The Toxic Royal Marriage of George IV and Caroline of Brunswick

[@ReadingthePast]

To explore "Mary Anning: The Forgotten Fossil Hunter" and more first-class history content subscribe to History Hit: access.historyhit.com/checkout/subscribe/receipt?code=readingthepast&plan=monthly for 50% off for your next three months!

[@kwells179]

Your little one will soon be a good age for the book "stone girl bone girl" all about Mary Anning if you've not heard about it yet

[@danellewilbraham]

Can I just say I respect you so much for only engaging with sponsors that you are truly passionate about? Doesn’t even feel like a promo!

[@--enyo--]

Thank you for your aside around 10:00 calling out the abusive red flag behaviour.

[@jesm9776]

There's something lurid and appealing about the antics of people with more money than sense

[@historybuff7491]

I have always felt sorry for their daughter. Yes, she was a royal princess and could have anything she wanted, but how do you have a happy childhood with such a relationship between your parents. I don't believe you can.

[@ReadingthePast]

It does sound like she found happiness in her marriage, but of course that tragically ended far too soon 😔

[@rodneyferris4089]

Leopold was very much in love with Charlotte apparently. At least he said so. I think that he was more disappointed because he’d never have power over Britain. He was a piece of work that one as well.

[@mtngrl5859]

@@rodneyferris4089 Well, his subsequent mistress when he was King of Belgium looked very much like Princess Charlotte, so by all accounts he missed her. While he courteous to his second wife, she was physically quite different from his first wife, so he was somewhat distant from her.

[@stephenbutterfield5986]

all that wasted money

[@mtngrl5859]

@@stephenbutterfield5986 Yes, but George lV had excellent taste in art and the decorative arts that are part of the UK heritage now. While Charles l was a poor king, he was another excellent art collector that enhanced the UK as well. On another note, Mrs. Fitzherbert was given a 5000 pound annuity until her death, once the Prince Regent moved on. That was an excellent income at that time.

[@NewMoonStarlight]

"There are a football field of red flags waving in the wind" is definitely one of my new favourite sentences.

[@emmaonthefarm1085]

I rated that ❤

[@Books_Anime_92]

The one thing that I remember about George IV and Caroline is that when George IV heard that Napoleon had died, the messenger told him "Your majesty, your greatest enemy is now dead". The king responded thinking that the messenger was talking about his wife "By Jove! When did she die?".

[@janebaker966]

That's so funny!

[@tomcooper-hayes6579]

If that isn’t true, it should be!

[@melissaking6019]

Caroline's and George's marriage makes Charles' and Diana's union look pretty pleasant. George's suicide attempt is the behavior of a narcissist. In fact, most of his behavior throughout his adult life was that of a narcissist.

[@indiciaobscure]

I think of him as an adult baby. His romances with older women he treated as mother figures, his expectation to be indulged and admired in spite of his poor behavior. The good thing is he was one of the most lampooned and mocked figures.

[@Posie-hg1ze]

Yet their daughter Charlotte was apparently lovely and loved by everyone. She married for love but tragically died in childbirth. Due to this all the brothers rushed to marry and produce an heir and along came Victoria.

[@pat412pear]

Charlotte was mourned as "The Greatest Queen Who Never Was". The entire country had bare- knuckled the way through the Georges and was looking forward to her reign. Sadly, the male doctor brought in to care for her (instead of her wish for midwives) was most likely responsible for her demise. He eventually committed suicide - citing guilt over Charlotte's death as the reason.

[@leonieromanes7265]

@@pat412pear that's so sad, if only Charlotte had been allowed autonomy over he pregnancy. The royal family might be very different today.

[@notnek202]

A 48 hour labor she was a weak from being bleed & starved. The doctor thought the baby was too big and put the mother on a strict diet. The doctor didn’t believe in interfering in the birth so forceps which could of saved both mother & son were no used. He shot himself couple of months later distraught for being responsible for the death of not one heir to the throne but two.

[@falconeshield]

​@@notnek202 God what a useless doctor

[@neconeconeco]

Thank you for your remarks on coercive control. Certainly this behavior has been historically romanticized (yikes!!) and I'm so glad to see you calling it out. You're the best.

