George IV (1820–1830) – The Extravagant King Who Gave Us Regency Style
Who Was George IV?
George IV was the eldest son of George III and almost his complete opposite. While his father was nicknamed “Farmer George” and enjoyed a relatively simple family life, George IV loved luxury, fashion, architecture, enormous banquets and spending spectacular amounts of money.
He actually began running the country before becoming king. When George III became permanently ill in 1811, his son took over as Prince Regent, giving us the Regency period. When his father finally died in 1820, the 57-year-old Prince Regent became George IV.
George wasn't a particularly successful or popular king, but he left an extraordinary visual legacy. Buckingham Palace, Regent Street, Regent's Park, Windsor Castle and Brighton's Royal Pavilion all have important connections with him. If you love grand Regency Britain, George IV is your man.
The Prince Who Loved Spending Money
George had expensive tastes and almost no self-control. He bought paintings, furniture, jewellery and clothes, threw enormous parties and accumulated huge debts that Parliament repeatedly had to help settle.
He was also obsessed with appearance. As a young man he was considered handsome and fashionable and became closely associated with the famous dandy Beau Brummell, who helped revolutionise men's fashion towards beautifully tailored, understated clothing.
Unfortunately, George also loved food and alcohol. As he grew older, his waistline expanded dramatically, and caricaturists had an absolute field day portraying the increasingly enormous prince. But while his extravagance made him unpopular, his obsession with beauty also left Britain some magnificent buildings.
The Man Who Helped Create Regency London
George worked closely with architect John Nash, who helped transform London.
Nash created the great ceremonial route from the royal residence towards Regent's Park, including Regent Street, and developed the elegant terraces surrounding Regent's Park. He also transformed Buckingham House into a much grander royal palace.
Much of the beautiful white stucco architecture we associate with Regency London comes from this period. So George may have been terrible at controlling his spending, but London benefited enormously from his expensive taste.
And Then There's Brighton...
George's most outrageous creation was the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.
What began as a seaside retreat was transformed into an extraordinary fantasy palace with Indian-inspired domes and minarets outside and lavish Chinese-inspired interiors.
It looks almost nothing like a traditional British royal palace—which is precisely the point. George wanted somewhere theatrical, exotic and spectacular where he could entertain his friends away from London.
If you want to understand George IV's personality, you could almost skip his biography and simply look at the Royal Pavilion. Extravagant, expensive and completely over the top.
His Disastrous Marriage
George married his German cousin Caroline of Brunswick in 1795, mainly because Parliament would help pay his enormous debts if he married a suitable Protestant princess.
It was a disaster almost immediately. George reportedly disliked Caroline from the moment they met, and the feeling quickly became mutual. They nevertheless produced one daughter, Princess Charlotte, before effectively separating.
When George became king, he was so determined to exclude Caroline that he tried to divorce her and even attempted to prevent her attending his coronation at Westminster Abbey. She turned up anyway. The doors were locked against her. Caroline died just weeks later. Royal family drama doesn't get much more awkward than the queen being refused entry to her own husband's coronation.
The Daughter Who Could Have Changed Everything
George and Caroline's only child, Princess Charlotte, was extremely popular and expected eventually to become queen. But in 1817, aged just 21, Charlotte died after giving birth to a stillborn son. The country was devastated.
Her death also created a royal succession panic. George III had plenty of children, but remarkably few legitimate grandchildren. His unmarried brothers suddenly rushed to find suitable wives and produce heirs. One of those brothers, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, had a daughter in 1819. Her name was Victoria. So George IV's daughter's tragic death indirectly helped put Queen Victoria on the throne.
Three Things to See
Buckingham Palace
George commissioned John Nash to transform the relatively modest Buckingham House into a magnificent royal palace. The project became enormously expensive and George never actually lived there as king. Later monarchs completed and altered the building, and Queen Victoria became the first monarch to make Buckingham Palace her official London residence. But George IV played a huge role in turning the old house into the palace we know today.
Regent Street & Regent's Park
Even the names give you a clue: Regent Street and Regent's Park are named after the Prince Regent—George IV. John Nash designed them as part of his grand plan for Regency London. Walking down Regent Street today, you're following a royal urban-planning project that began more than 200 years ago.
The Royal Pavilion, Brighton
If you have time for a trip outside London, this is George IV at his most outrageous.
With its domes, minarets, dragons, chandeliers and spectacular interiors, the Royal Pavilion feels more like a theatrical fantasy than a British palace. It's probably the single best building for understanding George's personality.
Did You Know? – George IV Was Too Fat for His Coronation Clothes
George IV's coronation in 1821 was deliberately spectacular. He wanted a ceremony to rival Napoleon's and spent an enormous amount of money on it. George wore magnificent robes and an elaborate costume, but by this point he was extremely overweight and reportedly found the whole ceremony exhausting.
His estranged wife Caroline attempted to enter Westminster Abbey to be crowned alongside him but was refused admission. So while thousands watched one of Britain's most extravagant coronations, the queen was outside trying unsuccessfully to get through the door.
Historical Highlights
1762 – George is born at St James's Palace.
1795 – Marries Caroline of Brunswick.
1811 – Becomes Prince Regent because of George III's illness.
1815 – Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo during the Regency.
1817 – George's daughter Princess Charlotte dies.
1820 – George becomes king.
1821 – Holds his spectacular coronation at Westminster Abbey.
1830 – George IV dies without a surviving legitimate child.
Imagine This...
It's the early 1800s and the Prince Regent is spending money as though there is no tomorrow. While Britain is fighting Napoleon, George is commissioning architects, buying paintings, ordering extravagant furniture and entertaining on a spectacular scale. John Nash is reshaping London with Regent Street and Regent's Park, Buckingham House is being transformed into a palace and down in Brighton an ordinary seaside villa is becoming an extraordinary fantasy of domes, dragons and exotic decoration. George will never be remembered as a great political king, but two centuries later visitors are still walking through the London he helped create. The man was extravagant, but his taste left Britain one magnificent inheritance.
Guide's Insider Tip
When you're walking down Regent Street, remember that the “Regent” is George IV. Look at the sweeping curve of the street towards Piccadilly Circus and imagine how extraordinary this grand new development must have seemed in the early nineteenth century.
Then walk through Regent's Park or towards Buckingham Palace and you're continuing through George and John Nash's vision for London. George may not have been a particularly admirable king, but he had an extraordinary eye for architecture and design.
And if your trip takes you to Brighton, don't miss the Royal Pavilion. Of all Britain's royal buildings, it is probably the one where you can most easily look around and think: “Yes. I completely understand the man who built this.”
What Happened Next?
George IV died in 1830 without a surviving legitimate child, so the crown passed to his younger brother William IV. William was another very different character. He had served in the Royal Navy and became known as the “Sailor King.” His short reign would see one of the most important political reforms of nineteenth-century Britain: the Great Reform Act of 1832. But William also had no surviving legitimate children. Waiting behind him was their young niece. Victoria.
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