Changes

George attached himself to [[Charles James Fox]] and the [[Whig Party, Britain|Whigs]] in opposition to his father's Tory ministers. In 1785 Prince George secretly married Mrs. Maria Fitzherbert, a beautiful young widow who was a Roman Catholic. The law of 1701 stipulated that anyone who married a Catholic forfeited his right to the throne. The Prince had a loophole, for a 1772 law his marriage was illegal, since it did not have the king's consent. Mrs. Fitzherbert regarded herself as his wife in the eyes of his church and in her own eyes. She was recognized by all, including the king, as the best influence on George's life.

George attached himself to [[Charles James Fox]] and the [[Whig Party, Britain|Whigs]] in opposition to his father's Tory ministers. In 1785 Prince George secretly married Mrs. Maria Fitzherbert, a beautiful young widow who was a Roman Catholic. The law of 1701 stipulated that anyone who married a Catholic forfeited his right to the throne. The Prince had a loophole, for a 1772 law his marriage was illegal, since it did not have the king's consent. Mrs. Fitzherbert regarded herself as his wife in the eyes of his church and in her own eyes. She was recognized by all, including the king, as the best influence on George's life.

In 1795 a real marriage was arranged with Princess Caroline ((1768-1821), daughter of the Duke of Brunswick and of George III's sister Augusta. George consented to this dynastic necessity in return for yet another grant from Parliament for the payment of his debts. She rejected his request to bring along his latest mistress, Lady Jersey, on the honeymoon. This loveless marriage of an unstable profligate to a giddy woman turned out poorly, with 25 years of bitterness and public dissension, even though they separated after the birth of their only child, Princess Charlotte, in 1796.

In 1795 a real marriage was arranged with Princess Caroline (1768-1821), daughter of the Duke of Brunswick and of George III's sister Augusta. George consented to this dynastic necessity in return for yet another grant from Parliament for the payment of his debts. She rejected his request to bring along his latest mistress, Lady Jersey, on the honeymoon. This loveless marriage of an unstable profligate to a giddy woman turned out poorly, with 25 years of bitterness and public dissension, even though they separated after the birth of their only child, Princess Charlotte, in 1796.

==Regent and King==

==Regent and King==