[@lifeinthevoid1595]

Still is romanticised... along with framing stalking and abduction as romance and that persistence (refusing to accept 'no') wins them over... look back at movies and tv through this lens and you'll be so grossed at how often these are portrayed. Pop Culture Detective does great video essays on these topics

[@kerriemckinstry-jett8625]

And people still persist in playing the song, "Baby, it's cold outside" & calling it "charming". Key & Peele did a great sketch of it, showing just how rapey that song is.

[@AnastaciaInCleveland]

I have personal experience of this. I was told, "He must have really loved you." No, he didn't. He was obsessed with a romanticized idea of me that fulfilled his needs and wants without regard to what I needed and wanted. To get back at me, he unalived himself. So, I am grateful for her remarks on the subject. ~ Anastacia in Cleveland

[@anthonywoodhurst551]

I feel bad for Caroline. She was never wanted by George or even received kindness from him it sounds like. Even Charles II, for all his affairs, showed greater kindness to his wife than George showed to his

[@Laramaria2]

To call this marriage a "disaster" is not enough 😬

[@ReadingthePast]

I agree! I had many other terms in mind but all of them had swearing which I try to avoid on this channel 😂

[@Laramaria2]

@@ReadingthePast I can relate 🤣

[@cinemaocd1752]

"Got drunk. Fell asleep in fireplace. Woke up. Consummated marriage"....what a lad. Legend....Actual LOL at the phrase "cousin wife." Priny's antics are a huge part of the subtext of Jane Austen's novels. You can imagine that for a poor, unmarried woman, dependent on male relatives for a living; a rich, profligate, lecherous ruler would have been a constant source of irritation, especially after he gave her patronage and she had to dedicate Emma to him... A rich vein to mine for satire, that's for sure....At a Jane Austen conference a few years ago we had a speaker who talked about the whole controversy around Princess Charlotte's death. There was a wide-spread belief that her physicians had killed her. Conspiracy Theory for early C19.

[@nicholashext474]

I wonder if the constant antagonism between the Hanoverian kings and their heirs had something to do with the changing nature of monarchy in Britain. In the medieval and renaissance periods, royal princes frequently had actual military and governmental duties, whereas their 18th century counterparts increasingly enjoyed wealth and privilege without any corresponding responsibilities. The evolving constitutional settlement, while it gradually defined the role of the monarch, left the heir in a kind of limbo without any function beyond simply waiting to succeed.

[@ReadingthePast]

It can’t be conducive to having an affectionate relationship if you think your child is counting down the minutes to your death 😬

[@yensid4294]

Very perceptive & insightful observation 👍

[@angelsinger4574]

I remember reading a quote of hers years ago, to the effect that she had only ever committed adultery with the husband of Maria Fitzherbert!

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

I always thought George IV was a worthless person. All he did was over-indulge himself in every possible way during his entire life, he was a monster of selfishness.

[@Hugin-N-Munin]

Mad, bad, sad and fat

[@janebaker966]

So did the whole population of Great Britain. At the time EVERYONE thought George was fat and useless and they resented knowing all the tax they paid went into his overindulgences.

[@m.g.4446]

There's actually a legend in my family that we're descended from one of those unaccounted for illegitimate children. Obviously, I don't know how much, if any of this is true, but this is how I heard it from my great aunt. Whenever something bad would happen in the family, my great aunt's mother (my great grandmother) would say, "Well, there is *bad blood* in the family." My great aunt always wondered what she meant by that, but never got an answer until her uncle (my great grandmother's brother) told her that one of our ancestors had been a servant who had an "encounter" with the the king of England and had a bastard child. When my great grandmother found out that her brother had told my great aunt, she was furious because she had hoped the knowledge would die with their generation. The mother died and her child went into the care of her sisters who refused to take the money that she had been receiving from the royal family because it was "dirty money." A couple generations later, my great, great grandmother and her sisters agreed to sign a statement that would basically relinquish any claims of Hanoverian descent in an attempt to cover up that they were descended from a bastard. Whether any of this story is true, it's unfortunate that it took four generations and over 100 years for my ancestor to stop being slut shamed.

[@leonieromanes7265]

That's so sad.

