concerning a racehorse. He married Princess Caroline of Brunswick on 8 April 1795; the marriage was unhappy and they separated, producing one child, Princess Charlotte, born in 1796.

His political influence was evident during his regency, particularly in matters such as Catholic emancipation. When his father died in 1820, George IV ascended the throne as king at age 57. His reign saw a continuation of the political conflicts over Catholic relief, culminating in the Catholic Relief Act of 1829.

Throughout his later years, George IV's health declined due to obesity, gout, arteriosclerosis, and other ailments. His lifestyle caused considerable physical deterioration; he became almost entirely blind and incapacitated by 1828. Despite this, he continued to sign legislation with assistance until his death. He died on 26 June 1830 at Windsor Castle, from upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a ruptured blood vessel. An autopsy revealed a large tumor attached to his bladder and a heavily calcified heart. He was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

George IV was the only legitimate child of George III to survive childhood, but his only daughter, Charlotte, predeceased him in 1817. His successor was his younger brother, William IV. His legacy includes his influence on fashion and style during the Regency era, as well as his patronage of arts and architecture, such as the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and remodelling of Buckingham Palace. Statues of George IV exist in various locations, including Trafalgar Square in London. Multiple streets and locations, such as George IV Bridge in Edinburgh and King's Cross in London, are named after him.