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- 0001-04-08 (xsd:gMonthDay)
- Rumours of George and Maria's marriage is met with public concern over the Protestant succession, there being a belief in a plot to make Maria, a Catholic, Queen of the United Kingdom. Though a marriage to a Roman Catholic would mean George's exclusion in the line of succession, the marriage is legally void as laid by the Royal Marriages Act 1772 for the marriage was carried out without the consent of the British monarch. George and Maria finally decide to leave to Brighton away from the British public, however Charles James Fox and Richard Sheridan are in hope that the seclusion would pull them apart. George returns to England in hopes of an increased income for him and Maria, however Fox warns him of consequences of such provision given his relationship with a Catholic, and George is implored by Fox and Sheridan to return to Brighton to little avail against George's impatience. George asks Independent MP Nathaniel Newham to introduce George's financial desires in the House of Commons, subjecting Fox and Sheridan to parliamentary scrutiny over George's affairs with Maria. Fox openly denies the marriage, greatly upsetting Maria, citing the trouble the marriage has caused, and she decides to leave him. Amid a threat to Fox's political reputation, Fox leaves for Italy. Meanwhile, Maria is still well received in society, and George is encouraged to meet her again in belief she would be more open to him. This notion proves right, for Maria agrees to return to him. Meanwhile as Prince Frederick returns to England, the King's mental illness is becoming more apparent and concerns begin to arise. Queen Charlotte seeks medical help in fear of the King's mental state, and William Pitt suggests medical treatment by doctors Francis Willis and his son John. Dr Willis has the King confined, with sole authority as his treatment. Concern for the King also breeds concern for the role of head of state; Sheridan proposes the prospect of a regency bill that would allow George to rule as proxy to his father, much to George's interest and Frederick's disagreement. Upon Fox's return to England, George consults him on the matter. Pitt, who has a majority in the House of Commons, supports George as regent however elects to heavily restrict him. However, before the Regency bill could be put to a vote, the King miraculously recovers, allowing Pitt to delay the bill to George's outrage. (en)
- Caroline, George's new 'official' wife and Princess of Wales, is received well and doted on by the British people, unfortunately for George who is wholly unsatisfied with the marriage. Likewise, there is hostility between Caroline and Lady Jersey, one George's mistresses; on the other hand, the King is charmed by his niece, and, by virtue of Parliament, has increased George's allowance to £120,000 a year, though even with this increase, the greater mount of his debts and the ongoing war with the French will guarantee George's debt for years to come, much to the King's delight. Though he feels cheated, George becomes open to he and Caroline tolerating each other for their future comfort, however to no avail. George discovers that Maria, having left for the country, has returned to London, and is further told by Lady Jersey that Caroline is pregnant. Lady Jersey expresses to George her irritation with the impertinence of Caroline, and reveals her gossip of the private life of he and Caroline. George therefore restricts her and is open of his displeasure. Caroline later gives birth to a girl, Princess Charlotte. With a hearty desire to have Caroline away and out of the care of their daughter, George bequeaths all his possession to Maria, the "wife of his heart and soul," in his last will and testament, declaring his lasting love for her; he leaves Caroline a single shilling. Lady Jersey consults William Pitt on the prospect of a separation between George and Caroline on George's behalf. Pitt elects to try and bring the matter to the King, with George demanding separation. The King, however, rejects the prospect on the foundation that George has a duty to bear Caroline, the future queen, more children though the King does agree in turn for George and Caroline to have separate estates. Caroline agrees to this, however demands George acknowledge her as Princess of Wales and future queen, and has Lady Jersey dismissed as her Lady of the Bedchamber. Caroline is virtually given liberty to do what she pleases. George attempts to receive Maria's favour, however though her feelings are unfaltering, Maria refuses him. However, at Frederick's persuasion, Maria agrees to meet him. George subsequently dismisses his mistresses, including Lady Jersey. Maria agrees that if their marriage is validated by the Catholic Church, she will return to him. (en)
- Maria informs George of her wish for them adopt Minnie, a daughter the late George Seymour whom was entrusted with Maria whilst Seymour was abroad. In addition, concerns for the King's health arise once again within the court; the King's physician, Dr Gisborne, is apprehensive of the Willises' methods of treatment, but Frederick, with Queen Charlotte's support, allows the King to be again taken into treatment by the Willises. The King is discovered to be in distress and is plagued with gout; George and his brothers Frederick and Prince William agree that their father is less capable of being head of state, and suggest a reintroduction of the Regency Bill 1789 to Henry Addington, who suggests they consult prime minister William Pitt. George believes the Willises are only driven by financial gain, others around him believing that they wish to control the King. Though the King wished to attend the court drawing room event as desired by his wife the Queen, the King relapses. The Willises agree to return to London and for Gisborne to resume his treatment. As the King begins to recover, he urges George to terminate his relationship with Maria and reconcile with Caroline, who resides in Blackheath amongst a multitude of children, including their own child Charlotte. With Addington and the Queen wary of another relapse, the King is again put under the care of Willis. Meanwhile, the King, enraged, refuses to give royal assent to parliamentary bills until he is released. Whilst a motion is put to Parliament regarding high command for George amidst the planned invasion of UK, Maria's desired adoption of Minnie Seymour is opposed by her father's will executors on the basis of Maria being a Catholic. Lady Isabella Hertford suggests that she instead adopts the child on behalf of Maria, to her relief. Fox and Sheridan informs George the motion was not voted in George's favour, whilst his brother's received positions in high command, outraging George; he tries to appeal to the King, who rejects his military employment through letters George later publishes to the press, upsetting his father. Caroline's desire to adopt a young boy called William Austin makes her vulnerable to attack when rumours arise of her being the boy's biological mother by means of infidelity, rumours that come to George's interest. George, in hopes of being free of his marriage, sends his brother William to coax one of Caroline's companions, Lady Charlotte Douglas, who is partly behind the rumours, to put the account in writing. Lady Douglas confirms these accounts via letter, and William forwards it to the King, who instructs Prime Minister Lord Grenville to form an inquiry of adultery against Caroline as well as the paternity of William Austin. (en)
- Queen Charlotte dies in the company of George, and two years later the King dies in the company of his son Frederick, with George subsequently becoming king. George becomes determined to divorce Caroline on the grounds of infidelity and assembles support in putting the suit to trial as Caroline returns to England to assume her position as queen consort. The trial ends with a majority in favor of Caroline remaining Queen of the United Kingdom and the rejection of the divorce, much to George's dismay. He announces his intent to abdicate the throne in favour of his brother Frederick, however finally decides to remain as king and enjoy his position, beginning with his coronation. (en)
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