[@m.g.4446]

@@leonieromanes7265 Yep.

[@krawlb4walking802]

Especially, when they probably were forced into that situation.

[@mariag.215]

Some of the story might be true, but I doubt anyone would care generations later about an illegitimate child born to the well-known womanizer uncle. It wouldn't even be scandalous, just something expect from him. George IV's brother, William IV, had plenty of acknowledged illegitimate children and no one did anything about it. Also, there's no need to relinquish claims to the Hanoverian descent, because children born out of wedlock wouldn't be part of the royal house and they wouldn't even have the right to use their father's surname. They were basically nothing in the eyes of the law. And as I already said, it wouldn't be a scandal either.

[@janebaker966]

I read a book by someone who claimed to be a descendant of one of Mrs Fitzherberts children by Prince George. I can't remember the title or author but it involved a PAYNE family. It was well researched but there were gaps that the author had filled in by "intuition".

[@dangerosajones3981]

It's a primary example of a marriage that just shouldn't have been, and in which there were no winners. Only losers. Especially their daughter.

[@jflan92]

I learnt about the marriage of George, Prince of Wales and Princess Caroline of Brunswick from a brilliant book 'An Unruly Queen: The Life Of Queen Caroline' by Flora Fraser. I feel that Princess Caroline was unfairly judged for her alleged behaviours, both in public & in court. Princess Caroline knew of the affair between Prince George and Lady Frances Jersey before she arrived in Britain as someone sent an anonymous letter directly to Princess Caroline when she was living in Brunswick. Lord Malmesbury was both shocked and furious when he was confronted by Princess Caroline over the anonymous letter. He tried to dismiss the letter as fraudulent but Princess Caroline wasn't fooled by his reassurances. This is why the first meeting between Princess Caroline and Lady Jersey didn't go well because Lady Jersey was quite rude and offhand towards Princess Caroline. Lady Jersey's atrocious attitude earned Lord Malmesbury's contempt towards her and he wanted nothing to do with the Prince of Wales & his mistress after that.

[@tahlia__nerds_out]

Thanks for mentioning that book; I want to check it out now

[@jpr455]

I can never get my head round what is must have been like for these poor women who were brought from a foreign country to marry a man they had never met. (George III and his wife Charlotte married on the same day they met. ) I do think that Prince George was a real spoilt brat. Having agreed to the marriage, he should have made more effort to get along with his wife. ( If she was smelly, someone should have had a tactful word with her ladies. ) Caroline seems to have been a strong willed women, I bet she was a lot more fun to be around than her spoilt, drunkard husband!

[@nannalange6696]

I would love a series of bad historical relationship advice

[@angie.2757]

I would love it too

[@SeGG8791]

I had previously learned of Maria Fitzherbert's relationship with George IV, but was completely unaware of the circumstances of their marriage. Yikes! Thank you for teaching me something new, and for including your disclaimer about toxic behaviors and coercive relationships. I feel like there's a need for more discussions about figures from history behaving as such, and how to combat the romanticism of that behavior that persists to this day.

[@--enyo--]

100 percent. Regardless of who is doing it that sort of behaviour is coercive and manipulative. I feel really sorry for her.

[@mariavi33]

Poor Maria Fitzherbert, her situation sounds like a complete nightmare

[@Lionstar16]

A wife and yet not a wife in the eyes of the law

[@knittersandcritters7365]

I've read a lot about this couple, and still it all sounds shocking every single time. Thank you for adding your comment about toxic behavior not being romantic, there is so much of this happening, and I feel bad for young people trapped in these situations and not recognizing them for the manipulation and control that they are. Ok, now I feel suitably old.

[@jasperhorace7147]

At least today it is easier and more acceptable to find a way out of an abusive relationship. Poor Caroline had the added burden of being the one without power too. Twice without power really - because she was a woman and because she came from an obscure German Duchy to marry a Prince of Wales. Considering all that, she did very well at making George uncomfortable. Yes, I agree with Dr Kat, a visit to The Pavilion in Brighton is well worthwhile. It is completely OTT. It represents all that is eccentric and entitled in the prince regent.

