Quick Facts
Prinny": England's extravagant king, built palaces, loved art.
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Life Journey
Prince George Augustus Frederick, later George IV, is born to King George III and Queen Charlotte at St. James's Palace, London.
George begins his formal education, tutored by private tutors in subjects ranging from languages to political theory.
George is appointed Prince Regent to rule on behalf of his father, King George III, who is suffering from mental illness.
George meets and secretly marries Maria Fitzherbert, a Catholic widow, which is illegal and invalid under the Royal Marriages Act of 1772.
Under political pressure, George marries Princess Caroline of Brunswick in a lavish ceremony at St. James's Palace.
George and Caroline's only child, Princess Charlotte, is born at The Queen's House (now Buckingham Palace).
George is formally recognized as the Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the British throne.
Formally becomes Prince Regent after his father, King George III, is declared permanently incapacitated.
George commissions the architect John Nash to transform the Royal Pavilion in Brighton into an opulent Oriental palace.
George IV ascends to the throne upon the death of his father, King George III, and is crowned in an extravagant ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
George IV is crowned King of the United Kingdom and Ireland in a lavish and expensive ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
George IV becomes a patron of the arts and supports the founding of the Royal Academy of Arts, promoting British art and artists.
George IV's health starts to deteriorate, suffering from various ailments including gout and obesity.
George IV makes his last public appearance, attending the opening of the Wellington Arch in Hyde Park.
King George IV dies at Windsor Castle, leaving a legacy of patronage of the arts and a controversial personal life.