Profile of the Day: George IV

How are you related to royalty? On this day in 1830, George IV died at the age of 67.

Image: George IV / Wikimedia Commons, Rijksmuseum

Born on August 12, 1762, George was the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. In 1810, he became regent as his father’s health and mental stability deteriorated. He ascended to the throne in 1820 after his father’s death.

Known for his extravagant, indulgent lifestyle and heavy drinking, George was often ridiculed in public for his weight. He spent the last years of his life in seclusion at Windsor Castle and suffered from many health maladies, including gout, dropsy, and frequent bouts of breathlessness. He died on June 26, 1830 at Windsor Castle at he age of 67. He reportedly called out, “Good God, what is this?,” clasped his page’s hand, said “my boy, this is death,” and died. An autopsy later revealed he died from upper gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from the rupture of a blood vessel in his stomach.

Since his only legitimate child, Princess Charlotte of Wales, had died during childbirth, and his next eldest brother Frederick had died in 1827, George was succeeded by his younger brother William IV.

Explore George IV’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the British monarch.

View George IV’s Geni Profile