[@62345005]

Excellent video, as always, but I needed to comment on your warning of toxic relationships. You are a wonderful person to point that behaviour is not romantic and help is needed.

[@laurashannon1177]

"A football field of red flags wafting in the breeze" ROFL! That is brilliant! Great video as always, Dr. Kat.

[@laceneil4570]

"Queen Caroline, we implore To go away and sin no more" As sung by the jeering crowds to Caroline as she left the abbey. I feel sorry for the poor woman, she didn't have a chance to live her best life. I've visited the Pavillion, it's well worth it.

[@lilymarinovic1644]

"Most gracious Queen,.we thee implore/to go away and sin no more/or, if that effort be too great/to go away, at any rate..." Vicious! Poor woman was probably quite ill at the time, she only died a few weeks later.

[@theclassicso8094]

I knew bits and pieces about George IV and Caroline of Brunswick. This video filled in so many of the missing pieces. As always, you gave us a wonderful presentation of these people and how toxic this marriage was. The real tragedy of it all is the death of Princess Charlotte following the stillborn birth of her child. Thank you for your astute research and presentation. I loved it.

[@jennierayner2152]

the library I work in holds a serial called Ackermann's Repository, it ran from around 1810 to 1830...there's an issue that's almost dedicated to Charlotte after her death, it's such a stunning outpour of public grief. She was clearly much loved.

[@heatherjones6647]

My favourite description of Caroline has to be Blackadder telling Baldrick all about it.

[@QueenCityHistory]

I would LOVE to see you do a video on Frederick prince of Wales and his wife Augusta and the horrible and extremely vindictive relationship with his parents George II and Caroline. I've heard a little about it but I'm sure you can shed a better light on the story

[@HilaryElizabeth9]

"I'm just gonna pause to point out for whomever needs to hear it that this -- is not romantic. It's coercive, and it's abusive. There are a football field of red flags wafting in the breeze in relation to this. If you are anywhere near a situation like this, you call for a welfare check, and then you walk -- nay you run -- away." ^^ Your way with words is amazing. This quote demonstrates your wit and just how prescient you are able to make these videos.

[@cindyschell6870]

The story of George IV and his love life always reminded me of a soap opera!

[@janebaker966]

Or a Carry On film!

[@memyselfi8461]

Dude imagine a whole series on nightmare toxic royal marriages! My insomnia would totally appreciate something like that lol

[@ladyicondraco]

Thank you so much for pointing out how threatening to injure oneself is manipulation, not romance!

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

Wow, I never knew much about Caroline of Brunswick, beyond that brief mention in Blackadder the Third, but now I love her! Thank you for this video! Also, poor Mrs Fitzherbert, what a piece of work George was!

[@AC-el7lx]

I feel so ignorant, I had heard the Victoria's predecessor was a raging drunk and womanizer. I had never heard of his marriage OR his daughter Charlotte. I've dug into monarchs and royal families for the past several years as an almost 50 year old woman of UK blood, but born and raised in the U.S., I'm shocked I hadn't heard most of these juicy tidbits. Well done, I've enjoyed your content for almost a year now (digging into all your videos in the past) and get excited when I see you've uploaded a new video. This one answered a lot of questions for me. Thanks Dr. Kat!

[@leonieromanes7265]

The British Royal family has always been pretty dysfunctional.😁

[@EmeraldAngelEyes]

Don't forget William IV between George IV and Victoria. There is even more to discover about the royal family and their foibles.

[@freedpeeb]

You know there are eerie echoes of Charles and Diana in this.

[@conemadam]

Having spent my formative years obsessed with reading every word that Georgette Heyer wrote, « Prinny » was referred to but not much. Jane Austen confirmed my wish to have been born into a wealthy and respected Regency family. The bubble was burst when I found out about what was really happening. I was flabbergasted to learn from Lord Malmsbury thatCaroline didn’t wash( yuck!)and The Prince Régent was an obese …say….disappointment. What a crazy pair of first cousins ! Thanks so much for bringing this awful story to our attention! It’s pathetic, but it still makes me titter.

[@silva7493]

I've heard that not washing was not at all uncommon. Or bathing anyway, more than once a year was considered unhealthy. Here in America the natives were said to have literally been able to detect the English settlers coming from a mile away.

