Facts

George IV

Born in 1762 
Ascended in 1820
Died in 1830, aged 67 
Reigned for 10 years
Married to Mrs. Maria Fitzherbert then Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttell bearing 1 daughter.

George IV's tutor said of him; He will be either the most polished man, or the most accomplished blackguard in Europe - possibly both. He was at least correct in the second half of his statement and there were many that felt George was no man by the end of his reign.

George IV was not one of England's best kings: he was more interested in eating, drinking, gambling and women than in affairs of state. In later life, he complained about gout and other infirmities to an unsympathetic audience. For example, the Duke of Wellington at the time was quoted as saying that there was nothing wrong with the king except what is caused by the effects of strong liquors taken too frequently and in too large quantities. He drinks spirits morning noon and night.

In order to pay off massive debts he had accrued while he was the Prince of Wales he had agreed to marry the king's niece, Caroline of Brunswick. This was despite of the fact that he had already been married to Mrs Fitzherbert in secret, but there was no way in which he could be king and father an heir if he were married to her. It is possible that he was in love with his former wife but since his marriage to Caroline of Brunswick he descended into debauchery and it was only a few months before he formally separated from her. 

When he came to power she demanded the title of Queen, but he refused to allow her to come to his coronation and accused her in court of adultery. Indeed, she had been openly living with an Italian man Bartolomeo Pergami in her exile from Britain. Caroline was acquitted but she died later the following year; her body was taken and buried in Germany with the epitaph Caroline of Brunswick, the injured Queen of England.  When George died, he left no heir to the throne despite his difficult marriage. The throne passed to William - his younger, and not quite so debauched, brother. William was to die soon after in 1837, again leaving no heirs. 

The crown should have passed to George III's third son Edward, the Duke of Kent. However, he had died in 1820 so the crown was given to 18 year old Queen Victoria who was to become one of the most respected of English monarchs. The house changed from the house of Hanover to the house of Saxe-Coburg.