Changes

At his own accession in June 1727 George II peremptorily dismissed Walpole; but Caroline persuaded him to recall the minister, and he soon became as devoted to Walpole as his wife was. He came to prefer Walpole to all other ministers, trusted him, and backed him at every crisis.

At his own accession in June 1727 George II peremptorily dismissed Walpole; but Caroline persuaded him to recall the minister, and he soon became as devoted to Walpole as his wife was. He came to prefer Walpole to all other ministers, trusted him, and backed him at every crisis.

As a king he played a secondary role in both domestic and foreign affairs, enjoying the illusion, of ruling as Walpole and senior ministers made the major decisions.  Although unwavering in his personal loyalties, as his support of both Walpole and John Carteret demonstrated, he usually gave way to his advisers if they pressed him strongly enough on policy issues. He aided Walpole in purging the cabinet in 1733, and the same year the king yielded to Walpole's opposition to the War of the Polish Succession; George II wanted Britain to support its allies, the Austrians and Russians but Walpole said no. Henry Pelham (1696–1754) served as chief minister 1743-54.  In 1744, under pressure, the king  dismissed Carteret, his favourite minister; in 1746, he acceded to the demands of his ministers to admit to office William Pitt, whom he despised.   

As a king he played a secondary role in both domestic and foreign affairs, enjoying the illusion, of ruling as Walpole and senior ministers made the major decisions.  Although unwavering in his personal loyalties, as his support of both Walpole and John Carteret demonstrated, he usually gave way to his advisers if they pressed him strongly enough on policy issues. He aided Walpole in purging the cabinet in 1733, and the same year the king yielded to Walpole's opposition to the War of the Polish Succession; George II wanted Britain to support its allies, the Austrians and Russians but Walpole said no. [[Henry Pelham]] (1696–1754) served as chief minister 1743-54.  In 1744, under pressure, the king  dismissed Carteret, his favourite minister; in 1746, he acceded to the demands of his ministers to admit to office William Pitt, whom he despised.   

George loved parades and hunting, and his days were ordered with military precision. He had limited interests off the field. He enjoyed music and was a patron of both Johann Friedrich Heidegger and [[George Frederick Handel]].  

George loved parades and hunting, and his days were ordered with military precision. He had limited interests off the field. He enjoyed music and was a patron of both Johann Friedrich Heidegger and [[George Frederick Handel]].