[@conemadam]

@@silva7493 i was simply reducing into two images - unhygienic vs obese-what was a very complex and tragic pairing.

[@BoninBrighton]

The Prince was used to bathing in the sea at Brighton at will so was his court.

[@mikalbell8125]

George used emotional blackmail against Mariah Fitzherbert.

[@floraposteschild4184]

I pounced when I saw you were taking on this topic. I heard of it first when Charles and Diana were having their marital struggles, and have been fascinated by royal messiness ever since.

[@grievousangelic]

There are some interesting parallels, for certain. I don't think Charles was ever that kind of abuser, but emotionally distant certainly comes to mind. Check out "The Unruly Queen" by Flora Fraser for some interesting reading.

[@floraposteschild4184]

@@grievousangelic Thanks! I will.

[@AJA-ie5uu]

@@grievousangelic Excellent book. (And so many interesting parallels!)

[@dhoward8816]

Great advice for abused women! Nice job!

[@linniem0529]

Thank you for addressing the abuses in his relationships.

[@maggie_oshea]

As always, a history well told. Sounds like a miserable experience for both of them, that affected a lot more people than just themselves!

[@tonyk1584]

Gauche, boisterous, tactless and talkative. My kind of gal. Can I get her number? (As usual great stuff Dr. Katt)

[@ReadingthePast]

Honestly, that description made me feel like I’d love her as a pal too!

[@DneilB007]

It’s kinda weird to say, but I think that Horrible Histories may have made the relationships that George IV had with his dad & wife look healthier than they were.

[@beverleightodd5710]

Loved this as I am a Georgian/recency fan. The one thing that struck was that Edward VIII also threatened to kill himself if Mrs Wallis left him.

[@christopherbrown5409]

*Mrs/Wallis Simpson... Wow; I didn't know that... I hope Dr Kat will do a vid on them, though I know they're much more modern

[@sandrahart6033]

That’s exactly where my mind went! They were both petulant man children that used potential suicide as a means to control the women that they decided that they must have 🤯😡

[@cassiemontgomery45]

It must run in the family; the Windsors are descended from the Hanovers.

[@leonieromanes7265]

@@christopherbrown5409 its true, Edward used suicide as a threat to coerce Wallis to be with him. I think Britain dodged a bullet when Edward abdicated.

[@rodneyferris4089]

Lucy Worsely’s delightful documentary on the Regency is a wonderful insight into the people’s thoughts on King/Prince George. One of the Palace interpreters recited the old saw: “ Bad Sad and Fat” so far we’ve dodged other bullets with King Edward VII and Edward VIII. #VII took his Royal duty seriously # VIII declared to Wallis that if she left him he’d do himself in! Your advice? “Ask for the welfare cheque and make speedy retreat!” I’m truly glad that our Prince of Wales has settled into his duty, no matter how some of us feel about the state of grace of his morganatic marriage. At least both are showing great signs of regal intent! God save the Queen!

[@pat412pear]

Bad, Sad, Mad and Fat was what I was taught.

[@rodneyferris4089]

Heehee! I missed the Mad part! I’m old what can I say?! 🙃💨

[@catherineseear7069]

What a hideous marriage Caroline found herself in. Who could blame her for trying to find some comfort elsewhere? It’s okay for him, but not her. Having been in an abusive marriage I can see that if your partner has power like this he will use it constantly to blame, shame, hold the purse strings & withhold access to children. Her husband and the government were against her! I wouldn’t want to marry a Prince for love nor money!

[@be6715]

I wonder how many know that the poem 'Georgie Porgie' was written about George IV? There also was a series about him back in the late 70's, early 80's with Hugh Laurie (I think) in the title role? As a reader of Regency fiction, which contains a lot of history, George IV time was always interesting to me, so not a lot of new ground here, but good to hear about it again. It is interesting to see the cartoons of the day and how very unrestrained they were. The Victorian era to me is the very epitome of the rebound effect of the permissiveness of the Regency era. At least, permissiveness for men. For women, unless very rich, AND independent, which didn't often go together, it was an entirely different story. Good video!

