The Coronation of George IV: The Exclusion of Queen Caroline and its Consequences
Featured in Lies, Damned Lies and History by Jodi Taylor
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The Regency period, from 1811 to 1820, had already been marked by significant political and social changes, including the Napoleonic Wars and the beginning of industrialisation. The coronation George IV, who had been Prince Regent for nearly a decade, during his father's illness, was eagerly anticipated. It is most notable though for the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Queen Caroline, his estranged wife.
George IV’s marriage to Caroline of Brunswick on the 8th of July in 1795 was a fraught occasion. On the day, George was drunk and was discovered unconscious in a fireplace, but nine months after the wedding, Caroline gave birth to Princess Charlotte.
He had previously undergone a form of marriage with Maria Fitzherbert, but as this violated the Royal Marriages Act 1772, both George and Maria knew it was not legally valid. Three days after Charlotte's birth, George made out a new will. He left all his property to "Maria Fitzherbert, my wife", while to Caroline he left one shilling.[
The couple were separated for most of their marriage, and their relationship became increasingly hostile. In contrast to George IV’s scandalous behaviour, Caroline was portrayed as a woman of modest means and moral integrity, and this stark contrast only increased her popularity. The reality might have been different though as she was reputed to be promiscuous, unwashed, loud, and had a drink problem.
In 1820, after his father’s death George sought to divorce Caroline through an Act of Parliament. The ensuing public trial attracted widespread sympathy for Caroline and further damaged George IV’s reputation. Public protests highlighted the discontent with his cruelty to his wife. This included only allowing weekly visits to Princess Charlotte due to her alleged adultery. Ultimately, his efforts to annul the marriage failed and Caroline retained her title as queen consort.
Delayed due to legal proceedings, George IV's coronation eventually took place on July 19, 1821. It was an extravagant pageant that cost a staggering £238,000. Preparation and furnishing Westminster Abbey and Westminster Hall cost £16,819, £111,810 was spent on jewels, £44,939 on uniforms, robes and costumes, and £25,184 on the banquet. The total cost was more than twenty times that of the previous event in 1761. He had a new crown, the Coronation Crown of George IV, which contained over 12,000 diamonds specially made.
Traditionally, the queen consort would be crowned alongside the king; however, George IV vowed not to crown Caroline and was determined to prevent her from attending the ceremony. This move was seen as an insult to Caroline and caused great anger amongst her supporters. Determined to assert her rights, she arrived early on the morning of the coronation and attempted several times to enter Westminster Abbey but was barred from doing so. Her exclusion from the coronation sparked widespread public outrage.
The political fallout from Caroline’s exclusion was significant. Members of Parliament, particularly those sympathetic to the cause of reform, used the incident to criticise George IV’s treatment of his wife. The episode was viewed by some as indicative of his broader incompetence as a ruler, further eroding his credibility. Caroline’s exclusion became emblematic of the monarchy’s disconnection from the needs of the people, reinforcing calls for constitutional reform and a more accountable monarchy.
The day after the coronation Caroline fell ill and died three weeks later on 7 August 1821 at the age of 53. There’s speculation that she was poisoned but it may have been an intestinal obstruction or cancer.
Discover how Max and the team from The St Mary’s Institute for Historical Research fared at the coronation of George IV in Lies, Damned Lies and History by Jodi Taylor.
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