In Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2, King George III has only brief appearances due to his severe illness. Queen Charlotte is a more prominent character. And is played by James Fleet and Corey Mylchreest in the spin-off, portraying a younger George.
King George III’s three appearances in Bridgerton reveal Queen Charlotte’s interest in Lady Whistledown, a distraction from her husband’s distressing condition. The show explores their romance and relationship dynamic, including his illness.
The True Story of King George Bridgerton Illness
George III’s psychological issues, often simplistically labeled as the “Madness of King George,” have sparked intense discussions. What remains unquestionable, though, is that as he reached middle age, he couldn’t continue as a ruling monarch.
Consequently, his son, George IV, the Prince of Wales, assumed the role of Prince Regent. Regrettably, George III’s lack of clarity and instability rendered him an unsuitable representative for the royal family. This led to his seclusion from the public eye to safeguard the monarchy’s reputation.
In King George III’s later years, he was kept hidden away, much like in Bridgerton. However, unlike the series, Queen Charlotte had reportedly ceased to dine with him. They slept in separate bedrooms and didn’t spend time alone together from 1804 onward.
By 1813, the time depicted in Bridgerton, it’s believed that Queen Charlotte had completely stopped seeing George. His health was severely compromised, with extended periods of illness, initially attributed to porphyria. He was kept confined in Kew for his own well-being. After his last relapse in 1810, the King never recovered and passed away in 1820.
King George III’s Illness in Bridgerton
In Bridgerton, King George III’s role is primarily offscreen, but his illness is based on historical records. These accounts describe his illness as marked by symptoms like convulsions, frothing at the mouth, incoherent rambling, bouts of depression, and, later in life, the loss of hearing, vision, memory, and the ability to walk. The death of his favorite daughter, Princess Amelia, plunged him into a deep depression from which he never recovered.
In 1811, King George III enacted the Regency Act, allowing his son to serve as regent. Queen Charlotte assumed the role of George’s legal guardian as the king’s mental and physical health continued to decline until his passing in 1820.
The exact cause of King George III’s mental condition has been a subject of debate among historians and medical experts. Traditionally, the prevailing belief was that he suffered from porphyria, a rare liver disorder, possibly exacerbated by arsenic exposure.
While there is substantial historical evidence supporting the porphyria theory, recent years have seen alternative hypotheses emerge. In the past decade or so, scientists, medical professionals, and historians have proposed that King George III might not have had porphyria, but instead a combination of bipolar disorder, chronic mania, and dementia.
Dr. Peter Garrard of St George’s, University of London has gone as far as to assert that “The porphyria theory is entirely discredited. This was a psychiatric illness” [via BBC].
What Queen Charlotte Gets Right About How King George was Treated?
King George III endured severe and medically-sanctioned treatments aimed at “improving his condition,” as shockingly described by Queen Charlotte. These treatments were not voluntary; he was forcibly relocated to Kew by a team of court physicians and the leading mental health expert, Dr. Francis Willis. Dr. Willis held misguided beliefs that mental illness stemmed from overexcitement and could be remedied with restrictive and calming measures.
In contrast to the portrayal in Queen Charlotte, during these torturous treatments, George’s wife and daughter were also present at Kew. While Queen Charlotte depicts the extent of these treatments, some of the horrifying details are left to the imagination, arguably making them even more distressing.
Queen Charlotte Settles The Debate on King George’s Illness
While the long-standing belief was that King George suffered from porphyria, given the use of arsenic in the “cutting edge” treatments he underwent, more contemporary theories suggest he may have had bipolar disorder and perhaps schizophrenia, which aligns with Queen Charlotte’s perspective.
George’s condition appears to be a lifelong struggle, concealed to protect the royal image. As a king, George couldn’t display any vulnerability, and his genuine medical issues had to be either cured or hidden at any expense. Moreover, this is why he kept it hidden from Charlotte.
Queen Charlotte aligns with the modern theories regarding King George’s “madness,” emphasizing the perspective that he grappled with severe psychological issues, including hallucinations, absences, and episodes of mania.
Although George’s doctor initially recommends a more sympathetic approach involving dialogue to address his problems, this contemporary therapeutic approach is sadly replaced by physical abuse, exacerbating the King’s condition.
Wrapping Up
In Bridgerton, King George III’s character is portrayed briefly. But, his severe illness and historical background are central to the plot, reflecting debates about his condition and the challenging treatments he endured.
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