[@MSK-jd5fi]

I so love Dr. Kat’s dry humor, shown here to great effect with the “nobody called for anyone to be beheaded” comment.

[@happycommuter3523]

It’s a low bar to clear. 😀

[@dianebutler5977]

Fascinating story which once again brings meaning to the phrase...'the truth is stranger than fiction'... Both were guilty of adultery; however, I feel for Caroline as she was aware of one of George's mistresses upon her arrival in England. She appears to me as a wild young lady, wanting to be noticed and hoping to be the 'centre' of someone's world, she must have been very disappointed; very sad indeed!

[@molnotmole3428]

I never thought about him being high & surrounded by intense paintings like that. Hope he had some terrify dreams

[@debraturner4559]

I think Charolette analyzed her parents correctly in her famous assessment, and its why her mother also had the support of her father-in-law, George III. Son George was more horrible than Caroline who was disrepected and stopped from performing her duties from the day she arrived in the UK. I'm surprised Parliament didn't step in to give her the Queen Consort title once her juvenille husband became King. I guess that body of government didn't want to intervene. Caroline was left without a marriage, the role of becoming a British Queen, the chance to raise her daugher and have other children, so I have smpathy for her. George choose her and to get married for his own benefit, and he then started toxicity between them.

[@jennaolbermann7663]

Dr. Kat I appreciate that you remarked about how to handle a situation of manipulation and control. My ex husband tried to keep me in the marriage by threatening self harm. I called his counselor about it and he ended up doing nothing.

[@beverleightodd5710]

I would love you do do one about Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitier, and the relationship with Henri II.

[@Natalie_11188]

I had to wait to watch this one, but I have read a lot about this couple in Eleanor Herman’s “Sex with the Queen”. I agree- it’s up there as far as toxicity. Supposedly Caroline said in response to accusations of her affairs “I have committed adultery but once, and that with the husband of Mrs FitzHerbert.”

[@jaqqiherrera2917]

"Walk...Nay, you run away!" I actually cackled at this, a very accurate thing one should do in such a situation. I love watching your videos and I feel much more educated with each video I watch

[@kathleenweigelt3183]

Thank you Dr Kat for another great video. I live in Brighton, so took a special interest in todays topic. I love to have tea in the gardens of Prinnie's Beach Hut by the sea. Nearby is Steine House, Maria Fitzherbert's residence, which now used by YMCA. There is said to be secret tunnel running between Steine House and the Pavilion. Maria's buried at John the Baptist Church in Kemptown. I think Maria was very hard done by, by the Prince Regent. But Caroline, I can't help having a sneaking admiration for her. She wasn't going to put up with Georgie's bull. If you visit Brighton you can see a pair of George's britches in the museum. They're enormous!

[@ReadingthePast]

I lived in Brighton for a decade, it is where I met my husband and lived with him for the first time (in a minuscule attic flat off St James’ Street) - Brighton and it’s history will always hold a very special place in my heart ❤️

[@eshim3961]

Dr Kat covering one of my favorite tragi comic Royal marriages was a dream come true for me today. I came homes from a long, grueling day at work, but I was wide awake, and hanging on every word when she went over this. Excellent as always!

[@kridswonderhowell4541]

'I'm going to stop here ..... whoever needs to hear this..... this is NOT ROMANTIC! " OMG ..... I spit out my food right onto my phone !!! I adore your insight and commentary!!!

[@lauratittensor2691]

The description of Caroline sounds like the descriptions used for fergie in the modern royal family

[@thequeen321]

Whilst we’re talking about George IV I would highly recommend the tv series called prince regent

[@Lionstar16]

I have that TV series on DVD and absolutely love it - it's for the most part historical accurate, has amazing costuming and Peter Egan was perfectly cast as George

[@prettysimplemum]

Absolutely well done on the calling abuse abuse and to suggest a welfare check. Thank you for giving us history but also being clear on healthy behaviours.

[@margarethoskins6625]

This relationship is similar the WALLIS Simpson and duke of Windsor who also threatened similar things to keep her.

