The DISASTROUS Wedding Of King George IV & Queen Caroline

The DISASTROUS Wedding Of King Geroge IV
In those days, a crying prince at his wedding wasn't seen as a sweet display of emotion. Instead, it hinted at deeper troubles. George's tears on that day were more than just a show of nerves; they were a public sign of his unhappiness about marrying Caroline, a woman he barely knew.
To be fair, Caroline wasn't exactly thrilled about marrying George either. Their union wasn't born out of love but was arranged by influential people who wanted to strengthen alliances between powerful families. Unlike other royal couples who might have hidden their true feelings behind a façade of politeness, George and Caroline openly displayed their mutual dislike for each other from the very beginning. Their disdain for each other would persist throughout their lives, even after Caroline's passing.
Their story began with George's mountain of debts and Caroline's longing for adventure. George, then 32 years old, had accumulated substantial debts due to his extravagant lifestyle, which included a fondness for wine and women. In a bid to clear his debts, a deal was struck: if he married a suitable Protestant princess, his debts would be settled. Considering his debts amounted to over £600,000, it was an offer too good to refuse.
Caroline, aged 25, emerged as the leading candidate for this arranged marriage. She had the right connections - she was George's cousin, and her father, the Duke of Brunswick, was a valuable ally in Britain's conflicts with France. Caroline herself was flattered by the attention she received, like many young princesses before her. Despite never having met George, they agreed to marry, and Caroline set off for England at the end of 1794.
However, even before they met, there were complications. George had previously entered into a secret marriage with Maria Fitzherbert, which wasn't recognized under the law but was widely known. Caroline, too, had rumors swirling around her past relationships.
As the wedding plans progressed, more issues arose. Lord Malmesbury, tasked with escorting Caroline to the wedding, noted in his diary her lack of hygiene and manners. Despite these concerns, Caroline was presented to George, who immediately sought solace in a glass of brandy.
Caroline, not one to hold her tongue, wasted no time in critiquing her future husband's appearance and size. Their strained relationship reached new lows when George appointed his mistress, Lady Jersey, to serve as Caroline's Lady of the Bedchamber. Their first formal dinner together turned into a battleground of sharp words between Caroline and Lady Jersey.
Their wedding day, meant to symbolize unity and joy, instead became a precursor to a turbulent and unhappy marriage. From tears at the altar to sharp words at the dinner table, George and Caroline's union was marked by discord and bitterness, serving as a cautionary tale of the pitfalls of arranged marriages and unchecked ambition.
Their wedding day was supposed to be a fairy tale, set against the opulent backdrop of St. James’s Palace on April 8th. The esteemed King George III and Queen Charlotte presided over the ceremony, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Moore, officiating.
In the midst of this regal splendor, the bride, Caroline of Brunswick, donned a magnificent ensemble - a gown adorned with silver tissue and delicate lace, complemented by a regal cape crafted from velvet and ermine. Her entourage of four bridesmaids, including Lady Mary Osborne and Lady Charlotte Spencer, added to the ceremonial grandeur. On the opposite side, distinguished groomsmen and the groom himself, Prince George, made their appearance.
However, amidst the ceremonial pomp, there was an unsettling undercurrent. Prince George, fueled by his penchant for excess, was inebriated to the point of stumbling. He hesitated to participate in the proceedings until his father intervened, and tears streamed down his face as the ceremony unfolded.
Following the vows, the atmosphere failed to lighten during the reception at the Queen’s Apartments. George, far from the jovial spirit expected of a groom, remained distant and detached.
As expected, the details of their wedding night were far from romantic. Caroline, whispered to have had dalliances before arriving in England, candidly remarked that her new husband spent the night sprawled in the fireplace.
Despite this tumultuous start, their union bore fruit in the form of a daughter, Princess Charlotte. Yet, their marital discord only intensified with time. George and Caroline lived estranged lives, their animosity towards each other spilling into both private and public spheres, particularly in disputes over their daughter's upbringing.

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