[@Hugin-N-Munin]

Among King George IV's greatest achievements...time travel. Admittedly, he traveled back in time to the 1590s chiefly to meet strange women and sleep with them...but that's George for you ;)

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

"A football field of red flags" indeed! 😂

[@realitycheck4842]

Love everything about you and your videos. You can match facial expressions to each video, and some are hilarious. Your sense of humor is amazing. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@rachelhayes3376]

As an American, I know very little of George VI, as the U.S. was just in its infancy and history class did not focus on world events. However, I now understand why Jane Austen (who had to dedicate Emma to him) did not like him.

[@ReadingthePast]

I enjoy how much Austin hated him 😂

[@yvonneparmenter9251]

@@ReadingthePast Could you do a video on the life of Jane Austen?

[@pedanticradiator1491]

George IV (4th) not VI (6th)

[@johndavidwestby]

Have been fascinated by this totally toxic mismatched pair. Thank you for putting it into a succinct storyline. so much recrimination and vitriol and poor charlotte, who must have been seen as a light in the darkness as heir, and then her untimely death. Ugh. she deserves her own movie.

[@csmith63]

If you've never seen A Royal Scandal from 1997, it's a hilarious must add to your rainy day watch list! (If History after Dark ever does a feature on movies that skewer the past in the most delicious way and still manage to have some bits that are reasonably in line with the broad official strokes, it needs to get featured!) There's good reason it was made in that particular year that had nothing to do with the DISTANT past so much as astonishingly similar stories playing out in the present, but it's still an ok historical anyone who's going to be putting on a similar play as the expected entertainment you must provide as part of your Phi Alpha Theta induction (as we traditionally do on this side of the pond) can take notes!

[@shorty9273]

The reason why I love Friday is I get a new video from yourself Dr Kat :D I used to pop into the Caroline of Brunswick pub, just up from the Pavillion on a night in Brighton. Now I have the history lesson to go with it, thanks

[@ReadingthePast]

Is the Caroline of Brunswick pub still open on the Level? Maybe pop in for a beer to spite George 😂

[@shorty9273]

@@ReadingthePast It is still there, she is a strong one!

[@MorningSong8]

As always, another great video. My only complaint is that I cannot get enough of your channel. Well done, my dear. 😄

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you 😊

[@lindsaydrewe8219]

Apart from Blackadder 3rd and Horrible Histories I didn't know a lot about him. Thanks for this.

[@Marcsika72]

Thank you for bringing history close to us, talking about people from hundreds of years ago as they were our neighbours. This is very entertaining :-)

[@danaglabeman6919]

George's desperate behavior towards Maria Fitzherbert is VERY similar to how Edward VIII acted with Wallis Simpson

[@lifeinthevoid1595]

Lol that last most toxic marriage comment 😁

[@archer1949]

The fact that the British monarchy survived George IV is a small miracle.

[@jenneal297]

Oh I am so happy to see one of your episodes! I am recovering from surgery and this is a much needed distraction 😌

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

Whenever I think of Princess Charlotte, I'm reminded of the quote by John Greenleaf Whittier- "For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, “It might have been.” I'm just brushing up on the Georges for History After Dark's Deceased Git episode! LOL! 👑😆

[@lillianmcgrew217]

This is so sad 😔

[@ashleydavis1937]

The look on your face after telling us about how George threatened to remove his bandages if Maria didn't come to him!😅

[@chriscaspian2280]

I use to visit the Royal Pavillion and loved the history of George IV. But his wife what a gal.

[@claireconolly8355]

Thank you for the red flag warning!! Always good for the reminder 👏👍🧡

[@whitniedouglass611]

Just like most royals, this sounds like both are victims of circumstances. George of being born to a royal family, Maria and Caroline and Charolte of being entangled, estranged and born without much choice as women of the time. That's why we look to history to see how to do it better, and sometimes we get it right. Thank you, this video was amazing.

[@kathrn2577]

It finally happened. KZbin mysteriously unsubscribed me. Not only from this channel, but from all of my favorites! I'm so glad you warned us.

[@BTScriviner]

Why was Caroline so beloved in the first place?

[@katharper655]

Dr. Kat. .I WAS one of the ticked-off ones unceremoniously dropped from your channel. AT LONG LAST I have re-discovered your delightful videos! The KZbin deities being merciful, I shall REMAIN YOUR DEVOTED VIEWER-AND NAMESAKE KAT HARPER-JENNINGS.

[@cindchan]

They certainly gave the tabloids of the day plenty to write about.

[@morriganwitch]

This period in history has always been elusive and unclear to me . Thank you for the clarification and seems to raise a dilemma for me . Did the nature of the times reflect the monarchy , or did the monarchy simply follow the nature of the times ? Fascinating xxx ps at least no beheadings xxx

[@ReadingthePast]

That’s a fascinating question! It will have me scratching my head for ages!

[@morriganwitch]

@@ReadingthePast smiles xxx

[@lynnedelacy2841]

My own opinion is that the times followed the monarchy as they were still very influential over the nobility which bled down into the lower eschelons of society However with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and Victoria’s more puritanical reign - the influence of which really struck home with the burgeoning middle class so style of monarchy albeit different and under the shadow of the Industrial Revolution still influenced the times rather than the other way round although the gap as to who influenced who was narrowing

[@morriganwitch]

@@lynnedelacy2841 I definitely agree about the Victorian age resonating with the middle classes whilst the real nobility like today are still unto their own code of noblesse oblige and private circles , and have distanced themselves from the current Monarchy to a certain extent .

[@catgladwell5684]

I love the way Dr Kat says "the miserable marriage of 'this' prince and princess of Wales". Plus ça change...

[@sakurayuki8391]

Most monarches married people that they didn't love, but at least they tried not to embarass themselves in public. George IV would have had a much more peaceful life if he tried to befriend Caroline or treat her with respect. At least he did not imprisoned his wife like George I did.

[@michaellewis6510]

Thank you for a detailed description of this very unfortunate marriage. I have to admire Caroline. The poor daughter 😢

[@LoriLikeBAMM18]

“Then you wal- nay run away” 😂😂😂😂☠️

[@orsino88]

If you are a Royal, you never stop at just one actress.

[@diannameadows9459]

I had seen a movie about this horrible marriage but you enlightened me on the details. Seems like both of them acted like spoiled rich children Most of all I feel so sorry for their daughter Charlotte. She must have had a terrible childhood and to die so young so sad.

[@Saezimmerman]

Thanks for this fascinating video. I'm honestly floored by the amount of money this unstable man managed to throw away.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

Am I alone in thinking she died conveniently quickly after the Coronation and before her settlement was due? No mention of previous illnesses? Also who was Charlotte married to? I assume the stillborn that led to her unfortunate death was legitimate?

[@ReadingthePast]

It is pretty convenient, for sure 🧐 Charlotte’s husband, Leopold, is very interesting. He integral in shaping 19th century European monarchy, in fact, he’s credited as a marriage broker for, among others, Victoria and Albert. Maybe I’ll do a video on Charlotte and Leopold.

[@majasrlie1341]

she was married to Leopold I of Belgium

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

@@ReadingthePast Thank you for filling the gap in my ignorance. I must admit I am a bit hazy on the Georgians. They come across like a bad Reality Show! A Charlotte and Leopold would be good. I watched a doc about Victoria and her relationship with her children a few nights ago. We all know she was a lousy Queen and probably a bit of a 'path'/Narcissist, but what she put her kids through was Abuse, nowadays. If she had been a single mom on a council estate Now they would have been taken into care.

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

@@majasrlie1341 Thank you.

[@marianneshepherd6286]

Would love a documentary or film about Catherine, considering what we know of George he might have been as lewd and boisterous as her but being female may have meant that she didn't fit the gendered expectations of that time. Please can you do a series on the Georgian Kings and the relationships they had with their sons x x x

[@diggerfan1936]

Great video as always Dr. Kat!

[@lpronovost84]

Thank you Dr.Katt for your amazing channel

[@lwoods1940]

Thank you so much for your insightful, educational, and entertaining content.

[@TheMogregory]

Great, as always! Do we know the reasons for the lack of support from her mother-in-law the Queen. I seem to remember that she was always at odds with her eldest son so why no support for his wife?

[@ReadingthePast]

Caroline didn’t behave well, which may have shocked Charlotte. Also, mother and son did appear to come to terms by the Regency, they worked together during this period and he was by her side when she died.